Yellowstone Trail: Seattle to Boston -- Red Brick Road Redmond, WA

    Not long ago, we were talking with one of our neighbors about the adventures we've gone on for our blog. His excitement level began to rise as the conversation continued because he hadn't heard of many of the places we had blogged about. After saying, "Thanks for the tips," he started wracking his brain to think of cool places that he's heard of in our area, but has never checked out during his 40 years of living in the Washington State.
   The destination he thought of sounded more like a myth than something that could have actually existed. "The Yellowstone Trail," he said, "I think it's out in Duvall somewhere, but I've never gone. Supposedly back in the early 1900's the road went all the way from here to Yellowstone National Park." Our eyes lit up, but with some skepticism. How could, and why would, there be a trail going from Seattle to Yellowstone Park at that point in history? We were determined to find answers, and thus began our Yellowstone Trail journey.

Map of the Yellowstone Trail, credited to the Yellowstone Trail Association

The History of the Route

    Through the wonders of the internet, we learned that the Yellowstone Trail was indeed real, and not only did it go from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park, but all the way to Boston Massachusetts. It was the first automobile road in the northern part of the United States that went from coast to coast. The trail was formed in 1913 and was active until about 1930. The Yellowstone Trail was made possible by a grassroots organization, called the Yellowstone Trail Association, which was made up a group of mid-westerners who were tired of not having good, all-weather government roads to use. Together, they pressured the government to create better roads as cars became more popular. Decision-makers came to the conclusion that having a national route that took drivers through the scenic Yellowstone National Park made the most sense. (Learn more from the active members of the Yellowstone Trail Association.)  

The one-mile authentic remnant of the Yellowstone Trail in Redmond, WA

The Yellowstone Trail Today

    We set out on a cloudy wet winter morning to the historical trail with our jackets and chocolate lab. Google Maps and Bing informed us that we were looking for Red Brick Road (196th NE Ave.) in Redmond, just off of Redmond/Fall City Rd--does Red Brick Rd. remind you of The Wizard of Oz? Yeah, it did for us too. As we came into the valley after driving through downtown Redmond, we knew we had almost arrived when we spotted an old farm house we'd seen in a photo online taken in 1975 of the trail--the same farm house still remains today.

    We chose to drive the authentic Red Brick Road first, as it's only a mile long at this point. While bumping along we imagined what it would have been like to be on this exact route in a Model T nearly 100 years ago. The road still maintains the same speed limit as it did back in 1913--25 mph, and we have to tell you, even in today's cars, on a brick road, 25 mph seems pretty fast! We enjoyed the countryside: the horses, donkeys, Great Blue Heron, miniature horses, wetlands, and farm houses. It really is scenic. The rest of the Yellowstone Trail technically still exists, but the majority of the other portions have been repaved and turned into highways and residential streets. 

The Red Brick Rd. really is quite picturesque as you drive along--that's golden grass in a nature preserve in the background

    When you arrive, breath in the country-fresh air and wrap your mind around the history. This was the only way to travel from Seattle to the East Coast nearly a century ago. 

The only identifying sign you'll find at the Yellowstone Trail landmark in Redmond

It Was Worth It
    After driving the trail, we jogged it with our dog, who decided that this was an extra-specially good idea. We enjoyed taking the Yellowstone Trail at a slower pace and thoroughly appreciating the scenery around us. When the road turned back into asphalt, we have to admit, we weren't ready for it. You just can't find brick roads around here, and certainly not with this kind of history. The Yellowstone Trail marks an important time in the development of our country's highway system and it's just outside the city. You don't always have to go far to find something new and different.

Our chocolate lab after our jog, loving the trail and loving the exercise

Things To Know:

• To find the Yellowstone Trail: Turn left off of Redmond Way (Highway 202) going toward Fall City onto NE 196 NE Ave. (or Red Brick Rd.) the trail will connect you to NE Union Hill Rd.
• There is one small historical landmark sign that you might miss if you aren't looking for it, right after the road turns into a brick road
• You can drive, ride your bike, walk, or jog on the trail
• The brick road portion of the trail is one-mile long

Bring your dog and go enjoy the historic Yellowstone Trail

Not many people know the Yellowstone Trail exists--go make it your own!

Head on out Around Puget Sound...and Beyond

Holiday Time -- Molbak's Nursery at Christmas -- Woodinville, WA

    Molbak's Nursery in Woodinville was not the first place we thought of when we were looking for a holiday-related adventure this December. My husband's mother, who is a garden designer, was the one who suggested we make the trip to the nursery this year to fill ourselves with some good-ol' Christmas spirit http://www.molbaks.com/.
    For many years we thought that Molbak's was a place that only garden enthusiasts could truly enjoy. But our preconceived notions were put to shame when we arrived and walked into their winter-time paradise at the nursery.

Molbak's has stunning displays of holiday colors, plants, and decorations

    For those who haven't been before, Molbak's is huge--they've connected dozens of greenhouses together to create a warm environment with flowers and plants of all varieties. Their holiday arrangements are fantastic--we couldn't stop snapping pictures next to all of the snowmen, poinsettias, and elaborately decorated Christmas trees.

 The jolly snowman wishing everyone Happy Holidays, with vibrant colored plants all around him

    One of Molbak's traditions for the last 40 years has been to serve free Danish Kringle that's from Larsen's Dansish Bakery in Ballard http://www.larsensbakery.com/ and coffee to all their customers. Yes, we really do like free things. The best part is...this Danish Kringle is the most amazing pastry either of us had ever tasted! They'll be serving the Kringle and coffee from 11am to 3pm every day until Dec. 23rd.

 Danish Kringle--the most incredible pastry we've ever had (get a box for $13)

    You can also buy your Christmas tree at the nursery. They have lots to choose from. If you get inspired you can even create a display that looks something like this at your house...

 Another beautiful holiday scene at Molbak's

    There were more free samples--this time of Ice Apples. Ice Apples are harvested after the first frost to give them an even juicier and sweeter taste. These are Fuji apples that are left on the trees until late October and harvested in Wenachee, WA.

 Samples, samples, we love free samples

    The nursery has an extensive gift shop, full of lots of holiday items. We've always been enchanted by the miniature Christmas villages. This one had the set up of the town from "A Christmas Story", thus the leg lamp in the background.

 "A Christmas Story" village--Molbak's had an extensive collection

    Molbak's is a very kid friendly and dog friendly store, other than dogs aren't allowed in the in-store cafe. It seemed as though everyone was enjoying their time there. 

    Take note that Molbak's has lots of events that happen at this time of year. Many are free or are less than $10 per person for admission http://www.molbaks.com/events.html. 

    What caught us most by surprise was to find a plethora of tropical plants at the nursery. Banana plants, hibiscus flowers, orchids...we have family that lives in Hawaii so it made us feel a little like we were back in a tropical place for a few seconds to walk through this section of the store. It was fun to mix the tropical feeling with the Christmas-time experience. Thank you Molbak's for having variety.

A hibiscus plant--just one of the many tropical plants at Molbak's

Things To Know:

• Definitely a fun place to come, walk around, and take some good holiday pictures
• They have free Danish Kringle and coffee served from 11am to 3pm everyday until the 23rd of December
• Bring your camera and get your picture taken with Santa from 11am to 3pm on weekends
• Molbak's is a dog-friendly business
• You can get your dose of paradise by walking through their tropical plant section
• There is a cafe with lots of seating
• You can find lots of holiday gifts at the gift shop
• Learn more at http://www.molbaks.com/

Love those winter-time scenes!

Happy Holidays to one and all!
Head on out Around Puget Sound...and Beyond

Extreme Sports -- iFLY Indoor Skydiving -- Tukwila, WA

What it Means to Fly

    Have you ever dreamed of flying? Not the kind of flying where you're encompassed by an airplane--flying where it's just you, up in the air--floating--falling, diving, rising--arms stretched out--feeling the wind against your face...Now there's a place where this dream can become your reality. At iFLY Indoor Skydiving, you will experience lift-off thanks to the fastest wind tunnel in the world, right here in Seattle. http://www.iflyseattle.com/. 

    This is the kind of place that grabs hold of your attention and doesn't let go--we were so curious to learn more about iFLY after the short report done by Komo 4 News not long ago. We contacted iFLY and they were extremely accommodating, giving us a tour of the facility. This article is the compilation of our thrilling adventure, which will so easily become your own adventure. So, prepare to be amazed, and to learn that skydiving isn't something you just cross off your bucket list--it's a sport, and you can come back again and again. 

iFLY is hard to miss as you travel from SeaTac on I-405; it's right next to Southcenter Mall and the tallest, most unique looking building around

The Sport

    When we arrived at iFLY we expected to find an entertainment center, a place where people come to fly once and then tell their friends that they've done it, just like most people do with typical skydiving. Little did we know that we had just stepped into a skydiving arena. A place where avid skydivers come and practice their falls, their technique, and routines for skydiving competitions (yes skydiving competitions--this a competitive sport--we had no idea either!). 

    As we watched the flying instructors soar up and down the 50 ft tall wind chamber we realized that, just like birds, people have to train their body to stay in certain positions on the air to stay balanced; you don't just go into the wind tunnel with a Superman pose and take off. You have to actively fly by changing your position so you go where you want to and it's a work-out. Without a doubt, this is real flying; not just a simulator.

A video we took of a flying instructor who's gotten this good in only a few months; which means you can do it too

The Inspiration
    We met with the owners of iFLY Seattle, Bill and Lysa, and they told us that they have been big into skydiving for nearly 20 years. Lysa said that after the first time she went skydiving, she found herself going 120 mph on freeway from the adrenaline rush she was feeling. Her words of advice, "Make sure you have someone who wasn't skydiving do the driving."
    The couple said that when they first found out that vertical wind tunnels were going commercial, and weren't just serving as military training tools anymore, Lysa and Bill said to each other, "If only we could put one of those in our backyard!" So they did...basically. They said that their kids have gotten so good at the sport that Lysa says,"Sometimes I think they're better than me."
    The best part of the wind tunnel for flying enthusiasts is that the amount time one can fly lasts longer than a regular free-fall from a plane. When skydiving, the free-falling portion, before the parachute, is only about 45 seconds, but once you get good at the wind tunnel, you can fly for several minutes. People don't start out very long in the vertical wind tunnel, because if you do, you'll be pretty sore the next day. But once you've got it down, like the flying instructors do, your muscle memory and strength will allow you to fly longer and truly defy gravity.

Standing inside the flying tunnel with 50 feet of tunnel above, bouncy metal mesh below, and party room in the background--talk about a dream!

Changing Lives
Schools
    iFLY is not only a place to come for fun or sport, but a place to learn and a place where life changing events happen. In a matter of a couple short months, iFLY will begin their educational program, thanks to their education director. Groups of students will be able to come to iFLY on field trips and learn about the practical applications of subjects, like physics, in the real world. For instance, they will learn about terminal velocity and why differently shaped objects or differently weighted objects fall at different rates. Using the vertical wind tunnel as a tool, iFLY will be able to conduct demonstrations of these scientific principles. One of the best parts of the field trip will be that the students (elementary to high school) will also get the chance to fly, which as Lysa tells us, can easily be turned into a language arts assignment as the students write about their exhilarating experience flying.
Making Life Better 
    We found out that the very same day we got our tour of iFLY, a filming group had been there creating a documentary on a paraplegic's life. The gentleman had been an avid skydiver before an accident that made it impossible to move the lower half of his body. iFLY took up the challenge to help this man fly because this is a place where the staff wants to help anyone with an interest in flying get the chance to actually do it. They took the necessary steps to keep him as safe and balanced as possible. The man said that he felt a sense of independence that he hadn't experienced in years. This is extremely representative of iFLY's staff--truly caring individuals who want to make a difference in people's lives.

Everyone should go and try flying least once; if you get hooked, well, you may be back time and time again like this woman http://www.iflyseattle.com/

Behind the Scenes
    While visiting, we had the opportunity to learn how this state of the art wind tunnel really works. We climbed up the side of the building through a series of four levels of ladders and platforms to get to the very top where we could see the four giant turbo jets up close and personal. These jets create the wind for your flying experience. All together, the four jets generate 2400 horsepower of energy (as a frame of reference, a car typically has 150-200 hp--so we're talking heavy duty power). This energy allows for winds up to 230 mph which lifts you onto a cushion of air, giving you the power to fly.

After scrambling up ladders we made it to the top of the building to find the fans that propel the wind for the tunnel and a bird's eye view on the body fliers

What This Means For You
    Many people who come to iFLY make comments like, "I just had a dream last night that I was flying--this is so cool--now I really am!" iFLY recently opened in the middle of August 2011, making it one of the greatest new inventions to come to Seattle in a long time. There are lots of different ways to experience it:

1. You and your friends or family can make a visit to try flying for the first time. The price of admission includes the body suit, the instructors will give you lessons on the correct hand signals to use while flying, you'll be taught basic body positioning, and then fly.
2. You can throw a party here--no matter what the age of the guests, iFLY has a party room and a wicked awesome flying tunnel for you and your guests to enjoy.
3. You and your company can hold a corporate retreat here and use the wind tunnel for team building exercises. There's a large conference room available for experiences like this.
4. You've gone skydiving before and you're ready to perfect your flying abilities, the instructors will actively work with you to achieve your goals.
5. Get in touch with iFLY if you don't fit neatly into one of these boxes...we're pretty sure they'll work with you on what you're interested in doing: info@iFLYseattle.com

A view from outside the tunnel and the seating area around the fly zone

Things To Know:

• Ages 3-93 are welcome to fly
• The first flight session is $60; after that it's $50 per session
• There's plenty of space and seating to watch the fliers soar
• If you're curious about the place, head on over to check it out and watch some other fliers in action
• Find out what flying's really like

Such an adrenaline rush! You have got to try indoor skydiving for yourself! http://www.iflyseattle.com/

Learn all about our flying experience HERE

See you in the sky!
Head on out Around Puget Sound...and Beyond