More Camping

Last weekend, Michael and I went camping. Back in VA, Mike used to go camping with his friend Brad. They liked to load everything on their packs and march off into the woods. I, however, prefer drive-up camping. Since we weren't going to have to carry it far, we decided to get a new, large-enough-for-an-air-mattress tent. Isn't it cute?



The ground was spongy with moss and erupting in mushrooms.



Our campground was here on Horseshoe Cove on Baker Lake, at the foot of Mt. Baker. There are snow capped mountains behind those clouds, but you will just have to take my word for it.



The forecast was for rain and the sky looked like it was going to keep that promise. So, we decided it was a good day to jump in the car, head east, and check out North Cascades National Park.



Be careful Michael!


Highway 20 winds through North Cascades National Park. Along the way is a series of dams and lakes.








We left the lakes and headed up into the clouds.





We saw lots of little waterfalls.







When we got to the highest elevations and got out of the clouds, the plants changed to all evergreens with low scrubby bushes ablaze in fall colors.






This is Washington Pass.



Don't Look Down!



This is Liberty Bell Mountain.





Once we got to the east side of the mountains, we were in the "rain shadow." It was so interesting how much more arid it looked.




We ended our eastward drive in this funny little "Old West" town called Winthrop.





After Winthrop, we headed back to our campsite where it was nice and wet. Michael was able to get a fire going and we were glad for our nice waterproof tent.

A few other trip highlights:

I had a talk with this squirrel. His name is Douglas.






Michael really hates to have his picture taken.



Poor Michael.

Follow-up Pictures

Here is another picture of cousin Harrison. So sweet...



This is another picture of Jazmin and Jasper - our puppy's mommy and daddy.



I saw this the other day out our window. I have no idea what it was about. I understand that there are fire boats - but I see anything on the receiving end so I don't think that's what it is. Any ideas?



With all the pretty pictures I have been posting - I thought a bit of balance might be in order. Sometimes, it looks like this:



What happened to the top of the needle?

Spring on The Mountain

For those of you not familiar with the lingo - "The Mountain" is Mt. Rainier. On a clear day, it's where you want to be.







This is Paradise. Really. That's what they named it.




What with all the glaciers and the mile high elevation here at Paradise, it is late summer before it is warm enough for "spring" blooms.









Doesn't this moss look cool?



This is the Nisqually glacier. Rainier is the most heavily glaciated mountain in the lower 48.



This is the view across Reflection Lake.





You can see Mt. Adams from Rainier. (Other Mountains too - but we didn't make it to all the lookouts.)