Love Affair with my Camera

I knew I went a little crazy taking pictures in Glacier but today in Mt Rainier, I took crazy to a new level. If I promise not to bore you with water, will you tolerate me droning on about trees, volcanoes (yes, Mt Rainier is NOT a mountain, it is an active volcano currently hiding under glaciers), and alpine meadows of wildflowers? The meadows made me think of my Mom's favorite move "The Sound of Music" but I did not go twirl in the field and sing!






We did a few hikes that involved some interesting bridges; one a suspension bridge to an island in the middle of a low-forest area where 1000 year old trees live. I know that in the weeks ahead we will be seeing the Redwoods and Sequoias in California but for now I am terribly impressed. By the way, that black speck in the photo on Donnie's back is formerly his coaching whistle, now retooled as our bear whistle.









We also took a log bridge (yep, single file tree trunk with a handrail) across a glacier river that looked like milk because of the sediments called glacier flour.



We went up to the highest drivable peak called Sunrise to get an up close and personal interaction with her (Mt Rainier - I love the fact that we give those things in nature a female gender!). It was an excellent choice for a "side trip"






We headed to Seattle with a quick stop to browse one of my favorite places; the Pike Place Public Market. The fresh flowers, vegetables, fruit, and fish/seafood are such a treat for all your senses.

It was raining so rather than head on to camp, we decided to find a laundromat and take care of that chore for a bit. That is an adventure all in itself!

Tomorrow starts our Washington mission. We will take the ferry (tickets already purchased for us by gracious hosts Jane Andrews and Becky Lavy) from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island then tour around by bus and foot where we have several tasks to complete. If we are unable to see the whales from shore, we may take a whale watching excursion in the late afternoon. Lots of photos tomorrow of this great adventure and the completion of our assignments!

Stats:
235 miles
$5.50 laundry
$40.20 gas
$34.65 market treats and parking

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