Mt. Rainier, Monday, May 13, 2013

Our mission today was to go to Mt. Rainier National Park and, maybe, see this mountain peak.  The problem was that it was raining and expected to continue for most of the week.  The N.P.  was about 42 miles from the RV Park. Once at the Park we were told that we would only be able to go as far as the Paradise Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor's Center due to road closers which was not a surprise to us.  We drove through densely pine forested areas and stopped at  Longmire where there is a hotel opened year round, The National Park Inn, a gift shop and a museum.  Actually, we did not see the museum until we were leaving the park later in the day.

From 2013-05-13 National Park Inn

Continuing on, we drove a very winding road climbing upward as the temperature was falling and water was flowing.  There was still a lot of snow along the roads and on the mountain sides.  Waterfalls were cascading into rivers.  When we reached the Paradise Visitor's Center we stopped and spent some time.  Like all other centers there was a movie and displays.  Mt. Rainier is an active volcano and considered extremely dangerous.  With 25 glaciers on the mountain an eruption would be widely destructive.  Unfortunately, the clouds did not give way for us to see the peak.  The temperature had dropped from the mid 50's to 39 degrees at the Visitor's Center- along with rain it was cold there.  We had taken a picnic lunch along not knowing if food would be available.  Picnic tables were set up inside the Center where we ate our lunch.  A deli-type eatery was also available.

As we were leaving the park rumbles of thunder gave way to some heavier rain then the light showers we had been having today.  The sun did break out periodically but clouds would soon be closing over.  Tomorrow we will move further north.