We got a late start on our weekend paddle, concerned about the weather forecast which predicted showers and possibly some wind. The chances were that we'd encounter a little of both. However, we had rain-gear along and decided to give Rapjohn a try.Lake Rapjohn is a small round lake that has only a couple of homes nesting up on the hills overlooking the lake. I really liked that. We've canoed this lake several times over the years, and I've thought that of all the places I've seen in the Puget Sound area, that this lake was one of my favorites.
A few years back, we were in the habit of doing weekend hikes on Mt. Rainier, and taking afternoon excursions in the car, just to explore. One afternoon, eight years ago, we parked at the little public beach at Rapjohn, and watched some canoers paddling among the reeds and water lilies at the far end of the lake. I said to George, "I'd like to be where they are, doing what they are doing. That looks fun!" As the couple paddled along, it looked so idyllic and peaceful, and I wondered what the view was like over where they were. It was right then and there that I decided to get a canoe.
I cannot believe that it became such a passion in our lives, with almost a paddle every weekend. We've paddled in all kinds of weather - even when it was snowing. But, if there is wind, we find a sheltered cove, to stay out of the wind. Of course, we had to learn that the hard way.
When we first got our canoe, Lake Rapjohn was one of the first places we paddled. We were quite excited to unload it, push away from shore, and head over to the little farm across on the other side of the lake. But, we made the mistake of going straight across it, rather than paddle along shore. All the tree cover generally will shelter water along the beach, and when we got into open water the wind pushed us completely down to the north end of the lake. I thought for sure we were going to swamp the canoe, and find ourselves bogged down in a foot of murky sediment. We leaned into the wind, pushed ourselves along the cattails, and finally got out of the wind.
This is the third time we've paddled Lake Rapjohn, and each time we say we'll never do it again because it is such a small lake, and if the wind is pushing you along, you've got it completed in about 40 minutes. But, we did it on the weekend because it was on the way to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, our afternoon destination. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, managed by MetroParks of Tacoma, is a treasure for wildlife enthusiasts. This 723-acre park has a little bit of everything: lakes, trails, meadows and plenty of animals. It is home to more than 200 North American animals.
At Northwest Trek, we planned to take the trolley throughout the hillsides of a natural habitat where North American bison, Roosevelt elk, moose, black-tailed deer, mountain goats, woodland caribou and bighorn sheep can all be viewed safely from inside the trolley. Three cars are joined together, with open air viewing. A naturalist gives an hour-long presentation as we climb hills and drive through the extensive forest habitat for these animals. 
The naturalist said that it was an exceptionally good day for viewing the animals, as it was cold and overcast. When it is hot on a sunny day, they hide in the forest, and opportunities are limited for sighting big game. George and I especially enjoyed a herd of Roosevelt elk, especially this one. It reminded us of a canoe paddle where we rounded a bend on a river, suddenly startling six of these huge animals. They bounded away from us, crashing through the brush, and the sound of their hoofs made the ground rumble as if an earthquake was pounding it.
We really enjoyed the open air feeling, the enthusiasm of our fellow travelers as they enjoyed the sightings, and the slow pace the driver took around every bend. It gave us a chance to really settle back and enjoy being part of the forest. There were viewing platforms outside, and indoor exhibits as well, with an aquarium for beaver and otter. They were playing in the water, chewing on leafy green branches and building nests inside the den. Bear, cougar, bobcat, grizzlies, lynx and other animals walked around in a very natural habitat, on trails through the woods. We saw everything, including an elusive red fox and some snowy owls.
Afterwards, we still had time to walk several trails through the forest - there are 5 miles of them, wonderfully groomed and maintained. As we were walking along, George noticed something matted up on the trail, and said, "What's this?" I told him it was entrails, the intestine of an eviscerated small animal, like a beaver. I'd seen this type of thing before when we were hiking along the water. Only then, the beaver was nearby, gutted out. The coyote took only entrails. As I videotaped the corpse - etc.- George just shook his head. But, I felt that this was part of the fascinating unfoldment of Mother Nature - eat and be eaten. I just wish it weren't so brutal.
As the afternoon unfolded we were fortunate that, although rain may have threatened, there were sun-breaks with dramatic clouds. To be on the safe side, I brought my fleece vest and a huge Men's XL wind-breaker - these I'd used while canoeing earlier in the day (large size, to accommodate my life-jacket and wool sweater). I've learned to anticipate chilly breezes, so when George said, "Naw, you won't need that wind-breaker," I took it along anyway. Guess who was glad I offered it to him as we trollied through Northwest Trek?
