After we parked the car, we saw this cool log cabin in the distance:

Before we walked down to the cabin, we met the nicest couple who had just arrived and were parked next to us. They told us that they were avid wildlife refuge explorers who drove all over visiting them. They’d never heard of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, though, so we told them all about it and they were excited about driving down to visit it. We had the best conversation and it was really wonderful to have such a friendly interaction with complete strangers. They encouraged us to walk down to the Whitcomb Cabin, so that’s what we did. And this was the first glimpse of wildlife that we saw. Too funny.

Pīpī wildlife? Seriously, you guys. That was the only wildlife that we saw.

Apparently, the Sandhill Cranes were elsewhere that day. So disappointing! But I loved that there were picnic tables where people could sit and enjoy the view. And the cranes, if they ever showed up. It was a very peaceful place.

I was actually really glad to see the pīpī, because I knew it’d make AFK happy. Moooooo!!

We got to the cabin and read the story board:

I took lots of photos of the cabin; we could go inside to see what it was like.

In we went.

It had started to rain as we left the cabin, so we headed back up to our car. I left a note on the handle of the car belonging to the couple we’d just met, telling them what a bright spot in our day talking with them had been and hoping they’d have a good trip on their way home north.

This is an aerial map of the wildlife area. We didn’t have time to walk down the Willard Springs trail, though.

Next time, we’ll head back down Trout Lake Highway and then towards home. The adventure isn’t over yet!