The fun goes on

Nick and Val had never been to Mount Rainier National Park, so we decided a road trip was in order. I thought that I had understood that seeing Mount Rainier was as rare as seeing Denali, but it turns out I was incorrect. On just about every day, we have been here we have gotten some misty views of the peak. But today was spectacular – absolutely clear as a bell!

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is just outside the National Park. However, from the top of the ski runs, you get an awesome view of the National Park and the mountain. Fortunately, they have a gondola that services the ski hill in the winter that they open to tourists in the summer. We could not have picked a better day even if we were clairvoyant.

When we stopped in Yakima Washington to visit the Woman’s friend Annie, we had stayed in an RV park in Naches WA. Naches is where the Schneider Springs Fire has erupted, and is currently engulfing over 4,000 acres, although Annie and Rocky in Yakima are out of harms way. But from the top of Crystal Mountain, we could see why the reports we are hearing daily is that the fire is uncontained.

When driving from Yakima to Redmond we went through Chinook Pass, specifically because we knew that the Pacific Crest Trail wandered through that pass, and there was a parking lot at the pass. Sadly, we went through on a weekend and there was no chance of parking a motorhome with a towed vehicle. Luckily the pass was only about 10 miles from the entrance road to Crystal Mountain, so we made a side trip to give the Woman her needed PCT boost of adrenaline.

We rented a car so we could get all of us in and made a road trip to Leavenworth Washington. Founded in 1892 as a result of the construction of the Great Northern Railroad. Originally a lumber town, it turned to tourism in the 60’s and essentially recreated a Bavarian Alps village. We walked all over town, took in the Alpine structures, visited a few shops and had Bratwurst and Bavarian beer for lunch. Fun was had by all!

On the way back to Redmond we went through Stevens Pass.

Googling the drive and things to see, the Woman had learned that the PCT passed through the town. So, we did the only logical thing – found a couple of underpasses that crossed the highway and began our search. It didn’t take long at all to find the trail on the North side of the highway, but I have to admit we never did find the trail on the South side.

Not too far further along US Highway 2 we came upon an information sign for Deception Falls. We didn’t know how far it would be to hike to, but figured we would give it a go. It turned out that you could hear the falls from the parking lot, and the stroll to get there was only a few hundred yards. The falls, made by Deception Creek, weren’t the most impressive falls we’ve seen by a bunch, but for next to no invested effort, they were a pleasant addition to our road trip!

Talk to you soon.