Even though we moved to Washington 6 years ago, we have never gone to Mt. Rainier National Park. I love this mountain. I get excited every time "the mountain is out" on a clear day. So, yesterday, we went to go see it. Now, technically, we never made it into the national park. We stayed just outside of it since the area we originally planned to visit is still covered in snow. Usually the melt happens May-June, but here we are mid-August, and it's still largely covered. So, we stayed lower in elevation and were directed by a nice woman at the visitor center to a road (gorgeous and forest-y, but bumpy, rocky & non-paved ;) ) that lead to a view of the Mtn with trails you could hike. We never made it to the trails because we were on a time schedule, but it was such an exciting moment when we drove over a bend and BOOM. Mt. Rainier. The top was covered in clouds, but it was still pretty darn majestic.
this is the view below us:
oops...didn't expose for the mountain
me and my mountain...uh, kinda.
some scenary on the ride back down
we came across a field of wild daisies...i love daisies :)
we crossed a small bridge and got out to watch the river. So pretty! i wish the camera could accurately portray it.
lol. This was the road marker. it was mostly hidden from the main road. We were lucky we found it!
We had a quick lunch...
..and then a scenic train ride.
benjamin was reaching for the biggest one. lol
this kid spent the whole 2 hour train ride just like this. i don't think he had his head inside for more than a couple minutes :)
adam doesn't EVER pass up the chance for popcorn :)
We passed a beaver dam...SO cool. So amazing how they do it.
here is a side view. You can see the higher water, the dam, and then the lower ground base below.
they stopped the train at Mineral Lake halfway and let everyone out for 15 min.
adam and ben "racing" lol
and more snacks.. we can't help it. we like snacks. And amazingly enough, they were really cheap on the train!
the sweetest love ever.
my handsome man :)
This was such a fun family day. At&t has no service up there, so we were completely unplugged from the rest of the world, and were able to be completely present in the moment. Sad that it takes no cell service to do that these days. But we were so relaxed and we all had a blast. The kids loved the trip as much as we did. We definitely want to go back and spend some real time exploring everything!!!
sigh. great day :)
nice job bug :-)
Posted by: adam | August 15, 2011 at 10:18 PM
you got some awesome photos! love it
Posted by: Chloe | August 16, 2011 at 09:22 AM
Great Pictures!! Did you all plan to wear plaid? :) Looks like fun! I love doing stuff like that!
Posted by: Shannon | August 16, 2011 at 03:53 PM
WOW! That photo of Adam at the Bar Grill wearing the white hat - MAN! He favors Grandpa Jinks! (Papa to all the cousins) oh, and thanks for making me tear up (the photo of Adam & Ashlyn lovin on each other), lovely.
Posted by: Mandy | August 17, 2011 at 07:12 AM
Mandy, that's funny. Even though i never met Papa, i think the same thing!! more so since adam got his thicker glasses. But from the profile, i often think it.
Shannon, lol. I guess that's what happens when one person picks out the clothes! you are in the mood for something and it unconciously goes to everyone! ashlyn picked her own, and it shows! ;)
Posted by: erin | August 17, 2011 at 07:34 AM
ha! i thought of papa, too, when i saw the new glasses. erin, luis got a kick out of all the plaid when we were out there for scott's wedding. he's always thought i belonged in the "sticks" and my plaid family didn't help my case! great pictures. what a fun day :)
Posted by: anna | September 08, 2011 at 04:55 AM
We took the kids there when they were in high school. Loved it! Great pictures!!!
Posted by: Joyce Black | January 20, 2012 at 07:33 AM