Olympic National Park

Happy Easter everyone!  We took a short trip up to the Olympic National Park, and Laurence couldn't resist getting out of the warm dry car to take pictures in the pouring rain, standing in the stream!


Waterfall along the way to Sol Duc



Looking across the rapids in the Sol Duc river



Nice lines in the river



Stormy Lake Crescent - where we met way back in 1990.  Awwwww!

Mount Rainier

We headed up to Mount Rainier for our 20th Anniversary celebration.  We were treated to amazing weather, fun animal interactions, and beautiful wildflowers.  Plenty of deer, a fox, and hilarious marmots following Laurence and stuffing their faces with wildflowers were the animal highlights.



Self Portrait @ Bench Lake


Bench Lake reflection


Reflection Lake just after sunrise - lighting up the wildflowers


Wildflowers and Waterfalls


This marmot kept eating the wildflowers Laurence was trying to photograph

Mt. Pilchuck

Today we enjoyed a beautiful hike up and down Mt. Pilchuck in Snohomish County, Washington.  It's 3 miles each way, with over 2,200 feet elevation gain.

It's the most easily accessible peak in the Cascade Range - and it sure was busy on this perfect Northwest day - with hundreds of hikers and at least 25 dogs!

At the peak, there is an old fire lookout hut - now serving as a hiker shelter.  The peak itself was mostly stuck in a cloud, obsuring the 360 degree views Mt. Pilchuck is known for.  As a result, our photos today are not the typical variety for the hike.



A sliver of a view from the summit



Jennifer ascending the latter into the hiker hut on the summit



Abandoned ski lift equipment along the hike



Time for a quick pose on the way down

New Year Day Snow Shoe

Had a great time snowshoeing for a few hours in the North Cascades today, and ran into our friends Nathan & Judy!


Trail Marker


Jennifer & Judy


Jennifer, Judy & Nathan


Jennifer


Leaf & cones trying to hang on


Beautiful trees along the hike