I had a short break between storm systems. It seemed like a good time to hike in the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a few miles west of home in the heart of Beaverton.

The 222-acre Park surrounds the confluence of Cedar Mill Creek and Beaverton Creek.

I was happily impressed. It is a remarkably diverse wildlife preserve with wetlands, forests, ponds and streams. There are five miles of trails, with about 1.5 miles paved and the rest well-maintained paths with wooden walkways over the wetland areas.

I did a four-mile loop hike. The trails’ names tell the story – – – Oak, Creek, Old Wagon, Vine Maple, Big Fir, Cougar, Chickadee, Cedar Grove, Ash, Serviceberry, Big Pond, Trillium Loop and Ponderosa Loop.

I truly enjoyed the lily ponds, creeks and marshes. It was fun spotting the frogs, squirrels and waterfowl.