Just another day at Mt. Rainer

Good morning!

A surprise this morning.  An internet connection from inside the RV.  Must be because all of our neighbors left yesterday and access to the hotspot is wide open.   Lucky me and lucky you!

Big tree with four trunks

A young couple with two small children purchased this, Mounthaven Resort, last April.  They have previously worked with his parents at a campground in MN that was family owned.  Yesterday I spend some time talking with the owner.  It is a very different life for them here but they love it.  The big difference is that they are always here and never have a day off.  I was commenting to her about the wildflowers and she hadn't even seen them.  She was telling me about their evacuation route that is Highway 59.  It is 9 miles straight up and is not maintained.  Potholes the size of a tire, needless to say the road is very rough.  Breath taking views from the top and the sunrises are spectacular.  They miss their families.

So yesterday our hike was much different as it was all in the forest.  Big trees, lots of shade, no flowers, steep switch backs, and a great deal of fun coming down. 

This was a huge rock slide area where we sat soaking in the sunshine and ate lunch

In some areas massive tress were blown over from storms.  Must take a work crew a long time to clear the trails!

Time line of a tree life cycle back at the Ranger Station
 

Mount Rainer Nat'l Park was established in 1899.  In 1937 Kenworth touring motor coaches brought tourist up to the Lodge.  The coaches were used until 1962.

Today we are off to" Grove of the Patriarchs"  to see the huge 1000 year old trees. It is on the other side of the park so it will be around 35 miles one way.  There is a short trail through the grove and I imagine it will be quite crowded. 

We did see this interesting plant yesterday.  Common Horsetail is known for it's cleansing properties and is a cure for diarrhea.  One of those interesting tidbits you learn when in nature!

Have a good day!