Trip to Mt. Rainier

Last summer when my mom visited, we took her to Mt. Rainier, but by the time my dad came in December the roads in the park were impassable.  So we decided to make the drive to the mountain on this Saturday.  We woke to a cloudy day which made us doubt our decision to go, but my dad was optimistic that it would clear so we decided to go ahead with our plans and boy am I glad we did!  About half way there, the skies cleared to a beautiful, crystal blue and the mountain was just as clear and visible as I've ever seen it.

We first stopped for lunch at a dammed lake about a half hour from the park.  It's a great place to have a picnic.

Then we drove on to the park.  Before you get to Longmire where the Inn and visitor's center are, there is a wonderful, picturesque scenic view.  We stopped here and just enjoyed the beauty for a while.

Then we decided to take a hike that started near this view point.  It was a beautiful stroll through the woods which came out to a point where there was another fantastic view of the peak.

After our little hike, we drove on to Longmire where we had an ice cream and enjoyed yet another stunning view of the mountain.  I tell you, it never gets old.