Mt. Rainier

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Another beautiful day!

Barney and Betty in a beautiful setting.

Fred and Wilma enjoying the day.

We left the very convenient RV site around 7:30 and went back into Mt. Rainier National Park. We stopped at a few turnouts to take in the sights. We stopped at Narada Falls, but decided not to have breakfast there because it was shady and a little cool. It wouldn’t be much longer before we were wishing for the shade! Making several more stops along the way for a few pictures, we made our way back up to the Paradise area. It was 9 am and the VC didn’t open until 10, but we fixed and ate our breakfast while parked along the road in the RV parking, looking out at the stunning view of the mountain. There were very few clouds in the sky today, but enough that the top of the mountain was wearing a cap. It was just plain beautiful.

The mountain with it's "hat" on

When the VC opened, we went in to watch the park movie that we hadn’t taken the time for yesterday. We all enjoyed it very much, but the backless seating was a little much for our old bodies.

As we left the Paradise area, we came upon a few stopped cars, and stopped for a while to watch a black bear feeding on whatever he was digging up in the meadow just below the VC and lodge. We made a few more stops at Reflection Lake and Box Canyon, bouncing along on the really rough road, then exited the park and headed north for the White River and Sunrise area. As we turned off at the Sunrise entrance station, there was a lineup of cars and a sign that indicated the Sunrise parking lot was full, and to expect long delays.  Lots of cars eventually turned around and left, but still it took 30 to 45 minutes to get up to the toll booth. They were holding everyone back until they got word that some cars had left the parking lot, then they would let that number go on through. We just wanted to get to the White River campground, but had to wait to get to the toll booth. Once there, they let us on through.

The mountain in Reflection Lake

Wilma looking for hikers on the mountain.

We got settled into the campground and will wait until tomorrow morning to go on up to the Sunrise area. Hopefully since it will be a weekday, and we’ll get a fairly early start, we’ll be able to find a parking space. The popular areas are extremely crowded on weekends, especially with the extra nice weather.

Our rolling caves in the shadow of the mountain.

No signal in any part of the park so far, so will get this posted when we can.
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