Buena Buena

Alki Beach Views

For postcard perfect views, we headed to Alki Beach. Yes, that really is Seattle back there. While talking to someone, a Seattle native, about their hometown, they simply said that Seattle sparkles. From these pictures anyone can see that yes, Seattle sparkles. We really loved visiting the area and hopefully we will be chaning our WV for WA in the next few years. Or less.

Mia loves raisin bran?

Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier was a constant presences throughout our trip; no matter where we went, rainy or sunny, it was always the backdrop. We were lucky enough to head to the national park while we where there. We enjoyed the windy back roads all the way there and the amazing sights along the way. The park far surpassed our greatest expectations. Mount Rainier is an activie volcano (last activity was recorded in 1894), and the highest peak in the Cascade Range. It is covered by 26 major glaciers--the most in any of the lower 48 states.

When we stopped to each our lunch of chicken and bread, we were joined by a group of Steller's jays and Gray jays. They were very aggressive about being fed, and would come right up to our tray and help themselves. One jay even tried to fly off with an entire, uneated chicken leg. They also like to wack me in the back of the head, which they did twice. Two park rangers came over and had to chase them off. We got some really great pictures though. (I felt like I was on Snapshot Adventures...)

Steller's jay

Gray jay

Driving up to Mount Rainier

We thought we would drive as far as we could up Mount Rainier and then hike around. We were so unprepared! It snows all year round up there (it had snowed the day before...). We dressed as warmly as we could (I pretty much wore all the clothes I had packed), but hiking required snow shoes. The road driving up was lined on both sides by super huge snow drifts. We enjoyed the visitor's center at the top as well as the amazing views. Someday we will go back and make it to the top! All 14,411 feet of it.

Mount Rainier: Comet Falls

Driving down from the top, we spied this cute little bridge and decided we needed to find a way to get to it.

We found this snow covered trailed and hiked on a couple of feet of snow in some places.

And we found the bridge!

It crossed over this neat waterfall. Our favorite hike we were able to do in all the snow at Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier: Trail of the Shadows

Located in Longmire was a short trail through the mountain plain. The area has mineral hot springs and great views. Longmire settled the area and turned the mineral water into a resort. Now the deer enjoy the baths that remain.