June 15-16th, 2018
Trip Distance 5 nm
Point Defiance is within boundaries of Ruston (a suburb of Tacoma I think)
Twas a short trip from gig harbor to Point Defiance dock. We wanted to get there early to secure space and we did. For vessels over 30 feet 20 dollars per night ($5 for electric but only one pedastel which we did not use). The dock is right next to ferry landing so we had lots of ferry watching. At low tides (since around this date the low tides were super extreme we were on the ground).
The city original downtown had only a couple businesses. They are developing a waterfront up the small man made harbor with lots of condos being built and a soon to be open bicycle bridge that connects it to the park area. I saw the green space on google maps, researched and decided it might be worth a park. I feel it was!
The destination here is wonderful Point Defiance park with old growth forest, hiking paths, a zoo and aquarium, gardens and a 5 mile drive which can be biked. Also since a point in the sound there is a nice beach you can walk too along the water just North of the marina. We walked the beach in the AM with dogs so they got good running and swimming in.
Then in PM we rode the bikes to the small town center and then on the five mile road. This road is closed to 10am on weekdays and til 1pm on weekends for bikers and walkers. We saw some raccoons begging alongside of the road and good views of Colvi channel, and the narrows bridge (original suspension bridge years ago collapsed due to bad engineering and high winds).
The park also has a rose garden, herb garden, rhodendendron garden and off leash dog park.
Also a recreated fort, Fort Nisqually (two building were donated and moved from original site further down the sound). At this Fort they do camps, period events and its also rentable space. Had burgers for dinner.
