The Olympic Peninsula offers countless opportunities for exploring in nature, and summer is a great time to get out to the places you’ve been wanting to see. Head up into the mountains, head out to the beach, or enjoy a walk by the river. Visit your library to learn more about local places to discover, the geology of the region, and find topographic maps available for check out to guide you on your next adventure.

On Saturday, August 4 at 5pm join Garret Romaine, avid rockhound and author, at the Sequim Branch Library. He’ll explain some of the interesting geology of the Olympic Peninsula and share how the regional geologic structure has resulted in great opportunities for searching fossils, minerals, rocks, and gold panning. Romaine is the author of several books on Pacific Northwest field collecting, including Gem Trails of Washington, Gem Trails of Oregon, Rockhounding Idaho, and Gold Panning the Pacific Northwest. Romaine will also talk about his new book, Geology Lab for Kids. These titles are all available for check out at the library.

Young children and their families are invited to drop-in at the Dino Dig with the Burke Museum on Wednesday, August 8 anytime between 10:30am-12:30pm at the Sequim Branch. Learn what the earth was like millions of years ago. Take a journey through geologic time as you examine real fossils, rocks, and minerals, as well as cast replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals and plants. Unearth fossils in dig pits, learn about the work of paleontologists and geologists, and imagine the amazing life that once inhabited our planet. The Burke Museum is a research and collections based museum located in Seattle.

As you plan your next adventure, consider checking out one of these books about the local natural world, available at the library.

• Day Hike! Olympic Peninsula by Seabury Blair
• By the Shore: Explore the Pacific Northwest Coast like a Local by Nancy Blakey
• 50 Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Washington by Wendy Gorton
• Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City by David B. Williams

When you have your destination in mind, stop by the library to check out a topographic trail map (laminated and folded to easily fit in a daypack). There are over 15 different Olympic Peninsula trail maps available at NOLS, including the North Olympic Coast, Buckhorn Wilderness, Gray Wolf/Dosewallips, and the Elwha Valley.

If you’re heading outside with young children, consider checking out a Backyard Scientist Backpack Kit (available at NOLS through September 2018). The backpacks include a magnifying lens, specimen viewer, collection boxes, bug net, binoculars, ideas for nature walk activities, a
book, a feather, rock, shell, and an insect. The backpacks are provided in collaboration with the Burke Museum and a Thrive Washington grant.

For more information as you plan your next outing, stop by the Sequim Branch Library to talk to friendly library staff, visit www.nols.org, or call 360.683.1161. The Library is located at 630 N. Sequim Ave.