Out & About, Nov. 1

Explore Victoria, B.C.

Nov. 3: $100. Hop on the ferry and spend time exploring Victoria, B.C., a beautiful city easily navigated on foot. Downtown Victoria has everything from antique shops to artisan chocolate shops, perfect for you to stop in and explore. You can also visit the Royal B.C. Museum or watch a thrilling IMAX film. The trip fee includes walk-on round-trip ferry ticket and transportation to and from Port Angeles. A passport is required. (Ages 5–11: $85; 0–4: $55) Popular family trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Geocaching adventure

Nov. 3: $35. Looking for a fun hobby that’s great for the entire family? Try geocaching — it’ll get you outside, spending time together and having fun! Often described as a high-tech game of hide and seek, geocaching will have you a fun treasure hunt of sorts in the woods. You’ll learn to navigate with a GPS to find your way to caches that someone has hidden. The first couple of hours are spent right here at Lewis North learning the basics and the rest of the day will be spent finding local caches. Join the ODR program. Trip fee includes instruction, equipment and transportation. (Ages 12 and younger: $10).

Bike Carbon R. Trail

Nov. 4:$40. Join the Outdoor Recreation Program for a bike ride through the rainforest of Mount Rainier National Park. The trail follows the Carbon River for 5 miles toward Carbon Glacier. Parts of Carbon River Road were washed out during the November 2006 floods, and 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.

Hike scenic Mount Si

Nov. 4: $30. If you’re looking for a hike to get your blood pumping, this is it! With an elevation of 3,900 feet, Mount Si is an accomplishment to be proud of. With an 8-mile round-trip distance and a 3,150-foot elevation gain, the amazing view of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley makes this one of Washington’s most popular hiking trails. Take the challenge. Difficulty: difficult; time: 5.5 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Horseback riding

Nov. 10: $80. Head to Elbe, a town located on the outskirts of Mount Rainier National Park, for a two-hour guided afternoon horseback ride. No experience is necessary for you to participate. Bring the entire family along for a great day in the outdoors. Minimum age: 7.

Harvest wine tour

Nov. 10: $75. Head to the Olympic Peninsula to visit local wineries. At each stop, you’ll be entertained with games and prizes while delighting your palates with harvest-inspired appetizers and hand-crafted artisan wines. We’ll stop for lunch in Port Angeles. Enjoy the gorgeous winery views. Price includes transportation, event admission and a variety of wine samples, plus a commemorative glass. Minimum age: 21.

Ape Cave adventure

Nov. 11: $40. Travel to Mount St. Helens to explore the largest continuous lava tube in the Western Hemisphere. Travel deep into the underside of a 2,000-year-old lava flow to scramble over and climb under volcanic formations. In this subterranean environment, the average year-round temperature remains a constant 45 degrees, so dress warmly. Difficulty: easy; distance: 3 miles; elevation gain: 250 ft. Minimum age: 12.

Sea kayak Gig Harbor

Nov. 11: Explore the beautiful Gig Harbor area by water as we paddle past the lighthouse to Point Defiance Park. Gear, transportation and basic kayak instruction are included. Difficulty: intermediate; distance: 6; paddle time: 4 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Tulalip Casino, outlets

Nov. 17: $35. This trip to the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall is perfect for the serious bargain hunter. Spend a full day shopping in Marysville at stores like Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach and Chico’s. A short walk brings you to Tulalip Resort Casino. Fee includes round-trip transportation. Popular family trip; reasonable accommodations for special needs.

Sea kayak Lake Union

Nov. 17: $40. Head out with the Outdoor Recreation Program to paddle in the Seattle area. On Lake Union, we’ll paddle past houseboats,, yachts and a research facility. Lunch at the Aqua Verde Paddle Club. Difficulty: beginner-intermediate; distance: 5.5 miles; paddle time: 3.5 hours.