Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

No matter that it was just 40 degrees out. No matter that the wind was blowing about 10 kt and the wind chill blew through my coat and wool scarf as I walked the boardwalk trail at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.

Just about 6 miles north of Olympia, WA, this refuge is under construction in the site of an old farm community. Two barns, built in the 1930s, mark the history of this land. In this rich delta soil, the farmers grew apples and raised cattle and pigs. In the 1970s, the National Wildlife Refuge got the land and began reclaiming it as protected wetlands.

I was at the refuge and I was happy. What a perfect place to walk off some of the Thanksgiving indulgence calories!

Osprey. Canada Geese. Chickadees. Pintail Ducks. Glaucous Gulls. I was in great company.