As the year winds down, Big Papa and I had the rare opportunity to go for a hike, sans child, in Discovery Park. Once Fort Lawton, a military facility, this city park is now the largest  in Seattle. 534 acres of tidal beaches, meadow lands, sea cliffs, forest groves, sand dunes, thickets, streams, and an array of trails gives city folks–like us–a chance to escape.

Perched on Magnolia Bluff, the park offers breathtaking views of Puget Sound, which was one of our stops as we made our way along the 2.8 mile Loop Trail. The Loop Trail always amazes me, because as you hike the perimeter of the park, you find yourself in so many beautiful settings: beach, woods, and meadow.

Even in late December, with many of the trees and bushes stripped of their leaves, and few plants in bloom, there is so much color to be found. From chartreuse moss covering downed tree branches.

And Kelly green hanging ferns.

To the bright pop of burgundy on a dogwood.

Or clusters of tiny rose hip jewels.

Majestic shades of blue on wide-open Puget Sound.

And blue-gray mushrooms intimately nestled against a tree stump in the forest.

Our trip to the Discovery Park was made even more special–for Beth the bird lover–when we spotted a Pileated Woodpecker, decked out in his red cap and handlebar mustache. An uncommon siting for urban dwellers, watching him find an afternoon snack was a treat.

A winter walk was the perfect way to usher out the year. Farewell 2014.

Take the road less traveled, Beth