FREE EVENTS JAN. 16-22 IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Snow prompts Bobble Tiki to think that the All Mighty, while he may not shoot craps with the universe as Albert Einstein said, at least has a sense of humor. She makes existence uncertain by conjuring up sea-level snow every now and then, but at no apparently regular interval, and throws in a few earthquakes, ice storms, floods and the like now and then just to let us know who is boss.

The trouble is Bobble Tiki never sees it coming.  Skier/ Kayaker/Mountain Explorer Jeff Renner and other weather suits can barely tell us which way the wind is blowing. Yet, they still get the coin. Thursday, Bobble Tiki thought is was a brilliant idea to create a list of free outdoor activities for this coming week. Today, it seems like a ridiculous list.

Anyway, here it is - a list of free things to do outdoors this week in the South Sound.

MONDAY, JAN. 16: Washington State Parks says its cool to visit a state park for free Jan. 16. Yes, you don't need a Discover Pass, which is normally required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

TUESDAY, JAN. 17: When was the last time you hung out with a pack of wolves? If you're anything like Bobble Tiki, the closest you generally get to wildlife is when you're forced to smoke outside. Helen Thayer traveled to the virtually untouched Canadian Yukon Territory, above the Arctic Circle, to live within 100 feet of a wild wolf den. She spent a summer observing and documenting the daily lives and behaviors of the pack and returned in the winter to study the wolves' interaction with the polar bears on the northern sea ice. Come hear stories and view photos detailing the remarkable story of wolves at 7 p.m. inside the Olympia REI. You must RSVP here for the free event.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18: The Tacoma REI offers a free introductory Avalanche Awareness class at 7 p.m. The Friends of the Northwest Avalanche Center will provide information on where to find avalanche reports, how to interpret the reports, assess avalanche risks and learn about the gear needed for avalanche terrain. RSVP here.

THURSDAY, JAN. 19: The Tahoma Audubon will lead a free walk through the Adriana Hess Wetland Park in University Place from noon to 1:30 p.m. No registration is needed.

FRIDAY, JAN. 20: Soon you will be able to spend time outside during the day without risk of hospitalization. You should join the Tacoma Mountaineers right now, just to celebrate.  Right now.  Riiiiggght now.  OK, fine, you want to know something about them? They hike, they bike, they climb, and yes - they mountaineer, too. (And rockin'?  Hah! - parties, too.) In short, indoors is out. Outdoors is in. So get out by getting in. Or something like that. The Mountaineers Tacoma Branch hosts an Open House with special guest speaker Washington state guidebook author Craig Romano Friday from 7-9 p.m. Drawing from his new release, Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, Craig will be sharing tales from the trails from Ridgefield, Wash. to Boardman, Ore. Oh, because of a clubhouse renovation, the open house will be held at the Pierce County Library Processing Administration Center at 3005 112^th St. E. in Tacoma.

SATURDAY, JAN. 21: Go Get It Gal, a website aimed at adventurous women, will hosts a party from 3-6 p.m. at Joy Ride Bicycles in Lacey.This event, obviously aimed at women, will include comedic live music, food, community vendors, prize giveaways and a sale on women's bicycle gear and products. The keynote will be an interview with Olympia cycling legend and nine-time Hawaii Ironman finisher, Louise Taylor, who will share her secrets of longevity in athletic pursuits.

SUNDAY, JAN. 22: You need to join the Swiss Sportmen's Club of Tacoma right now. Sunday morning the club will host a free shotgun shoot in Bonney Lake. Shooting shotguns with the Swiss. Yo ho-lee ho-o-lee hol-la-lee-ho!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound