June 25, 2015. To Mount Rainier!

CAMPGROUND:  Cougar Rock Campground inside Mt. Rainier National Park.  Like most national parks, no hook-ups, but great nature.  Woodsy sites.  So-so bathrooms.  3 stars. $10/night with senior pass.

LOCATION:  About 130 miles southeast of Seattle

WEATHER:  Record heat wave.  Highs in 90s.  100s in valleys. Cooler at higher elevation

We drove about 200 miles southwest from Leavenworth to Mount Rainier, through miles and miles of orchards....Apple, peach, pear and cherries.  Lots of  fruit stands.  As we got closer to the park, we rose in elevation and the landscape transitioned to pine trees.  There are some beautiful mountain lakes nestled in the forests.  

We got our first look at Mt Rainier from about 100 miles away....we turned a corner, and it was just there!

As we were driving along beside a canyon with a lake below, we suddenly heard this really loud whoosh.  It really scared us.  What could be wrong with the car?  We then realized it was a jet flying super low, almost parallel to us over the canyon, doing some tricks.

We stopped at the first campground inside the park and looked for a site.  Nothing available.  So, we drove on, westward through the southern edge of the park.  We kept getting glances of the volcano, growing as we approached.

We stopped for a late picnic lunch in one of the prettiest spots on top of one of the mountains, called Paradise.  The mountain wildflowers are at their peak.  Just beautiful.  The ranger told us that they normally don't bloom until mid-August.  Climate change? 

Another great view, this time with a small lake in front...

We originally had planned to stay here 3 nights, but now have decided to just stay one night. The main activity is hiking, and at 90+ degrees, it is just too hot.  We arrived at the park's second campground.  Every site is reserved, many for the weekend starting tomorrow, so we found one of those sites....open tonight, campers arriving tomorrow.  That will fit into our revised plans.  We will keep driving tomorrow, hoping to find a park with A/C for the weekend.  We have about 5 days in Washington/Oregon before we fly to the Midwest.

Our nice neighbors tonight are  a mom and her 6-year-old.  He was excited about a dinner of s'mores.

DINNER:  Beans and rice with some sausage cooked in the grill. Salad on the side.