We just came back from our now annual trek to Mt. Rainier. We can confirm for you that it is beautiful and relaxing and completely out of all connectivity range. Pay phone only. It was nice to be unplugged for a bit. 

While National Park Service is celebrating its 100 year anniversary, we are celebrating our one year anniversary. Since you have to start somewhere, it’s just as well to start where you are! 

We had been to Paradise Inn around the tail end of September last year and the enthralling memories stayed with us vividly throughout the entire year. It’s magical because the Inn is preparing to close for the season, and many of the summertime visitors have returned home. It gets quiet. Meanwhile the mountain is fully engaged in this incredible show of autumnal magnificence. 

We decided to go back this autumn and continue the tradition. It’s actually a tradition started by the Ayres Grandparents; Michael has fond memories of staying in Cougar Rock Campground with his parents and sister and spending time reading and playing in the great room of Paradise Inn where their grandparents had taken their lodgings. 

We skipped the campground step and went straight for the charming rooms. Last year we had twin beds, with the shared bathroom down the hall. It’s something special! This year we stuck with the shared bathroom down the hall, (it gives it an authentic climbers’ bunkhouse feel) but we opted for a double bed. We also brought the Instant Pot for hot meals cooked in the room and eaten downstairs and Lake brought his own auxiliary sleeping unit. 

 

We had a great time using the Inn as our base camp, with Lake along for the holiday!

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