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

Flying Heritage Collection -- Paine Field -- Everett, WA

    My grandfather came into town from Minnesota last week to visit; he's been a pilot for over 50 years. My husband and I always like taking Grandpa on flying-related outings whenever he's in town. Last year we explored the Future of Flight together and he's visited the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in the past. This year we needed something different. Lucky for us we recently heard about Paul Allen's airplanes at Paine Field in Everett: The Flying Heritage Collection. When we arrived at the Flying Heritage Collection, we were escorted back through history and it has now become one of our favorite museums.

A look at the Paul Allen's historic WWII collection of war-time airplanes

The Flying Heritage Collection 

    Next to all of the giant Boeing hangars, Paul Allen's hangar doesn't appear very big.  But, once inside the museum hangar, you'll find they have fit 16 aircraft--mostly from the World War II era-- two WWII army tanks, and two missiles.  They also have a replica of SpaceShipOne, the first private-venture rocket ship. State of the art restoration techniques have been used to refurbish these vintage airplanes and other artifacts. Many of the planes have stories. For example, the Messerschmitt BF 109 E-3 (Emil), was found in several pieces buried in sand along the English Channel by a man walking the beach in the late 1980s. With time and the right replacement parts, plus liberal funding, it has been returned to its original form. The planes look as sharp as they did when they were manufactured over 70 years ago.

The WWII tanks at the museum--yes they can still fire and they have armor that's a good 3 inches thick

Free Fly Days
    Our tour was lead by a docent, Jack.  Jack was extremely well-prepared and superbly informed about each exhibit in the museum. One of the first things Jack told us was that all of the planes were in flying condition and the all tanks could still be driven and fire ammunition, making this more of a functional collection than simply a museum. As we walked around in the museum, mechanics were working on several of the planes, ensuring that they would be in good operating condition for the yearly Free Fly Days that happen every summer. The "Free Fly Days" don't afford the public rides in the plane, but allow you to come and be part of history by witnessing the operation and flight of these historic planes as experienced pilots take off and land the planes just outside the hangar.

Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk: it really was painted with a shark face back during WWII

Plane Stories

    Thanks to our docent we learned a great deal about the story behind each plane.  Jack offered not only information about the make and model of the plane, but the history of the individual aircraft that stood before us. Every plane narrative was completely unique. From how the plane was used in the war, to what each country wanted to accomplish with their aircraft, to when and how the plane was found and eventually bought by Paul Allen to be restored.  The following is one that captivated us and we wanted to share with you.

The Night Witches

    The "Night Witches" were female Russian pilots who flew PO-2 biplanes during WWII. These bomber pilots were part of a unit that was entirely operated by women. As you know, for women to fly in direct combat was extremely rare at this time in history. The Soviet Union was the first country to allow women in combat after Stalin approved a plan to use this regiment of young women against the invading Germans.  Many of these female pilots were teenagers at the time. The "Night Witches" would fly low over the German soldiers, with the darkness of night on their side, and conduct daring raids on the Germans. They would fly the PO-2 close to the ground, cut off its engine, so as not to attract attention, and release their bomb load as they glided.
    While the Night Witches didn't end up causing too much damage, their incessant bombing missions kept the Germans up all night, and reportedly stressed and demoralized the German troops. The German troops were also put out by the fact that these were women conducting the raids, and thus they gave them the name, "The Night Witches." These Russian pilots earned high honors in Russia as being "Heros of the Soviet Union" during the war.

 

The PO-2 flown by "The Night Witches" during WWII in Soviet Russia

Sworn To Secrecy

    Jack told us that even though the Night Witches were seen as heros, they had been sworn to secrecy after the war and were forced to resume their lives as housewives when the war concluded, never to unveil the fact that they were pilots, let alone that they had flown in the war. It wasn't until the late 1980's or 1990's that these female Russian soldiers were able to tell their story. You'll learn even more about the "Night Witches" at the museum when you visit.

Curtis JN-4D Jenny air-craft manufactured in 1918--Amelia Earhart flew a plane like this one 

Back To The Collection

    We highly recommend asking for a tour guide when you arrive.  Your docent will make the history of the airplanes come to life in a way that they may not otherwise. My grandfather, who has studied and known WWII aircraft for many years, said that he learned a great deal from our docent. We are looking forward to returning to the Flying Heritage Collection for their Free Fly Days to hear the planes' motors roar and watch history soar. 

Aircrafts in the Collection 

•  Curtiss JN-4D Jenny 

•  Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk

•  Fieseler Fi 156-C2 Storch 

•  Focke-Wulf Fw190D-13 Dora 

•  Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat 

•  Hawker Hurricane Mk.XIIb 

•  Ilyushin Il-2M3 Shturmovik

•  Messerschmitt163B Komet 

•  Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Emil 

•  Mikoyan MiG-29UB Fulcrum

•  Mitsubishi A6M3-22 Reisen (Zero) 

•  Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa Oscar 

•  NorthAmerican P-51D Mustang 

•  PolikarpovI-16 Type 24 Rata 

•  Polikarpov U-2/Po-2 

•  RepublicP-47D Thunderbolt 

•  SupermarineSpitfire Mk.Vc 

Artifacts

•  Avro Lancaster B Mk.I

•  Fieseler Fi 103 V-1 

•  Fieseler Fi103R (Reichenberg) 

•  Flak 37 88mm Anti-TankGun

•  Jagdpanzer 38(t) (Hetzer)

•  KMDB (Main DesignBureau) T-34/85

•  Scaled CompositesSpaceShipOne 
Newly added pieces include a collection of popular WWII sidearms carried by many pilots in their aircraft to offer some defense in the case of a crash-landing behind enemy lines.  These include the venerable Colt M1911A1, the German 9mm Luger P08 pistol carried by many of the German officers and the 9mm Walther P38 pistol.  Some of these models are still actively used today in militaries around the world. 

Polikarpov I-16 Type 24 "Rata"--this was a very sturdy plane that could handle being shot at much longer than many other planes

Things To Know

• Hours: Open daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• This is a great outing to take your kids on, especially if they're studying WWII history in school
• Free parking on-site
• Admission fees: Adults $12, Seniors/Military $10, Youth (6-15 years) $8, Children (5 and under) Free
• Free Fly Days: There's usually one in June and in July, and a couple in August and in September—they take out different planes on different days

Directions
   From I-5 take the exit to Highway 525 toward the Mukilteo Ferry
   Highway 525 will become the Mukilteo Speedway
   Turn right onto Beverly Park Road 
   Follow the "Flying Heritage Collection" Signs to the parking lot
   End at: Paine Field 3407 109th Street SW Everett, WA 98204

The "Jenny"--used as a military trainer during WWI and as an airshow plane

There's nothing like experiencing the "real-deal"!

Head on out Around Puget Sound...and Beyond