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Mountain Man. And Woman.

DAY THREE - Mount Rainier

This day ranks up there as my "top 3" days of the trip. It was an unexpected adventure that we decided to do last minute because of the recommendation from a local. I am so glad we took the time to venture over to Mt. Rainier because this day was incredible.

We woke up early and headed out to the mountain which was two hours north of Seattle. After about three hours on the road, we realized that we took the LONG route, which means to get to our destination of choice on the mount (there were different points you could choose from), we had to drive all the way around the entire mountain - which was going to take two MORE hours. We knew that we had the entire day devoted to this adventure, so we grasped hands and kept'a driving.

Husby and I drove through the thick forests of Washington with our ears popping and eyes glued to the beauty that surrounded us. We had the best of times exploring together.

Around noon, we decided that we were hungry for something more substantial than the pistachios and cherries that we brought along for the ride. We were so deep in the woods that we knew we were going to have few choices for a lunch eatery. We kept driving and kept our eyes peeled. We drove past a small sign that read "Alpine Inn this way", and looked at each other and smiled. We turned left and headed 8 miles off the beaten path.

When we arrived to the Alpine Inn, we gasped. It was a gorgeous ski resort with a fabulous little eatery.



Husby and I had a contest at each meal based on who ordered "the best meal". He won hands down here with the best pepper jack french dip sandwich either of us have ever eaten.

Check it out. It looks like a little cottage in the Swiss Alps.



These mountains may not mean much to you depending on where you are from....but I am from a place without mountains, so I found this captivating! If you have mountains out your window - don't take them for granted. Kind of like I don't take for granted the rolling plains of complete nothingness where I come from. ;)



We stopped approximately 9,846 times on the way to take pictures. And it was so hard to capture the beauty that we were seeing with a mere camera.

This was the first distant view of the mount!



This is me trying to be a photographer:



This is me trying to be hilarious:




What you don't realize when on a duo vacation is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get pictures together as man and wife. We did our best to capture head shots and trying to get the mount in the background. The strangers we asked to take our pictures never seemed to capture the mountain in the picture. Duh...why do you think we want our pictures taken in front of it?



Then we happened on a waterfall!





As the snow melted on the mountain it created breath taking waterfalls.

What I didn't know was that once you drove to the highest point that cars were allowed on the mountain...you had to hike up if you wanted to go further. I. Wanted. To. Die. Husby made me hike over two miles up that blasted hill and I thought I was dying. Literally. I mean, the thing was a constant incline and it was like trying to climb up a wall. It was horrible. Luckily, it was very cool outside and for crying out loud - there was snow on the ground. He caught the whole dramatic scene on video and with the fits I was throwing - I am not sure that I want to see it.

Here I am half way up.




I am back there in the far distance somewhere. Complaining and near tears. My gams were howlin' and I just wanted to STOP! But I didn't want to be that close and give up. So I just whined and made my way through it.




He ALSO caught on video me TUMBLING down a snowy hill.

THIS hill:



I was soaked.

Was it worth it?




Most definitely.





There I go trying to be a photographer again. Husby makes fun of me, but when I'm not looking - I catch him doing it too.



After being up, down and around the mountain for 6 hours, we made our way out (down) and stopped at an old rustic diner recommended by our Frommer's book because it supposedly had "the best blackberry pie in Washington". Whew, boy howdy did they! It was fabulous.





All day I could not stop thinking about and praising our God - Elohim, the Creator. So amazing.

The entire experience was unspeakably fantastic.

Stay tuned for day 4 thru 8 throughout the week!

I am a modern day homemaker with a passion for family, cooking, celebrating, decorating, travel, and memory making! The Lord has blessed me with the desires of my heart in my husband and our two sons. We recently built our dream home and cultivating a loving and happy haven for my family is where I find so much joy.

Comments

  1. This is crazy....we stayed at that Copper Leaf Inn where you had the blackberry pie!!!!! They have adorable little rooms upstairs and we stayed with some friends of ours!! We lived in Washington for a short time while my husband was in the Navy and took a weekend trip to Mt Rainer. Anyways...just had to share!

    I am loving seeing all your trip pictures! I LOVE Seattle and the whole state of Washington for that matter. It was definitely the best place we were ever stationed!

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  2. I LOVE YOU! You are so cute and funny! I stumbled upon your blog and stayed because we have the whole housewife-dream thing in common. Now I'm living my dream (with a two year old daughter)and it's a great adventure.
    Your pictures are beautiful!

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  3. Omg, your pictures are breathtaking. My boyfriend and I went to Oregon last year and it was the same when we went to Mt. Hood...just beautiful beyond words. We wanked to go to Mt. Rainer, but we ran out of time.

    Take care and hugz,
    Michele

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  4. Yes we did eat there one night and had the famous pie. It was delicious!!!!!

    We loved it out there...now we live in the mid-west and love it here too but it's nothing like Washington!

    I can't wait to see the rest of your pictures!

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  5. Amazing!!! I've just found you and...I love your title and your dream! BTW, I love the cherry pics. I'll be reading more....

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  6. I think you did great as a photographer! Those pics are great.

    Rainier is beautiful isn't it. Looking forward to more vacation pics.

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  7. I love the cherry on the mountain picture! Very cute and clever.

    That pie looks delicious!

    What I wouldn't give to be in a little snow right now. We are on vacation in Arizona and it is very, very hot!

    Great pictures, and I'm sure even better memories.

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  8. I think you would make a great photographer! Can't wait to see all the creative pics you take when you have children! (Like maybe a child on the mountain!?)--btw the cherry on the mountain pictures is ADORABLE! You guys are too cute! Glad you all had fun!

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  9. Everything is beautiful! I know what you mean about getting pictures of the two of you while you are on vacation. Ty hates it when I ask people to take our pic. Anytime I see couples or families, I always try to volunteer to take their picture so they don't even have to ask people. Can't wait to see more!

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  10. Fun pictures - I'm anxiously awaiting more!

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  11. i love these pictures! incredible views. what a fun trip! my most fav is the mountain with the cherry on top :)

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  12. That mountain had Whip Cream and a Cherry on top! Nice pics!

    I know what you mean about hiking those steep inclines, but look at the workout you got. I'd rather get exercise hiking than in a gym.

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  13. What a fun, yet painful, experience! I can just hear you moanin' and groanin' as you trucked up that mountain. At least it was worth it.

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  14. That is very funny. And I love the cherry on the tip of the mountain pix. I intend to do the same with some of the local vineyards ... I had a good chuckle out of this posting! Thanks!

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  15. looks like an awesome adventure! welcome back! i love ypur blog and pics!

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  16. I'm catching up on your adventure but so far it looks like youve had a wonderful time!

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  17. WOW - looks amazing...I enjoy reading your blog because I feel like we have so much in common - its kinda weird! Can't wait to see more pics - praise God for his beautiful creation!!!

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  18. thanks Housewife-Wannabe friend :) i like your blog too...looks like you had an awesome vacation :) Washington is such a beautiful state! definitely praise-worthy of the Lord!!! have a blessed day +

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  19. Well I'll be darn, I did a painting of "Horses Near Fence on Mt. Rainier" and it won a position in the Paint the Parks Top 100 that toured the country. It just sold at Kolb Gallery in the Grand Canyon. You'll have to see it - it is on the front page of my artist website at www.vaughnfineart.com. But, anyway, you stopped by my personal blog - Raisin Toast - and left a very nice comment and so I am stopping by your blog and saying "Hi!" That is when I discovered you were at Mt. Rainier and had to share about my painting. Hey! Take some great pictures and I'll do a painting for you and your soon-to-be-doctor husband. Nice to meet you!

    Susan
    http://www.raisin-toast.com

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  20. I love the pictures. How beautiful! You two are the cutest couple too! Now I want to go!

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  21. Wow! I can't wait to share these pictures with my husband when he comes home.

    And please just let me say, "I loved the cherry on top pictures!" Soo funny!:)

    Both of you and your husband's attempts at being photographers I must say were all very successful. These pictures are beautiful!

    My husband is going to go nuts when he sees them.

    I'll be back for more of this amazing trip.

    God Bless,
    Amy:)

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