Mt. Rainier - Part 3

Our favorite part of the trip was a hike in the alpine meadows above Paradise Lodge. Rick's father was mountain guide back in the 1930's. He has a small outcrop named after him and we have made it a tradition to hike up to that spot each year.



We divided up the kids. Rick carried Collin. Andrea carried Elliott up the mountain. Michael carried Isabel up the mountain and Elliott down.



This year had the most snow we have ever seen. With a heavy winter and cool spring, there were a lot of snow fields to cross. We all found it a little treacherous, but the kids loved it. 72 Degrees and hiking in the snow in July! Papa Rick glacaded down the hill with Collin and Michael followed suit, sliding down the glacier on a garbage bag with Elliott in the Baby Bjork or Bjorn or whatever. (Sorry no pictures of that)





Family Picture - we had to choose between Collin wailing and
Collin sucking his thumb. (He was upset because we made him stop climbing on the snow so we could take the family picture.)




Andrea decided to take up country style and wear a cowgirl hat for the hike. We all teased her about it but she made it look pretty good.



Collin loved hiking so much he spent the rest of the afternoon walking around with the hiking poles. They collapse down to kid-size.