April 29, 30  Sumner, WA, Mt Rainier

Today was a catch-up/clean-up day in Sumner, WA.   We first found a laundramat and did a few loads.  They named their washing machines after Disney characters and we were in Sneezy, Buzz and Pinochio.   Greg did exercises and Beth made a few phone calls.

Next we went to the Sumner Library and handled some tax info, medical, banking, reservations , etc. They had great internet and were helpful with printing things too. Printed off Affidavits for Bryan where we attested that he doesn’t have previous wives, bad intent and all that – part of their requirements for the Catholic Church.  They (B&J) are spending the weekend at an Engagement Encounter as another requirement.  Greg caught up on emails and a few other things.

We finished up around 2:45 and then had some lunch in the Trek.  Decided to see a movie and choices were pretty limited so we chose Furious 7 (forget that we didn’t see 1-6).  I think the previews lasted almost as long as the feature!  All in all it wasn’t bad, though we aren’t going to rush out and rent the others. Entertaining and the good guys prevailed!

Ended the day back at Bonney Lake.  Drove 15 miles total and didn’t take any pictures today!

April 30  Mount Ranier

Today we got back to nature.  Passed some farmland with cattle, bulbs, berries and vineyards.  Also wound through some mountains and saw lots of signs of the logging industry including clear cutting,  newly planted seedlings, lots of lumber hauling trucks, saw mills, etc.

Mount Rainier is 14, 410’ and was named after a British naval officer named Peter Regnier.  I think someone took the weather into account when the name was changed to Rainier.  But today is sunny and in the 50’s.  The Park, established in 1899, is 337 square miles, most of which is dominated by Rainier, and has 26 active glaciers. Our first sight was from over 30 miles away and was pretty awesome, though it was partially obscured by clouds.

As we wound closer we passed this interesting motel – with rooms in cabooses in Elbe. Also this historic  tiny church. 

 There is also a scenic train that leaves from there, but like many touristy things it doesn’t start till mid or late May.  Passed many lakes and stopped at Alden Dam  which contains the Nisqually River.

From the entrance, the road into the park  had lots of elevation changes, along with the requisite switchbacks.  Snow-capped Mt Rainier came into view occasionally when there was a break in the dense forest.

We stopped at several scenic spots, including Christine Falls and Narada Falls which was an impressive 168’ tall. As we hiked down a trail to view the Falls, the sounds were amazing.The roaring of the Falls on one side and various trills and trinkling of smaller rivulets and streams on the other side. 

Narada Falls

 As we got higher,  (oops, this is Washington, I need to be carefull) – as the road wound higher I should say -there were tall orange poles used to mark the road when there is deep snow.  The road is not completely open yet (snow and a mud slide), but we could get to Paradise (which was past the restrooms, thank goodness!).

Several people were there, trying to eke out a little more snow time.  Someone told us that the skiing was only good for about three weeks this year.  As in other parts of the Northwest, the snowpack is low and there is some concern about watershed. Snow around the visitor’s center (closed) was still piled high, though the roads were clear.

We  stopped at the lower Longmire Visitor’s Center and walked the Trail of the Shadows which circled  the edge of a large meadow area with hot mineral springs gurgling now and then.  There was lots of Skunk Cabbage in bloom. 

It was used medicinally for headaches and other ailments.  This area was claimed by a man named Longmire  who had quite a resort here for many years, touting the healing hot springs.  People used to come by horseback.

We saw signs of beavers, though the ranger said they have moved on recently. 

We ate our lunch in the meadow….what a view!

The ranger at the visitor’s center said that their campground didn’t open for a few weeks yet, but told us we could find spots in the Gifford Pinchot National Park nearby, along road 52.   Greg went back a dirt road a bit and found a great spot which obviously has been used in the past, with campfire rings and, unfortunately, litter. Greg exercised, then gathered some wood and made a good fire while I walked a bit and chilled. The road past our site was horrible, with deep gouges and water-filled potholes of indeterminate depth.  We were surprised, then, that four or five vehicles passed us during the evening.  Nice night’s rest.

It was right next to the Nisqually River which made for some lovely background music. Huge fallen trees in the water made for some interesting dams and falls.