In order to reinvent yourself…remember what you love and become freakin obsessed with it!
I made a vision board manifestation at the beginning of January. The first thing I wrote down was to “explore my own town of Issaquah, Wa.” We have lived here 6 years but I always feel like there is a trail I’ve never heard of or a park I’ve never seen.
Under the headline ‘EXPLORE MY OWN TOWN” I wanted to really bring this to life – so I started googling “hikes, trails and lakes in Issaquah, Wa” I wrote down the outdoor adventures I had never been on. I went further with resturants I had never eaten at, classes I’ve wanted to take (like glass blowing!) and community events and festivals I had never gone to.
My 3 kids are constantly changing also, sometimes they don’t even remember that we have gone somewhere, so going back to even old favorites has been ‘new’ again to them!! Below are some cool local spots to explore with your kids. If you don’t live in Issaquah, I challenge you to do the same thing in your area. Check out areas you have never been for physical activities with the kids, or go explore the same spots at different times of day!
Yellow Lake and Beaver Lake Trails
Yellow Lake Loop Trail – When I searched local lakes, I had never walked around Yellow Lake. I don’t often hang out in other neighborhoods at all, and this one is in Klahanie. I had passed it many times when my little ones were in kindergarten at Chllenger, but never even thought to stop for a stroll. The trail around Yellow Lake is perfect for an evening stroll, with little to no incline. The Yellow Lake iteself that you walk around is this 1.6 mile round trip adorable pond/lake that has a long wooden floating dock. Families of ducks swim around ducking thier heads underwater amoung the lilly pads. Sound perfect? It is! This lake would be perfect to jog around.
Beaver Lake Park Trail– We go to this spot every year. But every year is just different. The kids get bigger and this year was all about me! They are old enough now to hang out in a grassy area with the snacks I bring, while I take the hike that connects the lake with the dog parks. Eddie and I just get lost in the canopy like trail that is only a 1mile long.
Poo Poo Point
Okay don’t kill me! Yes I’ve lived in Issaquah 6 years and have never hiked Poo Poo Point. Just like I had never done the ‘Tram’ in Albquerque or gone up in a hot air balloon during the Balloon Fiesta. Heights freak me out! But I finally got the nerve and I also wanted to challenge myself with the 7 mile round trip hike. It was a big challenge for me – 4 miles straight up, and when I say STRAIGHT UP – think climbing stairs for 4 miles straight! But the reward… ahhh the sweet reward…. of making it to the top of that mountain is incredible! Not to mention the hike down is almost all down, so its so relaxing. I went with my teen only and it was a great day to bond. I literally lost 3lbs from doing that hike, I was tan and felt like pretty accomplished afterward.
Grand Ridge Trail
Grand Ridge trail is a trail we always walk in our neighborhood. It’s a paved trail that connects the lower part of the highlands with the upper part of Grand Ridge Elementary and the ‘turf fields’. But recently started taking the unpaved trail behind all our houses. I had no idea it is actually a 8 mile trail system that is completely shaded, fairily easy for the kids and just as good of a hike as getting in the car and driving somewhere. It is even paved in some parts that intersect with the neighborhoods. I just love it and I can’t believe i have been walking a tiny part of it – the whole thing is amazing! Oh not to mention even the weeds on this one are beautiful. Today we saw one that looked like aliens planted it! haha! Check it out in the picture slider above.
Pick up a new sport… tennis
I bought the kids tennis rackets one year. They sat in the garage untouched. Recently bored we went to the garage to see what we could find to entertain us. “Let’s go plan tennis” one of the kids yelled. Why not? It was so much fun for the kids they actually wake up some days at 6am so they can beat anyone to the courts!
Crafting
I’m not gonna lie, I’m actually not a good crafter. People think I’m soooo creative and i must be an amazing crafter. Well… not like my mom or my grandma. They could literally make your baby a blanket and an outfit by hand. They can make beautiful blankets, and sew. I’m a fake artist and crafter! haha! I do paint my numbers and turn existing items into new items. And yes.. I can crochet.. although I’ve never actually completed anything. But who cares! Sometimes just color therapy is so healing, even if you are painting someone else’s art. I don’t care, be inspired.
Check out more of my blogs below!
Issaquah Adventures 