 |
| My first glimpse as we came around a bend in Mount Rainier National Park |
 |
| Christine Falls |
 |
| You can see how the continual water has worn a bowl out in the bottom. |
 |
| Christine Falls |
 |
| Mt. Rainier creates its own weather patterns. |
 |
| This picture was taken mid-afternoon. You can see how the warm sun has softened the snow in some places... the coloration of the snow is different. |
 |
| Aren't the clouds beautiful here? |
 |
| Flip flops and ...snow? Yes, snow. This part of the mountain is called Paradise. The snow doesn't completely melt here until July, but when it does there are about six weeks of snow free paradise. I have heard that the wildflowers that bloom here are absolutely gorgeous in August! |
 |
| Paradise gets the most snow in the whole USA. It averages 600-700 inches a year. |
 |
| Paradise serves as a base camp for mountain climbers. From Paradise to the summit is about a two day hike. |
 |
| Churning water about to descend in a waterfall. |
 |
| And there it goes! |
 |
| It is quite a noise! And a mist! We sat here and read for a while, and the sound of the waterfall in the background was just lovely. :) |
I'm working on finishing up my packing. Tomorrow I get to go into my new classroom for the first time and work on doing a little unpacking and rearranging. Monday I will be moving out of my house, Tuesday I'll probably be working a little more in my classroom, and Wednesday I'll be working on tying up loose ends before flying out that evening. Phew! Things are about to get really busy! I can't wait to see all of you very soon!
