Georgia and I got to go on a mother-daughter road trip to Mount Rainier National Park this past summer. Since Bergen and I traveled to Mount Rainier National Park together in the spring of 2018, she felt like she needed a special one on one trip too! We stayed at the newly renovated Paradise Inn. Paradise Inn opened in 1916, but it was just recently renovated and reopened for the start of the 2019 summer season.
And the Wild is Calling +News and Inspiration//8
News::
- Bergen and I recently enjoyed a mother-son weekend getaway exploring Mount Rainier! While we both loved exploring the national park, our highlight was actually the horseback trail ride we did in a small town just outside the entrance.
- The whole family is headed to Walla Walla, Washington for another weekend getaway, and part of Bergen’s spring break next week.
- Speaking of national parks, the next FEE FREE day of 2018 is Saturday, April 21st, the first day of National Park Week.
Inspiration::
- Frustrated and discouraged by flight costs these days? Adventures After Coffee blog just shared 5 of the Best Cheap Flight Hacks. Great advice! We’ve got 10 tips of our own for saving money on flights as well.
- Do your kids (or maybe even you) need to boost your mindfulness and self-regulation? These nature-inspired mindful moments cards (free printable) from Wilder Child just might do the trick.
- Mat Coulton explains the ways dogs can help our children connect to nature. A great tie-in to my recent post about building an active outdoor lifestyle with dogs AND kids!
- Book of the Week: Lou Whittaker: Memoirs of a Mountain Guide. The owner of the cabin that Bergen and I rented near Mount Rainier recommended this fascinating memoir since the cabin was actually previously owned by Lou! The book opened up a whole new world of mountain climbing adventure for me. While I’m pretty darn sure I’ll never climb to the top of Mount Rainier, I’m completely inspired!
What are your spring break plans?
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Spring Visit to Mount Rainier with Kids: Where to Eat, Play & Stay
A crackling fire. Birds chirping. Elk grazing. A fresh spring snow fall outside our cabin window. Excited 6-year old exclamations. Twisting, turning mountain roads that took my breath away, and brought tears to my eyes. Clip-clopping horse hooves as they navigate the trail. Bubbling geothermal phenomena. The yummy crunch of snowshoes and sleds on fresh snow.
These are the sights and sounds lingering in my mind from a spring time visit to Mount Rainier. Of course any time of year will provide visitors with a remarkable experience, but spring brings surprises and changes as the mountain and surrounding area transition from a long winter. Plus, don’t tell anyone else, you’ll find fewer crowds, giving you more space to take-in this wonderland in all it’s glory.
Washington State Winter Destinations for Families
Where will you explore this winter? We are lucky to live in a region that offers so many amazing and beautiful destinations. From my own backyard in Seattle to every other corner of Washington State, there are countless places to experience what is most special about the winter season.
I’m highlighting just 5 Washington State winter destinations, places our family has traveled to in the past 6 years that we’ve enjoyed in the winter months, but I don’t want the ideas to stop there. Please add your favorites in our comment section!
Hike Down Crystal Mountain: Sunshine and Daisies to Dust and Rocks
The Mount Rainier Gondola took us up to 6,872 feet of elevation, but we were determined to get back down to the base of Crystal Mountain Resort all on our own. We decided to take the slow route, and hike.
Our journey began with an easy to navigate trail, and before we knew it, we were surrounded by wild lupines, daisies, and Indian Paintbrush. We stopped often to take in the fields of purple, and admire the mountains in the distance.
We were happy to see Bergen content on my back in the Ergo, and I was happy to still be able to carry him this way! While we walk quite a bit around town, our last true hike was in Arizona back in March, so we weren’t sure how he’d react to this 6-mile decent.
Magically, at about 30 minutes in, he decided to take a snooze. I ended up pushing ahead of Slaed and his Mom, and was alone for most of the remainder of the hike. We quietly continued on crossing streams, and circling alpine lakes.
It was right around here when the trail began to become questionable. The lack of clear signage and markings left us (along with another group of hikers) wondering which path would be best to travel. Even though we had a map, it was tricky to figure out, and we certainly didn’t want to take any chances of making this a longer hike with a one year old on our hands. We decided to venture down a “road” instead of linking up with the Silver Creek Trail. The road lead us into some rocky, dusty terrain.
Not exactly stellar hiking conditions, but fun to imagine with chairlifts filled with skiers, and the hills packed with snow in the winter. No complaints on the view either. I made my way down slipping and sliding, and just as the base of the resort came into view, Bergen started to put up a fuss. I couldn’t blame him. He was quite the trooper, and I was ready to be done too! I relieved him from the Ergo, and we strolled the rest of the way in search of refreshment.
Info to Know:
- We were attempting the “Crystal Mountain Trail” (#1161), which connects up with the “Silver Creek Trail” taking you back to the base. Be sure to have a map on hand. It would also be a good idea to talk the hike over with a guide at base to be sure of the turns!
- Good, sturdy shoes are a must! Even if you didn’t take the road on the last part like we did, the trails are still rocky, and you are going downhill nearly the entire way.
- 6 miles is strenuous. Bring plenty of water, and a high energy snack.
- Hat and sunscreen for sunny, warm, clear days.
- The resort is located near Enumclaw, Washington
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Crystal Mountain, WA 98022 - 1-888-754-6199 or 360-663-2265
Now go travel the world with Sundays in my City!
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Summer Fun at Crystal Mountain Resort
A “just right” summer day, and a visit from Gramma was exactly the motivation we needed to go on a day trip to the Mount Rainier area via Crystal Mountain Resort. The new gondola ride was calling our name, reminding me of the fun Slaed and I had riding a glass bottomed car on Whistler-Blackcomb’s Peak 2 Peak in British Columbia. The 4 of us could enjoy the view without all the work of hiking up the mountain.
As we walked aboard, I was curious to see how Bergen would react to the ride. I wondered if the heights would effect him. Would he get excited? Would he even notice?
For the 10 minute ride, the view had him captivated. As you can see, he loved pulling up on the bench or window, and looking down as we continued to climb higher and higher. I on the other hand, became surprisingly nervous! Especially when about half way through, our car paused, and we hung motionless. It turns out operators were just slowing down to help a car of elderly folks disembark. I wasn’t prepared, but was put at ease when it was our turn to step off the gondola, and I witnessed one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen.
Though pricey, I think the experience is worth the cost, and it makes for a nice excursion with out-of-town guests. We also splurged on lunch at the Summit House, the restaurant just off the gondola, which is actually Washington’s highest elevation restaurant (6,872 feet)!
Our Tips for a Good Mount Rainier Gondola Experience:
- Even if you are just going up and down on the gondola, good, sturdy shoes are a must. The terrain can be unpredictable with steep ledges and rocky paths.
- Be careful on the rocky ledges. There are not any barriers, so the slightest misstep could have you in a scary situation.
- Bring your camera and binoculars. The binoculars will help you get an even closer view and you might even spot some wildlife.
- Since we were with Slaed’s mom, we decided to make it really special and have lunch at the restaurant, but to save money, pack a simple picnic and enjoy one of the most breathtaking views in the world!
More info to know:
- Cost for round trip gondola rides range from $0-$20 depending on age.
- The resort is located near Enumclaw, Washington
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Crystal Mountain, WA 98022 - 1-888-754-6199 or 360-663-2265
- 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
- So much more summer fun to be had including: hiking, frisbee golf, horseback riding, biking, lawn games (like bean bag toss!), and of course, shopping.
Stay tuned for our hike down the mountain!
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