Oakpointe Communities Celebrates the Return of Black Diamond Community Events this September with Labor Days Festival and Hometown Harvest

Ten Trails is excited to invite residents and others in the Black Diamond area to two special events in September. These events include Black Diamond’s long-standing Labor Days festival, taking place September 4-6, and Oakpointe’s third-annual Hometown Harvest Carnival event on September 18. “When it comes to creating exceptional places to live, work and play, each neighborhood is only as good as the community it’s comprised of,” said Brian Ross, CEO of Oakpointe. “What makes a place great is a sense of camaraderie and togetherness, which is exactly why we’ve decided to become a sponsor of Black Diamond’s Labor Days and bring back our Hometown Harvest Carnival. After more than a year of staying home and staying healthy, we’re excited to get back to safely supporting these outdoor gatherings as a way to help bring the entire Black Diamond community together.” More information on both events can be found below:

Black Diamond Labor Days – September 4-6, 2021

The city of Black Diamond, Washington prides itself on its deep historical roots and time-honored traditions. Its Labor Days festival is one that residents look forward to year after year – for over 100 years now. This year’s theme is “Welcome Back,” and each day will include a variety of ways to celebrate, such as a parade, live music, food vendors, and more. For the first time ever, Oakpointe’s Ten Trails community will be kicking off the event on September 4 with a Bike and Scooter Rodeo next to the Ten Trails Welcome Center from 2-4 p.m. This family-friendly event is geared toward helping children learn the rules of the road while practicing important bike-safety skills, and Oakpointe will give away 200 helmets to any child who needs one. Families are invited to stick around Ten Trails that evening for an outdoor movie night beginning at 8:15 p.m. in Civic Park, where they’ll be showing “Toy Story 4.” For more updates and details on Black Diamond Labor Days, visit: http://www.blackdiamondlabordays.org/.

Hometown Harvest Carnival – September 18, 2021

Oakpointe’s third-annual Hometown Harvest Carnival takes place on Saturday, September 18 from 12-6 p.m. in the heart of Ten Trails. After a year away, Oakpointe anticipates this year’s celebration could be the grandest one yet, so the event will span both Civic Park and Village Green. Community members are invited to come and enjoy a variety of food trucks, a beer and wine garden, games, 40+ local arts and crafts vendors, live music courtesy of local country singer Aaron Crawford, and plenty more. Oakpointe is also offering a tasting tour that stops by many of its Ten Trails model homes. Participants will be given a “tour passport” that can be stamped at each destination for a chance to win prizes along the way. Oakpointe is excited to be partnering with Lill Family Wines to share a special Ten Trails-branded wine, which will be available for purchase and consumption in the Beer and Wine Garden located at Civic Park. For more updates and details on the Hometown Harvest Carnival, visit Ten Trails on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TenTrails and click on ‘Events’. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

Hit the Trails on Horseback this Summer at Local Horseback Riding Venues

Ten Trails enjoys a prime location, close to area outdoor attractions but also within convenient commuting distance to area employment centers. Ten Trails is also located within close distance to many horse farms that offer seasonal trail riding and year-round riding lessons. Check out these local farms this summer for a trail ride with the entire family!

Misty Acres

Located in nearby Ravensdale, Misty Acres has horses that are suitable for trail riding for beginner or first-time riders. Trail rides are an hour long, and must be arranged ahead of time. Misty Acres also offers lessons for riders as well as on-site pony parties.

Morris’s Shadow Mountain

Located in Auburn, Morris’s Shadow Mountain is just a quick drive from Ten Trails. The farm offers boarding, riding lessons and trail rides through the wooded areas adjacent to the property. Morris’s Shadow also has a covered riding arena for year-round riding.

Echo River Ranch

Echo River Ranch offers walking trail rides through private timberlands and the foothills surrounding the ranch. The property itself is five acres with miles of beautiful trails to explore on horseback. Echo River Ranch offers trail riding for visitors all year long, rain or shine, with a selection of steady horses suitable for beginner riders.

Pony Tail Ranch

Pony Tail Ranch in nearby Renton is a full-service equestrian facility offering an indoor, enclosed arena for lessons as well as access to Lake Youngs’ trails for trail riding. Contact the ranch to learn about their options for hosting birthday parties.

Deerfield Farm

Deerfield Farm in Issaquah is well-known for their world-class, competitive riding program. The farm, located in the beautiful Cascade foothills, offers horse camps for the summer months and during the school year. Riding lessons are available for kids as well as adults, and the farm has options for renting space and horses for corporate or other events. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043    

Take a Trip Close to Home this Summer and Visit these Local Getaways

Washington State is beautiful and full of diverse climates, scenic state and national parks and many fun cities and towns that make great places to visit when you are looking for a local getaway! Take a drive this summer and visit one of these four fantastic locations that are close to home yet offer uniquely different experiences!

Friday Harbor 

Known as the “gateway to the San Juan Islands,” Friday Harbor is a charming and historic seaport that is well known for its quaint shops, walkable downtown, and many restaurants. Located just a few hour’s drive from Ten Trails followed by a ferry ride, Friday Harbor is the perfect local summer getaway spot.

Leavenworth

Take a short drive into the mountains to the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth, Washington. The walkable downtown boasts countless shops and restaurants, many of which sell German food and goods. The village is surrounded by spectacular hiking trails offering sweeping views of nearby mountains, rivers, and lakes. Hikers can cool off at the end of the day with a float, raft, or paddleboard down the Wenatchee River.

Bellingham

If you are looking for a city getaway with plenty of activities to do but without the crowds of Seattle or Portland, head north to Bellingham! This city offers something for everyone with plenty of local breweries and restaurants, shopping, spas, museums, and access to the outdoors. Bellingham has some of the area’s best urban biking trails with several places to rent bikes locally. During the summer months, head to Bellingham for “Downtown Sounds” an outdoor summer concert series with live music located near the city’s historic Bay and Prospect Streets. Check the city’s website for updates on the 2021 concert series schedule.

Winthrop

Located in the sunny and breathtaking Methow Valley of Washington, Winthrop is a charming mountain town that is a great getaway on its own, or a wonderful stop along the North Cascades Scenic Byway. Winthrop’s old western theme, complete with antique boardwalks, is a must-see for locals who have not visited. The town also has great shopping boutiques as well as restaurants, and motels. Summer is a great time to visit to enjoy live music and a seasonal farmers’ market. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com  

Three Ten Trails Community Amenities You Should be Using this Spring 

Ten Trails has many community amenities for residents and the public to use including our award-winning Civic Park and miles of trails to explore. Here are three Ten Trails amenities that you must check out this spring:

Ten Trails Community Fire Pits 

Something magical happens while sitting around a fire with friends and family that does not happen in other situations. In this time when there is a huge emphasis on virtual connections and reliance on technology for socialization, an old-fashioned fireside chat with family and neighbors is the perfect low-tech way to reconnect. Ten Trails has fire pits for residents to use scattered throughout the community.

Ten Trails Community Ping Pong Table

Did you know Ten Trails has an outdoor ping pong table for residents to use? Grab a ball and some paddles and challenge your neighbors to a game! Ping Pong is a great activity to keep you fit, get you outside this spring, and is by nature a socially-distanced activity to do with others.

Ten Trails Community Bocce Ball Courts

Ten Trails’ bocce ball courts are located in Civic Park near the performance pavilion. If you are not familiar with the game, there is a sign posted next to the courts with instructions on how to play. All you need for a great time outdoors this spring is one other player and a bocce ball set www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

Fun Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day This Year 

Finding ways to celebrate the holidays to make them special for kids can be challenging during Covid restrictions, but there are plenty of ways you can make St. Patrick’s Day fun at your new Ten Trails home!

Scavenger Hunt to Find a “Pot of Gold”

Everyone loves a scavenger hunt! Create a series of clues for kids to search in your home and backyard, all leading to a “pot of gold” prize that can be actual money, coins, or chocolate coin candies.

Buy Shamrock Plants 

Shamrocks are very hardy indoor plants and will bloom throughout the year under the right conditions. These make a great starter plant for kids as they are low maintenance and easy to care for. Buy shamrocks at nearby Four Corners Maple Valley or a local nursery for a pretty, holiday-themed plant the whole family can enjoy.

Dress up in Green 

Make sure everyone in the family has something green to wear on St. Patrick’s Day for their in-person, zoom learning, or day at work. Tradition says if you forget to wear something green, you may get pinched by the leprechaun!

Make Traditional Irish Fare 

Traditional Irish recipes like Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, and Irish soda bread are great staples to serve on St. Patrick’s Day. For a fun, easy treat to make with kids, try making Irish “potatoes” which are not made with any potato at all. These no-bake candies consist of cream cheese, coconut, butter, sugar, and cinnamon and resemble small potatoes when rolled together and chilled. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043  

Break out of the Routine this Winter and Try Something Completely New

The Covid-19 pandemic has upended lives across the country and many of us are struggling to find ways to break out of the monotony that can come with many days spent at home, with limited options for socializing. Here are a few ideas of new things you and the family can try this winter to help break up your normal routines!

Go on a Dogsledding Adventure 

Northwest Dogsledding Adventures offers one-hour, seven-mile tours through snowy wilderness with their eager team of 12 dogs. The pack can run up to 20 miles per hour while guests kick back under blankets and enjoy the ride and views. Northwest Dogsledding Adventures is now taking reservations for weekend-only tours through March 31^st, 2021. The cost is $165 for adults and $110 for children under 80 pounds. For more information, visit their website.

Take a Virtual Cooking Class

Cooking is a wonderful skill for anyone to master, and it is a great idea to foster a love of cooking in kids from a young age. Even if you are an adult who is well-adept at cooking, there are always new skills and recipes to learn to keep things interesting in the kitchen! Famous Seattle restaurateur, Tom Douglas, is now offering virtual cooking classes through his company for families or larger groups. Seattle Cucina is also offering virtual classes geared specifically for kids of all ages. You can browse their many class offerings on their website.

Try Sprouting Seedlings Indoors

While we wait for the warmth and sunshine of spring, bring the outdoors inside by starting seed sprouts indoors. When the threat of frost is over, the whole family can enjoy transplanting the new baby plants to an outdoor garden or to a rented garden space in Ten Trails’ pea patches! Some plants that are among the easiest to grow from seed are pumpkins, sunflowers, lettuces, and squash. For information on how to start seeds indoors, check out this website. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com    

Head to Nearby Franklin Falls for a Magical Wintertime Hiking Experience

Franklin Falls is located about an hour’s drive from Ten Trails and is a popular hiking destination in the summer months. In the winter months, however, the hike takes on a uniquely different quality because the majestic waterfall partially freezes as temperatures drop. At just a few miles roundtrip, this is a quick and easy hike that can be enjoyed by hikers of all ages.

Location and Driving Directions for Franklin Falls Trail 

Franklin Falls Trail is located near the Snoqualmie Pass and can be reached via I-90 and exit 52. During the winter months, the trail can be accessed via National Forest Road 58 (NF-58) which closes to vehicle traffic due to snow. Park in the West Summit lot and walk along NF-58 for about 1.4 miles before taking a right into the woods at the Safety Corridor sign. A five-minute descent through the wooded trail will reveal the waterfall.

Alternate Hike Along Denny Creek Trail

You can opt to take a shorter path along Denny Creek that is relatively flat with sweeping views of the river and cabins. Old growth trees provide ample shade and the river is fast-flowing much of the year.

Make Sure You Have the Proper Hiking Equipment

Because the trail is covered in snow in the winter, you will want to make sure you bring the proper snow hiking equipment for a safe and enjoyable excursion. Waterproof hiking or snow boots equipped with microspikes or crampons are essential for ensuring you do not slip on the snowy trail. Snowshoes would also be handy to have for the hike on snowy NF-58 and gaiters to keep snow from going into your shoes. Many snow hikers also opt for stability with trekking poles and other winter hiking gear. For suggestions of what gear and supplies you may need for your winter hike outing, visit REI’s website. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043      

Take Time for Self-Care this Holiday Season

Taking time to care for oneself may seem counterintuitive when there is so much to do in a day with busy families juggling home-schooling, working from home, and the daily stress of a pandemic, but self-care is more important now than ever! If you do not take time for yourself, you cannot be of service to others. Striking this delicate balance is important, especially during the busy holiday season.

Spend Time in Nature

Getting outdoors is one of the best ways to relieve stress and decompress. At Ten Trails, our residents have easy access to the outdoors via our network of community nature trails along with our many outdoor parks and walking paths.

Stream Your Favorite Show Via One-Gig Internet

Everyone has that one television program or film that only they enjoy out of everyone in their household. Make viewing time “me” time by scheduling a special time to view it solo. Thanks to the one-gig, ultra-fast internet at Ten Trails through Wave, streaming your favorite programs is easier than ever.

Find Time for Daily Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to relieve stress and a healthy way to care for oneself! Balance the overindulgence that comes with the holiday season with making time every day to move your body. Even if you do not have a home gym, Ten Trails has options for you to exercise using our community amenities like our many biking lanes and jogging pathways.

Connect with Others 

The term “social distancing” is commonly used in our society when referring to pandemic guidelines, however what we really are required to do is keep physical distance from one another. This means you can be as social as you need to be for your self-care needs as long as you do it safely and remotely! Schedule a video call with a friend, coordinate a virtual book club or plan a holiday party over Zoom. There are so many creative ways to connect virtually these days to help us all maintain our sanity and foster important connections, especially during this time of year.   www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

Visit Ten Trails this Holiday Season to See our Community Lights Display 

Ten Trails is once again asking residents to take part in a holiday lights competition! Visit the community any evening from December 12^th through January 1^st to see many homes and much of the community lit up – including our huge Christmas tree in the Village Green!

Get a Map to Tour the Community Lights

Click here to access a map  tour our holiday lights or find one on our Facebook page. Want to share in the fun? Take a photo, post it to Facebook or Instagram and tag us, @TenTrails and tell us which house’s lights are your favorite!

Past Holiday Lights Celebrations in the Community

Click here for a link to view a video from last year’s Christmas tree lighting event in the community! We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the community for this fun gathering when it is safe to do so. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com      

Ideas for New Holiday Traditions This Season 

While the holiday season may be a little different this year for some families due to the pandemic, that does not mean family traditions have to be abandoned completely! Why not use this year to establish some fun new traditions with your family, or try different twists on longstanding ones? Here are some suggestions for how to connect with loved ones during the holiday season why still maintaining physical distance.

Play Long Distance Games with Family 

Video games have long had the option for players from around the world to connect but there are ways to play popular board and card games virtually as well! Family favorite games like Monopoly, Scattergories and Uno all have online versions you can play with friends and family. You can also hop on Zoom or Facebook Rooms to have a video conference with family members to play fun games like Charades, Who in the Room, or Trivia.

Do a Virtual Watch Party of Your Favorite Christmas Movies 

Does your family have favorite holiday movies that you watch together every year? You still can with new streaming technology and the help of ultra-fast one-gig internet at your Ten Trails home. Many streaming services like Netflix or Sling offer opportunities to create a “watch party” with friends and family members who are also subscribers. Chat on video while the film plays, and you can offer commentary and enjoy all your favorite scenes together.

Zoom Holiday Formal 

Do you miss getting dressed up for a night out? Get decked out in your favorite holiday attire and attend a holiday formal with friends or coworkers via Zoom. Ideas for sharing this event including picking out one or two appetizer recipes ahead of time that you will each make and share together during the party. Select a few special holiday-themed cocktails or mocktails to toast with while showing off your festive outfits.

Take Part in a Remote Baking Competition 

Holiday time is synonymous with baked goods and there is no reason this year should be an exception! Enter a friendly competition with friends, neighbors, or family members by baking up your best sweet treats and shipping or dropping off small batches to your baking competitors. Decide on a rating system beforehand and each member on the competition gets to vote for which treat they like best. Suggestions for voting categories include: “best decoration,” “best taste,” “most creative,” “best texture.” and “best overall.” Plant a New Year Tree Many cultures celebrate the new year by decorating or planting a tree — similar to the common practice in this country of putting up a Christmas tree. To mark the passage of 2020 and transition to 2021, your family could adopt this tradition and plant a tree or purchase a new houseplant to commemorate the holiday and represent a symbol of growth and life for the coming year. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043