Out & About

Bike rain forest trail

Nov. 26: $30. Bike through the rain forest of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail follows the Carbon River for five miles toward Carbon Glacier. Parts of Carbon River Road were washed out in the November 2006 floods, so bicyclists now share the road with pedestrians (but the road is closed to motor vehicle traffic). Difficulty: easy; distance: 9.2 miles; elevation gain: 600 feet; time: 3 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Explore Victoria, BC

Nov. 26: $85. Hop on the ferry and spend the day exploring Victoria, B.C. by foot. Downtown Victoria has everything from antique shops to artisan chocolate shops. Stop in the Royal B.C. Museum, or watch a thrilling IMAX film.

Trip fee includes walk-on round-trip ferry ticket and transportation to and from Port Angeles. Passport required. (Ages 5 to 11: $70; ages 0–4: $55) Family-friendly trip.

Ride Polar Express

Nov. 26: $30. Hop aboard a vintage train for the Polar Express ride Saturday with the McChord Community Center. Today is the last day to sign up; only 12 seats are available.

The $30 for adults and $20 for youth; cost includes transportation and admission. Call 982-0718/0719 for sign-up details.

Sea kayak Hope Island Nov. 27: $40. Travel from Arcadia in the Totten Inlet around Steamboat Island to Hope Island Sunday. Eat lunch in the backyard of an old homestead, orchard and former vineyard on the island. Deer and other land wildlife can be seen on the island, and seals have been spotted resting in various areas of the channel.

Bridge bungee jump

Nov. 27: $125. If adrenaline is what you crave, you don’t want to miss this trip! Head to the base of Mount St. Helens to bungee jump twice off the highest bungee bridge in the country.

Join us Sunday. A full 20 stories high, the private bridge is nestled in a beautiful emerald green forest above a sparkling river. Fee includes transportation, two jumps and the coveted Dangerous Sports Club T-shirt. Minimum weight: 90 pounds.

Calm, sunset paddle

Nov. 30: $30. Enjoy an evening after work paddling through calm waters close to home Nov. 30. This trip is great for beginners as well as more experienced paddlers. Fee includes equipment and guide. Paddling time: 2.5 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Point D Zoo lights

Dec. 3: $10. Take a stroll as the Point Defiance Zoo comes aglow with more than a half-million lights, Dec. 3. Animal exhibits include the Rocky Shores, Arctic Tundra, Red Wolves and Asian Forest Sanctuary.

Warm up with hot chocolate, shop for gifts or just enjoy the beautiful decorations. Cost includes transportation and admission. ($10; ages 0 to 3: free) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Winter beer fest

Dec. 3: $20. Head to the annual Winter Beer Festival in Seattle. The event features a variety of seasonal beers — dark malty stouts, robust winter warmers, barrel-aged gems, spiced, bubbly and roasty brews — by more than 30 Washington breweries. Vintage beer tasting returns with some of Washington’s favorite winter beers from a few years back ready for tasting.

Price includes transportation only; tickets are $25 at the door and includes six free tastes. This trip is for ages 21+.

Snowshoe wonderland

Dec. 4: $40. Head out to a beautiful winter wonderland. This adventurous trek through varied terrain trails leads to views of the surrounding peaks. Difficulty: easy; distance: 4 miles; time: 3.5 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Sea kayak Hope Island

Dec. 4: $40. Travel from Arcadia in the Totten Inlet around Steamboat Island to Hope Island, Dec. 4. Eat lunch in the backyard of an old homestead, orchard and former vineyard on the island. Deer and other land wildlife can be seen on the island, and seals have been spotted resting in various areas of the channel.

After-work climb Dec. 7: $15. Head to the Edgeworks Gym for an evening climb on the indoor rock wall. Climbing gear, admission and transportation are included. No experience is necessary.

Seattle land and sea

Dec. 10: $45. Visit the Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market. The aquarium is filled with local exhibits and many amazing things to see and touch. You’ll see a visiting harbor seal and the amazing views at left and above.

Plus, Pike Place Market has an assortment of unique food and shops for you to try. Cost includes transportation and aquarium admission. (Youth: $30; child: $5) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Ski ‘n’ snowboard

Dec. 10: $40. Tired of the rain? Head for the snow and spend the day at Crystal Mountain.

Transportation and gear are provided. Lift tickets may be purchased at JBLMmwr.com. (Have your own gear, pay just $20).

Horseback riding

Dec. 11: $80. Head to Elbe, a town near Mount Rainier National Park, for a two-hour guided afternoon horseback ride Sunday, Dec. 11. No experience is necessary; bring the entire family along for a great day! Minimum age: 7. Family-friendly trip.

Mountain bike forest

Dec. 11: $30. Come out for some of the best mountain biking this side of the Cascades. With 196 miles of trails, the possibilities in Capitol Forest are endless. Difficulty: moderate; distance: 10 miles; time: 4 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Register early for tours Pre-registration is required for all trips. Schedule, fees and trip details, to include meeting times, are subject to change without notice. Register through WebTrac at https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac/jblmrectrac.html or at the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North.

Trip pick up locations are the NAC and McChord Field’s Adventures Unlimited. Group rates/private trips available. For more information, call 967-6263 or visit JBLMmwr.com.