National Take a Hike Day is November 17th! But it’s not just one special day—now’s the perfect time of year to spend outdoors and in nature. 

There are countless fun ways to enjoy time in nature. Where we live, you only have to step outside to be surrounded by the many trees, flowers, and creatures we live among. Shoreline’s landscape is an easily accessible yet beautiful place to explore, and if you’re willing to go a little further, Washington has much more to offer. 

There are even more breathtaking experiences to be had outside our city. For example, the Olympic National Park and Hoh Rainforest are great places to visit for a short breather and maybe a hike or two. 

But forests and parks aren’t the only cool things around here. Thomas Dambo, one of the world’s leading recycling artists, is well known for his giant troll sculptures. They can be found hiding in places all over the world, intended to draw us outside and into nature. In September 2023, Dambo’s “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King” was completed. It consists of six of his famed troll sculptures, one located in Portland, Oregon, and the other five in various parts of Washington: Bainbridge Island, West Seattle, Issaquah, Ballard, and Vashon. 

My family and I have recently gone out to find three of Dambo’s Northwest Trolls, and it’s definitely a different experience from looking at them in photos. It was amazing to see how Dambo’s sculptures fit seamlessly into their contrasting habitats, showcasing different aspects of nature’s beauty in the Pacific Northwest. I also especially liked how each troll’s fingers and toes were designed, with nails settling into the end of each digit instead of resting on top of them. 

But all of us had a laugh about the troll’s eyes, which seemed to be watching us no matter how we looked at them. From his sculptures’ breathtaking beauty to the way they bring us to nature and nature to us, Dambo has created truly amazing pieces of art. I hope you’ll be able to enjoy it as much as I did!