Day trip to the mountain named after Rear Admiral Peter Rainier.

Today we took a day trip up to Paradise on Mt. Rainier.  The weather was great so we had a fun time playing in the snow and then taking a short hike around the Longmire meadow area on our way back down.

Ants!  You probably thought I'd start off with a picture of the mountain or something.  We found a nice mound of the little criters near the Longmire meadow area.  I still feel a little itchy from getting close enough to get that picture. 

Heading up to the snow from the parking lot at Paradise.

This was Lilly's first real experience with snow.  We had a ton of it last year but she wasn't big enough to get out and play in it.

She quickly got the hang of it, although obviously oreo's still outweigh playing in the snow on the coolness scale.

Kori and Lilly heading down the trail.

After watching a few kids hurl snow at each other Lilly gave it a try.  Although instead of throwing the snow she employed more of a kamikazi manouver and just ran into us with her hands out and full of snow.

Lilly trying to get Mom to do some mountaineering.

My little hambone.

Chillin in the snow.

Thank goodness we dont go anywhere withouth 47 sets of dry, clean clothes for her.

Some of the surrounding peaks as seen from Paradise.

Admiral Rainier's mountain.

The mountain, as seen in Admiral Rainier's day.

A bird!

Checking out the Longmire meadow.

The mountain, as seen from the meadow.

I think the beavers may have been a little optimistic about this one.

What happens when Lilly gets a hold of the camera.

Our budding photographer.  She's really into shelf portraits at the moment...

Hiking in the snow (and slush and rain)

Today cousin Drew, brother Kurt and I decided to take a hike up to Lake TwentyTwo.  Its a nice beginning of hiking season trail that has just enough elevation to remind your legs what it feels like to move uphill for a while.  It was a little soggy but I think everyone had a pretty good time.

If you're a waterfall fan this is a great hike.  We must have passed 6 or 7 at least on the way up the hill.

A few sections of the trail could use a little TLC...

One of the neat things about this particular trail is that it runs through a swath of old growth (never been logged) cedar trees.

Another perspective of the size of some of the cedars.  Its hard to tell but Drew and Kurt are leaning against the trunk.

More falling water.

And more giant trees.

We're just getting into the snow at this point.  The lake is only at 2400 feet so we weren't really expecting to see much snow.  We were a little suprised as you'll see in a bit.

Only a few hundred feet higher up its starting to look downright wintery.

By the time we reached the lake it was snowing, with at least a foot on the ground.

Lake TwentyTwo

TwentyTwo creek as it leaves the lake.

More of the lake

One more shot of the lake

Kurt and Drew exploring around the edges of the lake.

Time for a little lunch

Kurt fixing up Drew's PB&J with a little basil.

Drew made me take this of him, he thinks he looks very mountain manny in it.

Kurt checking out the lake.

Supposedly Mt. Pilchuck is hiding up ther in the clouds.  We'll have to go again someday when there's a little more blue sky.

One last vain attempt to spot Mt. Pilchuck.

All in all, a very cool day with good buddies and a fun hike.

Zooooo Aminals (As quoted by Lilly)

Lilly is almost 2 years old.  Thats almost 24 months in baby years!  To celebrate her birthday a little early we took a trip to Woodland park zoo with her Northside Papa and Nana (not to be confused with Papa and Nana South).  Lilly loves animals (especially the quacks and elles) and had a great time.  Even better for her, she got to ride on my back and experiment with new and interesting methods of removing my hat and smearing whatever happened to be on her dirty little toddler hands (usually food) in my hair.  All in all, a good time was had by all.

 

FYI, I'll be captioning the pics using Lilly's terminology for the fauna. 

Checking out the Elles

  

A view of a kitty you wouldn't want out in the jungle.

The kitty's got a little cranky with each other.

A lazy bear ROOOAAARRRRR!!!!!! (she can't say bear without throwing in the roar).

A whoooo

Puppy!

An eagle (really, she can say eagle, seriously...)

 

Birdy!

A kitty enjoying lunch