Welcome to Amelie's Travel Pages

Hello my name is Amelie and these are my travel pages. On this site I plan to recount my travels. I will cover both local and distant destinations and hopefully provide some useful tips for the new travelers.

Today, I want to cover my trip to Northwest Trek (http://www.nwtrek.org/).

The day started off with promise. Before we traveled three miles from our home in Snoqualmie, we saw a Black Bear dash across the road. This was the first time I'd ever seen a black bear. At first, I mistook it for a large dog.

After the excitement of the Black Bear, it was a lot of trees, trucks and bridges. I pointed out as many of these interesting sights to my parents as I could. "Tall trees", I remarked every few miles, but my parents seemed disinterested. Have they lost their passion for the wonders all around us? My mother got more excited later when she saw some horses. She loves horses.

If you live in the Seattle area, the trip to Northwest Trek can take some time. Be sure to bring a book and you favorite stuffed animal. When my parents got bored with me pointing out the tall trees, I turned to reading Dora the Explorer. I enjoy her adventures quite a bit. I just wish she would stop trying to teach me Spanish.

Eventually, we arrived at the park just before it opened. I recommend arriving early before the lines begin. We were able to catch the first tram of the day. The air was still cool so the animals were still very active. As the day warms, the animals seek shelter in the cooler spots and curtail much of their activity.

The tram ride was fantastic! We saw Bison, Elk, Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Trumpeter Swans, a Wood Duck, and a rare Turtle (the name of which escapes me at the moment). The driver/tour guide seemed very knowledgeable.

After the tram ride, we went to look for the local mammal exhibit that featured Beavers, Raccoons, and Fischers. This where the trip took a turn for the worse. I tripped and fell on my knee which opened up a recent injury. It was quite painful. I informed my parents of the discomfort, but I learned to my dismay that they were unprepared with appropriate supplies. How could they forget bandaids? Fortunate for me a good samaritan passing by at the time did come prepared and came to the rescue. This is the tip of the trip, when traveling bring bandaids and have a first aid kit near by. You never know when you or someone around you might need it.

On the way home we stopped at Pizza Hut. This was my first trip to this establishment. My father explained it was one of the largest pizza chains in America, but to this point I'd never heard of them. I found the pizza pleasant. My father appeared to have an alergic reaction to the hot wings he was eating. His face turned flush and he was sweating more than usual. He said he was ok, but I was concerned.

I didn't see much of the way home. I napped while my parents struggled against red light after red light on highway 161. When I awoke we were home. It was a great day.

So remember, have a first aid kit nearby and always carry band aids. If you are a toddler, you are going to need them.

Until next time, keep on keeping on. (I don't know what that means but my Dad said it might be a good way to end the column. I 'll try it out until I can find something better).