A Visit to Paradise

 On July 11th, my parents and I drove out to Mt. Rainier National Park.  The Park is only 2 hrs from our home.  We have visited this park several times over my life, but this is the first time that we have spent the night!

We drove up to Paradise on the south side of the mountain.  We had a quick lunch and then walked the paved trails up the mountain.

There was a lot of snow on the trails.  All of our shoes got really wet.

My parents and I passed a lot of mountain climbers coming down from summiting the top.  The air was thin, but it was the perfect day.

We saw alpine chipmunks and two marmots!  Not to mention, Mt. St. Helen's and Mt. Adams.

It was definitely easier coming down to the visitor center.  After our hike, we checked into the the Historic Paradise Inn.  We had dinner in the dining room and enjoyed the quietness that the evening brought, since most of the day hikers had left.

Crystal Mountain Again

I have a whole week off for Mid-Winter Break and Mom took me skiing today!  We went back, just the two of us, so Mom could focus just on me.  I like to ski slow and controlled.  We got there early, so I had some tea and Mom a coffee.

At 9:00 am when the chairlifts opened, we got out there.

 The scenery is amazing!  Nothing like the Cascades for some awesome views.

 We skied until one o'clock, and I was tired.  We stopped because Mom wanted to end our afternoon on a high note.  Once we turned in our equipment, we rode the Gondola up to the top of the mountain.  I was excited to ride in one of these things.

 Unfortunately, Mount Rainier is right behind me.  The cloud is covering it.

 Mom and I took a selfie.

 We rode the gondola back down.

 I cannot ski these slopes yet, but maybe someday.

July

Mom and I cam back from the Mid-West with no plans.  We do have some structure, get up before 8, walk dogs, meet/play with friends, learn. how to cook and karate.

 This is one of our local beaches. Mom and I like to walk down here, it is a steep walk through the woods with redwoods ending up at the Sound.  The fog was in when we arrived.

It rolled out before we left.  You can faintly see Mt. Rainier in the middle of the picture.

I still love walking on the logs.

My new favorite creative thing to do is to cook and bake.  Mom let's me use all the knives!  I am making one of my favorite things to eat, chicken fried rice.  First cutting the chicken...

 

 onions...

  carrots-no peas, I dislike peas!

 Heating up the oil in the wok, adding the onions....

I really enjoy this, so Mom has been getting me into the kitchen to help out.  One more month of summer vacation and then school starts, September 1 rst!

Sunrise-Mt. Rainier

Mom is at it again.  I am starting to get tired driving out to volcanoes.  We went out because my cousins Surina & Maya are visiting from California.

 

 I wasn't very happy today, so Tha-tha , Surina, & Maya went on a short hike without us.  I did manage to give Mom this great picture. You are welcome.

 Sunrise is on the north side of Mt. Rainier.  It is more rustic than Paradise, but just as pretty.  This Lincoln Log place is the Visitor Center and housing for the park rangers.

Inside the Visitor Center they have information on volcanoes.  I had a great view of  the top of Mt. Rainier with this telescope.  Mom and I also learned that Washington State has 5 volcanoes! Wow!

This building has a shop and snack bar.

Tha-tha with Maya & Surina.

Maybe some day I will appreciate these visits.