Mt. Rainier National Park
Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 12:41PM 
Mt. Rainier,early morning, with the fog starting to rise...we were fortunate the day we arrived to have a bright sunny day...I am told this is not that common and many come and never see the peak...Mt. Rainier was another big draw for us heading to the Pacific Northwest...so after I took care of finding out about my Mom and Dad...we spent a day and a half at Mt. Rainier..I am never more at home that when I am surround by the ocean and the mountains...it is a beautiful and peaceful combination. In the Pacific Northwest, like my home, you get them both. This was the view when we arrived in the early morning. Big puffy marshmallow clouds, blue skies and a snow capped beauty.. I was very excited to back in the deep woods again...with a mountain leading the way.
Before heading to far into the park we came across the beautiful Narado Falls...I have already posted one photo from there with the bridge included...this shot was taken from above the bridge looking down into the falls...since we were there in October we didn't have to fight any crowds...what a delight to have the park practically to ourselves...giving us the time and space we wanted to enjoy all that surrounded us.
Moving further on and it is now about an hour later...we could see the mist and fog leavign the mountain..it was heart stopping beautiful...so many photo's were taken. Twice Jim and I have experienced full mountain views of mountains that don't usually come out to play...the first was Mt. McKinley in Alaska and now this..I truly believe the mountain Gods are always with us...and we never take it for granted, especially on this trip, where most days in the fall are rainy and we had our fair share of those...but on the days it really mattered we got the sun that we needed and love...once when visiting my Mom and Dad's church and then again at Mt Rainier...after that it was all down hill with rain...especially in Portland Oregon. So a bit of history for you if you care to know about Mt Rainier from Wikipedia...
Mount Rainier National Park is a United States National Park located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state.[3] It was established on March 2, 1899 as the fifth national park in the United States. The park encompasses 236,381 acres (369.35 sq mi; 956.60 km2)[1] including all of Mount Rainier, a 14,410-foot (4,390 m) stratovolcano.[4] The mountain rises abruptly from the surrounding land with elevations in the park ranging from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet (490 - 4,300 m). The highest point in the Cascade Range, around it are valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, old-growth forest and more than 25 glaciers. The volcano is often shrouded in clouds that dump enormous amounts of rain and snow on the peak every year and hide it from the crowds that head to the park on weekends.
So now that you have the info and can check it out at your own time...I'll just give you a few more views of the first morning we were there...as time goes by, I'm sure I'll be sharing more of my favorite stops with you..I would recommend Mt. Rainier park to all who have not walk the paths here. It is truly a natural marvel...when we come again it will be in the spring..I have to see those wildflowers that bloom here.
I even found a heart in the mountain...I think she knows I love her also..can you see it.
Mt. Rainier is part of the Cascade mountain range...I think I read somewhere that it is the tallest peak of that range...you can see it from wherever you might be driving...
Reflection Lake, where if your very early, you can see Mt Rainier reflected here...we were not that early but non-the less it was a most beautiful spot...I loved the color in all the little bushes...and once again the clouds were rolling away...we were really amazed at how fast the clouds would cover and uncover the mountain..it would get so dark and dreary and you'd think it was going to rain for sure then within minutes the sun would shine and the clouds would move on...this happened all day long.
Another view of Reflection Lake...looking away from the mountain..it reminded me a bit of the Bow River in the Canadian Rockies...
Late afternoon as we were leaving the park on our first day...we found this view of the Cascade Range...magic hour light and just layers and layers of mountains and clouds...
This day was a gift to us...in a lifetime you don't get many like this..where nature and fate share a date to bring you such beauty it's hard for your heart to hold it all..I never take these times from granted..knowing that the world is showing me that even though life has it's ups and downs...there is still so much natural goodness that can never be taken away from us...the woods, mountains and oceans sustain me in all that I do...it's where Being Still has real meaning. Nature provides you with all you need to just slow down, take it in and then take it home with you....
"Of all the fire mountains, like beacons, once blazed along the Pacific Coast, Mount Rainier is the noblest in form"...John Muir...
"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." John Lubbock
Reader Comments (11)
Oh my, I am in AWE at the beauty of these photographs and places! Your words are truly heartwarming, as are the sights of nature - so beautiful, and majestic. "it's where Being Still has real meaning" beautifully written!! I really hope you plan on making a photo album with blurb or someone with this trip! Too much beauty to not share. xx
Such beautiful pictures to tell the story. They have great depth, beautiful lighting and great coloring. You have a way of making one feel like they are right along with you. Once again I really enjoyed your Blog.
Yikes, what can I possibly say to this overflowing of the beauty of nature? The images are all spectacular and glorious. It makes my heart sing just to look at them. What a time you must have had. Your photography talent is clearly up to the task of capturing all this -- your images are amazing and beautiful. I agree with Beverly. You need to put these in a book or on a wall. Wow!
Wow, such a marvelous place! :)
Ahhh, what beauty you share with us. I find solace in the wild wilderness as well, it's where I truly belong, everything negative just vanishes. You and Jim are so lucky to share the same passion. "Photography allows us to keep the sacred moments in forever land." Original quote by Cowgirlrightup :)
Look at all you lovely people visiting the mountain with me...how lovely...the perfect day to come and see you all here.. Thank you Beverly, Peg, Sherry, Kia and my Heart Sister...(we share the mountains Marilyn)...
Your words and encouragement inspire me each time I visit here and on our streams...we are like people...so thankful to have you all in my life...
Truly breathtaking, Cheryl! I must add this spot to my bucket list of places to visit. While all your images are stunning, that last one, the view of the Cascade Range, just blows me away!! I think there's a bit of Ansel Adams in you, my friend!
Thank you Susan...it is a beautiful place but then again I have never been to a National Park that I haven't loved...yes, add it to your bucket list...it's a good one to see...and you know all about the light.
What incredible photos Cheryl. A photographers dream. And how fortunate you were that the clouds cleared away!
Stunning, Cheryl!
A photographer's dream . . . and what a fabulous job you did capturing the beauty!
So glad you had some sun!
I just realized that the person about me said the same thing about the dream . . .
Well, ditto ditto!
Glad you had such a successful trip, and thanks again for sharing it with us!
Simply stunning Cheryl, truly majestic.