7-29-2025 Graham, WA

We have been in the PacNW for many days now and miraculously, it hasn’t rained on us.  Yet.  Although we did break camp tonight, just in case.  We drove 210 miles to this campground and we could have continued on to Rick (#1 son) and Trina’s house but driving through Seattle these days is a nightmare.  So we split up the trip into 2 smaller segments. 

 

This was a little blessing for me.  Yes, I lived in Washington for 4 years while attending the Dub but my face was buried in books the whole time.  I saw Mount Rainier from a distance, of course, and from 30,000 feet above it, but I never did get to pay a visit up close and personal.  Until now.  The road up is squiggly and windy, twisting through dense forest sometimes limiting speed to 15 mph.  This went on for upwards of 50 miles.

 

At about 6,000 feet elevation, the restaurant at the National Park Inn offered a nice lunch on the outdoor deck.  It was warm, sunny and the backdrop was the majestic, beautiful mountain.  Later, the drive up to Paradise, WA at a slightly higher elevation provided one of those views that make you gasp, “Oh my God!”  Absolutely breathtaking and spectacular.

 

The mountain takes no prisoners, however.  Since records began in 1897, 425 people have died scaling Her Majesty.  The main cause is falls, followed by hypothermia, drowning and avalanches.  Like the ocean, I find Mother Nature mesmerizing but I cut her a wide berth and have a healthy respect.

 

The next day was a lazy day at home in Noobee.  Camp Lakeview is situated on Tanwax Lake.  There is a beach and the water is fairly warm.  I could hear it calling me and my paddleboard.  I actually got about 45 minutes of paddling in the sunshine.  Unfortunately, the lake is open to motorboats and jet skis that create scary wakes and in the end, I gave up.  It was fun while it lasted.  Because eastern WA is experiencing drought conditions, campfires are banned and screaming children wear thin and so, after a couple of days of fun activities, it came time to pack up. 

I'm way out there!
An hour later, my knees
were still wobbly!

I made it up!  Kinda
wobbly, though!

 

We are now on our way to our next stop:  Snohomish, WA for a few Friends and Family Days.  Seattle is no longer the inviting place it used to be.  Vandals throw rocks and bricks off of overpasses, crime abounds and the homeless crisis is out of control.  Pike Place Market was one of my favorites back in the late 70s and early 80s.  Now, it is unsafe at any price.  A sad testament to the current leadership.  We are skirting around to the east, keeping our distance from the decaying city.  It’s always a fun time with Rick and Trina and they are flexible with check-in and check-out times!  A toast to our new hosts!