Husband and I have been living in Washington for 20+ years and we just now made it to Paradise on Mt. Rainier. It. was. spectacular. I booked the camp sites at the beginning of spring and just happened to pick a weekend that landed on their centennial celebration! It meant that we didn’t have to pay for parking or any extra fees, which was a nice perk. We were so glad my brother, sister-in-law, and their daughter were able to join us because camping is more fun with friends. C and A loved riding bikes, making s’mores, and hiking with their cousin! 
One night we went to a little presentation done on the campground for the kids. The rangers who ran it were so nice and great with the kids. C and A earned these badges by filling out a little booklet handed out to them.
Taking the Junior Ranger oath. C was SO serious and adamant about it I just about died from the cuteness.
After he filled out his booklet C volunteered all on his own to share with the group. This astounded me, since he is normally very shy and anxious about things like that. But he marched right up with Husband and talked all about what he wrote. I can’t really describe how big of a deal this was for him, particularly because he is very aware of his speech impediment, but still was excited and wanted to share. I think Husband and I just about burst with pride. I’m proud that we’ve been able to foster this type of confidence in our little man.
Besides hiking on the mountain we also explored around a short little loop near our campsite that used to be a health resort where people would come a soak in the mineral springs that a man found there. An original cabin was there too!
I couldn’t get enough of this weird cloud!
Being able to wake up and hike right away was nice because we never ran into any crowds! It was a tad chilly though which I didn’t plan for at all, that was a bummer.
We couldn’t have asked for a better end to our camping adventures this season. It’s already been decided we are going back next summer, but this time we are going to try for the opposite side of the mountain, Sunrise.
We have two more trips till our summer is really over (*WHEW*) and I have to say, although I am going to miss the warm weather, I am not going to miss all the traveling and packing. It has been worth it. We have had one amazing summer so far!
