Ok, it wasnt pretty, however, I finally made it to Mt. Rainier, WA. Got off to sort of a late start (thanks guys) but made it to Rainier before it got dark. Good thing because the roads where narrow and winding up and down the valleys all around Rainier. I actually asked the Circles group (personal assistants available to all JPMC employees) to find and book me a place to stay in the park. Given Id be there on the weekend and it being summer I thought it best not to wing this one. Almost every place was booked except for this place just outside the parks gates that had a large log cabin available. Check this place out. It was the largest cabin in the place and could sleep six. I was getting some strange looks by all the families packed into the smaller cabins once they realized it was just me. Notice the fire going. It was 50 degrees at night and only 65 during the day.    Unfortunately I had to sleep in Saturday morning (once again, thanks guys), however, when I finally got my act together I hit up nearest visitors center. Since I was this big time hiker now I asked the Ranger for a nice hike that was safe to do solo. He made a couple suggestions and set me off to hike Nickel Creek for a nice low key 8 miler. I get to the trail head and set off. Well this thing didnt ease you into it like the monster hike at Glacier did. Immediately it starts a 3500 foot vertical assent in just 2 miles. Ugh!!!
Hiked over several snow fields and caught some nice views of Rainiers peak. Four hours later I was back and pretty shot. I popped the top off the car and spent an hour driving through the park.
 My Saturday night. Since many of the places Ive been staying dont have dial up access (or I should say phones) Ive been keeping up off-line. Im able to upload the pictures from the camera. Organize them, cut them down for easier downloading, and write the text in advance. This way when I do have a chance to dial up things can move faster and I can spend less time on-line. |
