Our next stop in Mount Rainier National Park was at the brand new Paradise Visitor’s Center.
The surrounding scenery was spectacular- blue skies, snow covered mountains peaks, a few green trees dotting the foreground.
Still no Mount Rainier though- it was hiding behind a giant cloud.
We were close enough to be able to see a few of the glaciers just below the cloud line.
I think this visitor’s center is one of the few open year round for winter activities. They have some neat educational stuff & gorgeous floor to ceiling windows all around to enjoy the view.
We decided to walk a little bit up the mountain in the snow, as far as our shoes would let us. Apparently, much of this snow would melt away in a few weeks. The winter junkies were still out there hiking, camping and skiing down.
My cousin & uncle hiked about 100 yards up the hill before we started sinking in too far & our feet getting too wet and cold.
So the funniest story- this kid just walks up to me with a snowball in his hand. He stares at me, contemplating. I give him the evil eye & then he throws it at me! What the heck!?!?! It was all I could do not to grab my own and pelt him back. His mom was standing there with him & she just mumbled “sorry”.
There is an outdoor activity area where you can rent snow gear & you can even spend the night up here at the quaint little Paradise Inn.
GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: It’s a rainy, stormy day here in Houston with the tropical storm hitting town, but I’m hoping to squeeze a speed workout in between thunderstorms.
