Mt. Rainier

This week we got to go to Mt. Rainier.  We drove down Thursday afternoon and got to the park just in time to see this gorgeous sunset.  I tried to take a picture as we drove by and got photo-bombed by this pine tree.  Oh well.

We had Rainforest Crepes for breakfast (it's a Rainier tradition now!).  I did not spill pancake mix all over myself this time, and we actually brought a spatula so we didn't have to use an old Mountain House wrapper to flip the pancakes.  Prep was much smoother, but they were just as tasty as last time.  

Vivien approves.

And Rafe approves of Vivien's approval.

Vivi got this cute outfit for her birthday, but when I was explaining to her that it was a present from Grandma Paula, somehow she understood that it was actually Grandma Paula's shirt.  When I tried to put it on her she threw a big fit because she didn't want to wear Grandma Paula's clothes.  She got over it when she realized that they did, in fact, fit her.

Friday morning we drove up to Paradise to do some hiking.  The first person I ever talked to in Japanese took this picture.  I said "one more, please" and "thank you."  I also understood that they thought Rafe and Vivi were really cute.  It's coming! 

By the end of the hike our marmot sighting total was 13!  They are transitioning to their winter coats right now and looked pretty cool.  Here Vivien is showing a resident marmot the rock she found.    

The beginning of the hikes at Paradise are SO steep!  Vivien was ready to get in the backpack at the top of the first hill.  

Having a little water break and admiring Nisqually glacier.

Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens were also visible.  Too hazy for Mt. Hood though.  

We stopped for lunch at Pebble Creek.  Of course Vivien got in the water.

And played in the snow (we at least got shoes on her for that).

Rafe did some high altitude sun bathing.

From Pebble Creek, we decided to do the rest of the Skyline trail, and I'm glad we did!  We had some beautiful views, and the trail was lined with wild blueberries which we sampled as we hiked. 

Vivi even managed to view the back of her eyelids for awhile.

There weren't nearly as many flowers as there are in July and August, but there were these cool dandelion sort of things that looked a bit like truffula trees.

And these pretty bright red berries.  It was like Christmas!  

Here's Myrtle Falls.  

Rafe was happy to be released from the backpack.  

The hike was 5 1/2 miles and we were pretty tired by the time we got back to camp, so imagine our excitement when we saw this sign at the campground!  We definitely got into our swimming suits and hiked over, only to find that we were not allowed to leave the trail to actually get into the hot springs.  Apparently there used to be a spa built over the hot spring, but they're trying to let the area grow back to its natural state.  We were sorely disappointed.  

But, not to be denied our dip, we jumped in the Ohanapecosh river.  It was cold enough that it required some contemplation to determine if it would be worth it.  

And it was, in the end.

Not so much for Vivien.

And even less so for Baby Rafe.  

We all squeezed onto our blow-up queen in the tent.  Vivien was feeling a little under the weather from her immunizations earlier this week and had a pretty rough night, but was able to get a couple solid hours in the early morning.  Rafe was ready to be alive with the sunrise!

We tried this idea that Paula gave me for breakfast.  You crack an egg into a ring of red pepper.  We had them on English muffins with Canadian bacon and cheese.  And Tapatio, of course.

Drew thought they were yummy . . . even if he doesn't look it!

Vivi wore Daddy's adventure hat around while we packed up to go home.  

We could not have had more perfect weather the whole weekend.  It was a great trip.  Hurray camping in 70 weather with a blow-up mattress and flush toilets!