Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
#Bicycling Washington State – 3 Favorite Trails – a Mountain, An Ocean, and a River
I’ll start with the one closest to home, the Foothills Trail next to the Carbon River, through pastures and small towns, with views of Mt. Rainier. The 21-mile paved trail is built on top of an old railroad bed. We loved it.
The 8.2-mile Discovery Trail is on Washington’s Coast on the Long Beach Peninsula and runs next to the Pacific Ocean, from Long Beach to Ilwaco through Cape Disappointment State Park. Perhaps our favorite.
Last but not least is the Apple Capital Loop Trail. It runs 22 miles beside the Columbia River in Wenatchee, a great place to ride a bike, and worth a trip if you haven’t been there.
We loved riding our bikes for many, many years, in local parks, regional trails, even upgrading to e-bikes a few years ago.
But if you ride long enough, you’re bound to go over eventually (we both did at one time or another, no harm done.) And since we don’t bend quite as good as we used to, we figured it was time to hang it up.
We sold our bikes last summer, opting instead for long walks along these and many other wonderful trails in the neighborhood. It’s all good.
Sharing with Sunday Stills #Bicycling
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Wow, amazing bike paths you’ve encountered, Susanne! The first image of Mt Rainier from the path is beyond stunning! Once I get a bike rack, I’d love to spend time at my cousin’s in Bellevue and check out some of those bike trails. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Terri. 🙂 That was a special trail indeed! There are many more, but these are probably my favorites, hard to beat Mt Rainier, the Columbia River, and the Pacific Ocean!
All iconic PNW sights!
Some beautiful and very civilized trails, especially that Discovery Trail. I gave up my bike too. My wrists didn’t appreciate the activity!
The Discovery Trail was probably our favorite. The year before we sold bikes, we both went over, and the wrists and hands took the brunt! Thought it was time to move on. ☺️
Lovely trails, whether you cycle or walk. Have a wonderful summer, Susanne xx
Thanks so much, Jo. Have a great summer, too!
I don’t cycle but if I did I know I’d love the scenery on these trails, especially the Discovery Trail!
Thanks, Sarah! We love the Discovery Trail! And fortunately it’s great for walking, too!
Those trails look really neat. I do agree that there probably comes a time where it’s just not possible anymore.
Thanks, Kirstin. We both took a spill in the past couple years, and decided we’d do better without the wheels! ☺️
Sorry to hear that you sold your e-bikes, but the reason for that is understandable. They got you out to some lovely places at least.
Best wishes, Pete.
We LOVED riding bikes for many years and in some ways, I miss it. But we each took a spill in the last couple years, mostly while coming to a stop, so nothing major. And all of these are great for walking too, so that seemed the safer option for us.
The views of Mt. Rainier are stunning. We used to ride our bikes on an old railroad bed turned bike path in Prescott. The only thing missing was Mt. Rainier. I love the Columbia River views, too. Those are all home to me. We lived in Portland for years, and my first husband was from Seattle. You’ve made me a bit homesick, Susanne! 🙂 Vince wants to sell our e-bikes, too. That makes me sick sick.
Thanks for dropping by, Marsha. 😊 There are many wonderful bike trails in Washington, and these are definitely among the best! Do you ever miss living in the NW or are you happy to have less rain and more sunshine? 🌦 I miss riding bikes, but after we each took a spill we realized how easily we could break, and are just as happy walking the trails! 😄
I love the NW. My brother still lives in Portland, so I get up there about twice a year. We usually take a drive or two, but no bike-riding. I like to meet with Terri Webster Schrandt, Miriam Hurdle, and Diana Peach if they are all available. This last time, I had time only to help with taxes and take a few short walks around his neighborhood.
I fell on my hip a couple of years ago. The same week, I stepped down hard on a step that had a brick on it that I didn’t see. Since that time, my hip has gone from mere arthritis to bone on bone. Vince is scared to even let me near the e-bikes. I thought it would be great here in the valley – flat surfaces everywhere, but, like you, I can’t risk falling.
Yikes! I actually fell twice in the last few years. Both times it was when coming to a stop, so I was going very slow. Even so, when I put my hand down to brace myself, I felt it in my hand and wrist. And learned later it’s very common to break a wrist this way. And e-bikes can be particularly dangerous, so I agree with Vince. 🙂
He took a hard fall on his a few years ago. I know that scared him.