Backcountry Bicycle Trails Club has the goal to make Washington one of the best places in the…read morecountry to ride a mountain bike. Working to build and maintain trail systems, educate and train riders, and hosting group rides through out the State. They have built the I-5 Colonnade park as well as many others. I have only been on a few rides with the BBTC but all of them were really fun. I really like the web site and wiki page for finding spots to ride around the sound, and people to ride with. A great organization to volunteer for or just meet some like minded singletrack junkies.

Thanks to a fortuitous change in plans, I was lucky enough to go on a retreat with RAW and cannot…read morespeak more highly of the experience! Upon arriving, the lodging we were staying at was rustic and tucked away in nature, a true "get away." It felt like we were sleeping in a tree house! Tracey left us little welcome notes, which was a very nice touch to make us all feel welcome. Throughout the weekend there are multiple activities to choose from - bike rides throughout the beautiful island, as well as yoga sessions in the morning and afternoon. The cycling is great for experienced riders and newcomers alike as it is geared towards sightseeing, but still a very good workout! I was nervous as I hadn't ridden in months, but everything is optional so if you choose to stay behind at the lodge or head into town, there is that option as well. No one is competitive and while our group varied in athletic ability, I still felt able to enjoy the riding despite being less experienced. The yoga is equally amazing - the instructor mirrors the energy level of the group well and makes adjustments for all levels! By the end, I fully decided to do yoga regularly - her classes got me hooked! The food is AMAZING - I cannot speak more highly about how fresh, organic and healthy it is, as well as how creative the chef is in making things that thrill your pallet. YUMMY! Every meal was a surprise and an absolute delight. From the presentation to the variety, I loved it! She also made special adjustments if you didn't eat something (meat, cheese, etc.) so the meals were custom to you. I could go on about how wonderful the weekend was but I'll sum it up so I don't get too wordy - this retreat is a great chance to spend some time reflecting, enjoying nature and connecting with other women. We laughed, shared stories, drank wine, ate great food, exercised and by the end, I felt like a million bucks! I can't recommend this more - everyone walks in a little shy and walks out good friends. You can do as much as you'd like or as little as you'd like and it is a great way to recharge your body and mind! And lastly, Tracey (the owner) is an amazing leader - she is warm and friendly and immediately makes you feel comfortable. She really brings out the best in people and I am glad I got to know her over the course of the weekend!

When you meet Tracey.. you just want to keep talking to her…read more.. From the first time I heard her speak in front of hundreds of women cyclists at a bike shop... I knew then I wanted to go to her retreat, get to know her better, and just keep talking to her, listening to her... Truly there is not a more genuine, happy and bright sunshine of a person... She is a special part of the gift of your RAW retreat....!!! The other "gifts" include all the women that this great idea brings together... the laughter, joys, stories shared on all the moments in between yoga sessions, lunches on picnic tables or wineries, bike riding beautiful roads, challenging moments of going up hill where you band together to help your fellow woman up a steep climb.. to the sections of downhill that make you go "wwwweeeee" :)))) I can't think of something I want to do more.. I've already done one retreat.. but I'm ready for another.. and now I really also want to share this retreat time with my friends!!! I honestly can't believe how much I loved the weekend!! Do this for YOU, and if you bring a friend- wonderful.. but if no one you know is going.. you must still GO and meet other amazing women...!!! The weekend was such a treat!!! :)

Hands down the most fun I had in Seattle, by far! I was in town for a work trip and was otherwise…read morenot going to get to see much of the city. Thanks to Kate Reed and Seattle City Running Tours, I was able to experience multiple highlights of the city, learn amazing and interesting facts, as well as get a well paced run all in about an hour an a half. What really made this five stars was the Kate's knowledge and amazing customer service. She was more than happy to take photos at various points and was always looking out for the safety of fellow runners. Furthermore, after every interesting fact, if there was a follow up question she had the answer. This was truly the highlight of my trip and one I cannot advocate enough!

My husband signed me up for the 3 mile waterfront running tour. It leaves and finishes at Sound…read moreSports. We were visiting from out of State and thought it would be a fun way to explore down town. The guide was terrific and very informative. The pace is slow and leisurely but necessary since you are navigating through some heavily populated sidewalks and tourist attractions. I thought we could have stopped less for photo ops, but it was a fun hour. Thanks CRT. I would highly recommend you.

I wanted to go horseback riding for my birthday. I found Stillwater Ranch by searching for trail…read morerides. I am so happy I did. This place was EXACTLY what I was looking for. The owners, Barbara and Dalton were so nice and down to earth, They are true animal lovers just like we are. They have over 20 horse, 3 dogs, 2 mules and they offer it all. This isn't your 1 hour trail ride up a dirt road and back. This ride is 3 to 4 hours long, through trees, down what looks like animal trails in the woods, you criss cross through the woods and clear cuts in the Skykomish River Valley then you head up mountain to this amazing lookout and have lunch. I rode a wonderful gelding named Bernie. Bernie's a Missouri Fox Trotter and he was super sweet. Chris rode Comet, she's a Tennessee Walker. Chris said she floated. You can see for miles up on "the rock". When you look down into the valley and see just how far you have ridden, you are amazed. Dalton said it is probably 5 miles. The lunch is amazing, it's from the Sultan Bakery and it is one of the best lunches I've had. Sitting up on the rock just me, Chris, and Dalton was so relaxing. We became instant friends. Stillwater Ranch offers a variety of rides that include river rafting, fishing, moonlight rides, overnight camping and much, much more. You can ride in all seasons - We are looking forward to a winter ride when the valley is covered in snow. They are even starting a wine dinner ride - woo hoo. The next time we need an equestrian fix, we will look to Stillwater Ranch to supply it.

I'm new to trail running, and I've participated in two of the events through Northwest Trail Runs,…read moreand both have been a lot of fun. They're low key and inexpensive, and I like how most of their events have a short distance (~5k) option that's newbie friendly. The courses were well-marked, and they do a trail briefing before the event start. One of the things I like most about the events is what happens afterwards! For the trail to grill series during the summer, there are hot dogs and watermelon, and for the one I did, there was also yummy ice cream. For the opener of the winter series, pancakes and hot chocolate or cider warmed up runners at the end. They also do a nice awards ceremony followed by a raffle of little prizes that you actually have a pretty good shot at winning if you stick around.

I feel so lucky to have my horse at Greenlight Farms. Of course it is absolutely beautiful but…read moreeven more importantly, I know my horse is in the best hands. Gabrielle and her team ensure that every detail to the horses physical and mental safety is looked after. The stalls are beautiful , the footing in the ring is perfectly maintained, and there is plenty of all year turn-out. The outdoor arena is brand new! Happy horses and happy owners. I cannot recommend this farm enough.

My wife and I have had our horse here for a few months and could not be happier. The atmosphere is…read moregreat. Everyone pitches in to make sure the barn and arena stay clean and ready for the next person to use. The trainer and barn manager both deeply care about the horses and their well being (even going so far as to give up their holiday to make sure the horses were doing ok with all the fireworks). Well organized and on top of schedules and communication. Would recommend to anyone looking for a hunter/jumper home for their horse.

This Facility has had the misfortune of falling into bad management that is no fault to the owner…read moreof the facility. They have since been removed and this place had begun healing and growing in fantastic ways. I board my horse here for the last year and have seen significant growth. The community is happy and active, if you don't like riding alone in the arena or you like trail riding this is the place for you!

The reason for my rating is manyfold; here, I will explain myself in point-form:…read more Pros: - I was able to schedule my lessons such that I could have the same spot every week, twice a week. - My instructor never had to cancel, and offered text-messaging as a means of communication. - The instructor "trusted" me enough to leave catching, grooming, and tacking up to me without supervision and micro-managing. - I felt as though I improved rapidly, and was pushed to do better each lesson. - The lesson-horse that I rode was patient, though stubborn (in a way that taught the student to ask for things just-so). - The lessons were only $40 / hour, and offered in discounted packages. Cons: - On my first lesson, there was an apparent "miscommunication". I had e-mailed the stable reserving a time and day for my lesson, but when I showed up and texted the instructor that I was ready, she called me back to say that she thought that I had been "SPAM". Apparently, the owner had told her to "ignore (my) e-mails since people sometimes e-mail from overseas asking for lessons, then ask if paying with Paypal was an option". I could not help but think that this was a racial presumption, since I had first e-mailed them when I was overseas, and my name was not a Western one. - One day I went to look at the "petting zoo" part of the stable, and was appalled by the conditions that the rabbits were in. Their cages were cramped, food spilled, water hardly available, and full of feces. I asked the staff about them, and was assured that their cages were cleaned once a week. Unfortunately, I took it upon myself to say something about them to the owner in an e-mail, and was received poorly. True, I was "insulting" the business, but as a paying customer I thought that I was entitled to voice my concerns. I furthermore stated them in a polite manner ... And offered my help in cleaning the cages and/or re-housing them in larger enclosures. My e-mail was never returned; I had to text the owner to coax a response out of her. She said point-blank that she would not change anything about the rabbit's environment. - After the above incident, I tried to talk to my instructor how I was upset by a) the conditions of the animals, and b) that I was spoken to rudely by the owner, and feared that I had ruined my chances of staying at the stable long-term. To this, instead of being sympathetic, she got angry at me, and scolded that I had insulted both her and the 9-year old that cleans the rabbit's cages. She furthermore stated that she "has a waiting-list of people who want to take lessons (from her) who had no problem with how (they) do things at the stable." Lastly, I was told that it "didn't matter whether or not (I) quit; nothing is keeping (me) from staying". To such aggression, I took on a submissive and apologetic role, but inside, I was offended and hurt. - The "last straw" for my exit happened a week after a nasty fall off of a horse, which to this day still hinders me from trotting without fear. I arrived 5 min late, and was greeted with an announcement of how I would be charged for the lesson, but not taught that day, since I had arrived late on "one too many occasions". I felt as though this was extremely unprofessional, and would have rather been charged a fee than be punished like a 4-year old. This left me in tears on the drive home, and prompted me to seek a different stable to ride at. My experiences may be isolated and particular, and for the sake of keeping peace at the time, I perhaps should not have spoken up and/or arrived late. However, since I am paying to pursue a hobby, I also thought that I was entitled to: a) speak up when something seems unsatisfactory, b) be treated professionally, and with a mind for customer-service, and c) not be brought to tears every time something does not go to the organization's liking. However, I disclose all of these things such that you can make an informed decision for yourself, based on your needs.