Ships traveling between the Puget Sound and Lake Union are held in Salmon Bay while the lock lowers or raises the water level. Watch the boat traffic from the terraced lawns. The extensive fuchsia collection is my favorite as they are exquisite and dainty. Wind your way through more than 1500 varieties of plants from around the world on your way to the locks. The chocolate is pricey, but very high quality, and so delicious!ĮXPLORE- Upon entering this gated facility, the gorgeous, well-maintained Carl English gardens greet you. View incredible paintings in the gift shop as well. Take a class and create your own chocolate masterpieces, and tour the chalet while they cool. A full tour includes Boehms' residence which is packed with marvelous art, the small chocolate factory, and his private chapel which features a ceiling mural like Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel painting "The Creation of Adam", as well as replicas of Michelangelo's sculptures of Moses, and a woodcarving of "Christ Washing the Feet of the Disciples". An avid hiker, skier, art collector, and brilliant chocolate maker, he even held the record for the oldest person to summit Mount Rainier!ĮXPLORE- The building behind his chalet is where the magic happens, some of which you can view through big picture windows on the east side see many of their chocolate molds and some of the operation. He imported or commissioned all the marvelous art in this charming, authentic chalet to recreate a slice of Bavarian heaven. in the late 1930's, settling in Issaquah because it reminded him of his beloved Alpine home. HISTORY- Julius Boehms immigrated to the U.S. STROLLER/WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY - Yes, on the sidewalks and streetsĮATERIES- There are a handful of restaurants along Birch Bay and a cute Semiahmoo Café/store at the end of Semiahmoo Spit next to the marina.ĪCCOMMODATIONS- Stay in Birch Bay at one of 170 camp sites at the state park, at an RV park, or rental cottages and condos.īoehms- See how hand-dipped European-style chocolate confections are made the old-fashioned way and enjoy stunning art as well. LOCATION of Semiahmoo Park and Spit- 9261 Semiahmoo Pkwy, BlaineĪDMISSION/PARKING - Discover Pass required at the state park LOCATION of Birch Bay State Park- 5105 Helweg Rd, Blaine Park at Semiahmoo Park to see even more wildlife, like seals sunning themselves on an abandoned dock. Wander along the Terrell Marsh trail loop with binoculars to better appreciate the bald eagles and herons.ĭrive a couple minutes north to soak up the views of Drayton Harbor. Because the water is more shallow than most PNW beaches, in the summer it feels warmer. The bay's large arc provides over a mile and a half of sandy, pebbly shoreline. The new channel caused the level of the lake to drop nine feet!ĮXPLORE Birch Bay's protected, shallow water along a gently sloping sea shelf. In 1917 the US Army Corps of Engineers dug the Washington ship canal and opened the Hiram Chittenden locks to create a passageway between Lake Washington and the Puget Sound. Much of this area used to be UNDER Lake Washington. Look for adult salmon swimming up the slough from September through December to lay or fertilize eggs in Kelsey Creek. No need for headphones when you have a beautiful symphony of birds in surround sound overhead. This unique area provides habitat for over 100 species of birds (including heron and bald eagles), 25 different mammals (including river otters), and 19 species of fish. The Bellefield Loop is an easy "country mile" through the wetlands at times, the boardwalk transports you past plants so huge, they look like they came from the Amazon jungle. The boardwalks and soft, cushy bark are well-maintained ample signs make connections and distances clear. Drive approximately 7 miles to the entrance to the park and look for the sign and turn left at the intersection of Nolte Road and the entrance to NOLTE State Park.EXPLORE - Wind your way though Lake Washington's largest wetland area on 7 miles of trails. The hotel is located on the west side of the park, about 3 km from the parking lot. ![]() There is no fee or deposit, but reservations for the picnic area and picnic tables and kitchen area must be made through the parking office at numbers 360 - 825 - 4646. The kitchen is reserved for groups of up to 50 people, as well as a picnic area with kitchen and dining area. The park acts like a campsite and offers a wide range of camping facilities, such as campsites, picnic areas and picnic tables. The land is blessed with water, is covered in forest and was once a resort before being donated as a park. In the early 1970s, the former Deep Lake Park Resort, owned by the NOLte family, was donated to Washington State by Minnie Nolte, after whom the park is named, to donate the land to the state parks. Nolte State Park is a state park in the state of Washington, USA, south of Tacoma, Washington.
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