9/6 - 9/9/21 - In case you noticed I have not posted to the Blog for the last 4 days. No cell, no internet, no radio, no anything in Olympic NP in and around Mt. Rainier.

9/6 - We continued our southerly route along the Pacific in Washington State. The area featured below is Kalaloch NP right on the ocean.We enjoyed a terrific spot on the ocean and quick walk to the beach. We listened to crashing waves.

Scenes along the Pacific - three mile hike on the beach. 

"Tree of Life" on the edge of the beach. Despite all the dirt washed out from underneath, it has continued to live. Its roots system has extended over hundreds of years to support the weight of the tree and provide nutrients.

Zoom in on this pic. Always surprised what you see on the beach

A very cold wave caught Wendy by surprise.

Silver dollars were plentiful on the beach to find

Sunset to end a great day on the beach.

9/7/21 We pulled up stakes leaving the beach heading southeast towards Mt Rainier. Ofcourse much to see along the way.

1,000 years old +/-

Tacoma side trip - we stopped at the Museum of Glass and adjacent pedestrian bridge made of glass. The area has been revitalized with marina's, high end multi-level housing and the new Museum of Glass. Tacoma along with private donations funded the construction of a pedestrian bridge containing over 2,000 pieces of Chihuly Glass artwork. I can image this collection is worth hundreds of thousand of dollars.

The Chihuly Glass is built into glass walls and ceilings along the bridge. 

Overhead ceiling mounted display

We made it to our camp spot at Silver Spring NP campground in the Mt Rainier area of the Cascade Mountain Range. Great spot for a two day adventure in this area, but it is very remote with absolutely no connections to the outside world.

9/8/21 We spent a very full day in Mt Rainier NP. In many ways this area is similar to Glacier, but Rainier NP has 26 glaciers the most in the lower 48. This area is a bucket list area to visit and hike. We didn't see the wildlife we saw in Glacier NP, but the close access to the top of Mt. Rainier NP via car is at 6,400' is just unbelievable. Mt Rainier at 14,411 is still 8,000 feet above the visitor center. The day was a blue bird day and wispy clouds cooperated to give us clear views of the mountain top

Mountain in the background is Mt. Rainier; about 40 miles away in this pic

The parkway to Mt Rainier is very much like the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier. Spectacular views. Rainier hidden by clouds stuck on the top.

 A view of a glacial lake from 6,400 feet

The historic Paradise Lodge at 5,400' with great views of Mt Rainier.

9/9/21 Travel day to Mt St.Helens in Washington State. On the way we had our last view of Mt Rainier and a short hike among 1,000 Spruce giants.

Swinging suspension bridge that was a little challenging to cross. The bridge provided access to an area of Spruce trees that were 500 years old when Columbus discovered America,.