Day 23 July 05 2010

This was going to be a good day to try to see Mt. Rainier it had been fogged in for a couple of days and our last chance before leaving the Seattle area. It was about 75 miles from where we were camping to the Sunrise summit. Along the way we found these huge parking lots and fields where they had blown up fireworks right by a whole roll of stands that sold them. It was insane. The ride up to the summit point as far as we could go was a great ride we saw a waterfall or two along the way but the only animal we encountered was a few marmots as we got closer to the top. The mountain was very majestic with all the snow and the beautiful landscape. I hated to leave. George had forgot his jacket so when we got to the gift shop and Ranger Office I talked him into a hooded jacket. He admitted later he was glad he got it.
The sad point of the trip is they were still searching for a climber lost a few days earlier. The flags were at half staff for him as they had turned it into a recovery mode by then. All the mountains, Ntl. Parks and waterfalls we have been to rather a nice look from the road or maybe a mile hike to them, they all have their own beauty and story. I love this kind of sightseeing, it was truly beautiful today. Oh yes coming back thru one of the towns they had a war memorial and we stopped. Most all towns over this way have one it does not matter if the town is small or large. Maybe more Texas towns should take notice.




Check out the name of the Fireworks Stand...
River flowing down the mountainside.

What a super drive.

A great view point.

Information..

A waterfall along the road up.

What we saw here.

More driving.

You can get here from two different cities.

Pat checking the map to make sure we are going the right way.

The Falls.

WHere did they get the name ???

Looking down the river and that is Mt. Rainier in the background.

Never thought we would see this much snow in July.

Starting to cool off a bit.

Well we are now at 6100 ft. above sea level.

It is just stunning.

A great view of the mountains.

And more.

We had fun also.

Both of us had fun.

Mt. Rainier above the clouds.

Two of the little Marmots on Pats side of the van.

And here is one on my side.

Makes you want to be a kid again.

Another pic of Mt. Rainier.

This is just great.

Pat & I standing on the side of the road playing in the snow.

Here we are again.

This is unbelieveable.

A great shot with the clouds moving around.

Snow everywhere.
Mt. Rainier.

The flag was flying half staff for a climber that was lost this week on the mountain.

Pat is saying this is a lot of snow.

Park Rangers Station and Gift Shop.

A beautiful view of the snow topped mountains.

Cool up here today.

George at Memorial.

In memory of those lost.

Another great Memorial to honor our service men and women.

This was painted on someones yard.

The Eagle has landed.

What a mess, this was a place where they shot off fireworks. Needs cleaning up we think.

Welcome to Auburn WA.