Seattle, Washington and Mount Rainier National Park

Seattle, Washington and Mount Rainier

Look who we found in Seattle!!  Dunovan and Brodey flew out to meet us for 13 days.  They have work, classes, and internships, which makes cross country trips not ideal for the whole summer. Doug and I didn't want to miss a vacation with our boys and I love that technology allows them to keep up with school work and internships while still getting to vacation with us.  

I was able to find a campground at the end of the light rail line in Angles Lake, WA, just outside of Seattle.  It was in walking distance of the light rail station and made it easy to access the city. 

Seattle, Washington 

Space Needle              

What is a trip to Seattle without a visit to the Space Needle!?!  This tower was built in the city center for the 1962 World's Fair and has become the icon of Seattle.  Also, a must do for us tourists. 

Chihuly Garden and Glass

This museum is located at the base of the Space Needle and you can bundle tickets with the Space Needle tickets for a discount.  It showcases the work of Dale Chihuly.  His work is also featured at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA. We all were amazed and enjoyed his works of art.  The picture we took really don't do it justice.  The Cooks highly recommend a visit if you are ever in Seattle.  

Pike Place Market 

We went to the Pike Place Market just for the Halibut!  hahahaha  We got to see the fishmongers toss the fresh catch of the day.  The were So-fish-ticated. Hey, if you can think of some better puns just let minnow.  

There were so many people, 15 million visit a year, and amazing vendors.  I just spent time looking and enjoying watching the boys take it all in.  Brodey talked to the artists and engrossed himself in the techniques they used to create their art.   Dunovan found unique vendors and coffee stands! (He drinks sooooo much coffee.)  We were their for 4 hours and had to drag them away.  Both agreed that they really loved that experience. 

Post Alley Gum Wall

Original Starbucks 

One of Dunovan's must stop places was the original Starbucks located in Pike Place Market.  It opened March 31, 1971. He decided NOT to wait in the 2 hour line to go into the store.  

Mount Rainier National Park, est. 1899

We decided to just do a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park, 2 hrs from Seattle.  This is one park that you need a timed entrance to enter the park.  I secured a 9:00 AM entrance for the Paradise Entrance.

Carter Falls Hike 

Our first stop was a cool hike to Carter Falls but first we had to cross the Nisqually River.  The falls were roughly 1.2 miles from the parking lot.  

Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center and Myrtle Falls Hike 

We had looked to possibly hike the Skyline Trail but when we arrived at the visitor center we were informed that most of the trail was still closed and the rest was under snow. It was recommended that hikers had ice picks and snow cleats, neither of which we own.  So, when did a short 1.5 mile round trip hike to Myrtle Falls and then took a scenic drive through the park. 

Never good when there is DANGER written on a posted map. 

Hike to Myrtle Falls 

Myrtle Falls 

The Muir Steps at Paradise have in the a quote by John Muir. 
"...the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever behold in all my mountain-top wanderings." John Muir, conservationist 1889. 

As you can see, our views wasn't necessarily what he saw on this particular day.  

Stevens Canyon Road 

This road is only open in the summer months.  

We saw so many waterfalls 

Box Canyon 

This is a narrow slot canyon carved by the Cowlitz River.  The Box canyon bridge was built between 1950-1952. 

 

Looking 150 feet into the canyon from the bridge

This meadow along Box Canyon had really unique flowers.  It was beautiful. 

The Mountain was out on the East Side of the Park 

As the day progressed and we made our way from the west side to the east side of the park, we were happy to find a couple spots where we got glimpses of Mount Rainier 

There are 26 named glaciers that cover Mt. Rainier.  I was able to zoom in on some of them with my camera.  

Our first 3 days with the boys were full of fun!  Doug and I aren't really city dwellers and were ready to get away from city camping and head back to nature.  Off next to Olympic National Park! 

Total Campgrounds: 14

Total Miles Hiked (I count all the Seattle Walking as hiking): 62