Play: North Creek Trail in Mill Creek

This morning we met up with some friends for a walk along the North Creek Trail in Mill Creek. I love this little trail. It runs all the way from 164th Street to McCollum County Park. It's 2.5 miles long but we've never done the whole trail. I have one in a stroller and one on her feet (and sometimes none in the stroller and two on their feet) so we don't travel far or very fast. But I'm ok with that. We weren't there for the exercise. We were there for the walk.

Oh, wait. Lookie there, a Starbucks. Better stop in for a coffee and a tasty treat before our walk. (If you want to keep this frugal outing completely free while still enjoying a cup of joe, take your empty Starbucks coffee bag into the store for a free tall drip. Ok, it's not a Pumpkin Spice Latte. But sometimes free tastes better than a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Sometimes.)

Back to the trail...

There's lots to see along the way -- ponds and birds and I'm sure other wildlife if your kids let you stop long enough to look. And people walking doggies which is always a toddler crowd pleaser.

Look, a crane!

And ducks. Lots and lots of ducks. I think Grady chased down every one of them. It was definitely the highlight of the trip for the kids.

Play, Stay Away, or Just Okay
This little outing gets a big Play. The trail is great for little ones that take their time and don't watch where they're going. (And moms that get too busy chatting to notice the other people on the trail. Or maybe that's just me.) I didn't see a single person on a bicycle (if you walk trails with your kids you will appreciate this) and everyone who passed us was happy to smile and weave their way through the gaggle of kiddos.

Details ---
Where: North Creek Trail
When: Anytime!
Cost: Free!