Mike Yardley: Manawatu’s Big Backyard
Mike Yardley: Manawatu’s Big Backyard Sat, 13 Mar 2021, 1:30PM
After taking my fill of Palmerston North’s urban enticements, the big backyard was calling. The towering dragon-like spine of the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges, beckon as a billboard for outdoorsy adventure and my first playground date was at Arapuke Mountain Bike park. Formerly known as K-Loop, the Arapuke Forest Park is the premier mountain bike destination in the lower North Island with over 30kms of well-formed trails, in a growing network. Spanning all grades of difficulty, the Grade 2 trails are the ideal option for beginners and families. From the Scott’s Road entrance, I struck out on the Icebreaker trail which threads you through Douglas Fir trees, before switching onto the Swamp Monster trail which looped me back to the car park. I then headed to the Kahuterawa Road car park to strike out on the region’s beloved Sledge Track.
Pacific Northwest spring break family getaways
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March 12, 2021
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A family hikes along a trail while enjoying the views off the coast of Whidbey Island from Ebey State Park.Michael Hanson/Getty Images/Aurora OpenShow MoreShow Less
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Person hiking in Washington s Cascade MountainsJustin Bailie/Getty Images/Aurora OpenShow MoreShow Less
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While some Seattle families are opting to spend extended time away combining remote learning and workcations at a sunny destination, many are instead reinventing what spring break means to them by exploring closer to home and enjoying the outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Even when road tripping and hiking or cycling scenic trails, it’s important to pack plenty of personal safety essentials like face masks and hand sanitizer. As you book your campsite or hotel, be sure to review local guidelines for social distancing and verify current occupancy levels can accommodate your family.
THUNDER BAY - The historic Bay Street Finnish Labour Temple will maintain much of its outside façade, but renovations are well underway on the inside that will see some big changes.
Brad McKinnon, the new owner of the building, said the interior has been completely gutted, bringing it back to the original frame and foundation in the basement to prepare its transformation into apartments.
“One of the biggest challenges we have seen with this building is the multitude of renovations that have happened. It’s an old building. It’s 110 years old,” McKinnon said.
“Over the years, decade after decade, different things have been done to the building. Getting back to the original foundation and the original framing was very important for us. Trying to reconstruct a building while keeping an old shell and heritage aspects, trying to add spray foam insulation, new wiring, new plumbing, update the heating system. We are trying to make the building as efficient and safe as possible,
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