The Trip Home--Mount Rainier

As we were coming up on Sea Tac Airport, I looked out the window across the aisle and saw Mt. Rainier as clear as ever.  My phone's camera is not the best for speed or distance, but I was still able to get the above shot.

Friend's Father Dee Molenaar Celebrated On Seattle Times Front Page

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday morning to see a front page article about Dee Molenaar, one of the area's premier mountain climbers.  Molenaar passed away last month at 101. 

Mr Molenaar's son, Pete was in my dorm in at WSU and we have been friends ever since. 

In an era when this area in the shadow of Mt Rainier was famous for it's hikers, kayakers, and mountain climbers, Mr Molenaar stood out.

 From the article, it seems Mr Molenaar did not seek fame, but climbed for the sheer love of it.  He was also an accomplished author and artist.

 He also led an expedition up Mt Kennedy in Canada with Senator Robert Kennedy to honor the late President John F. Kennedy.

I never met Mr. Molenaar, but from the article, it seems like he was much like his son, modest, but committed to social justice.  

To read the great article  click here.

Not Much Snow This Year??

Heading back from Walla Walla, we wanted to avoid the holiday rush on I-90 and took Highway 410 from Yakima through Naches. That took us over Chinook Pass which has elevations up to 54oo feet (above photo) Although the area was covered with snow on May 31st, the road was bare and wet. If you have ever driven through Chinook, (it was our first time), you know that the road is narrow and windy, it made for a fun trip.

The road took us around Mt. Rainier to Enumclaw where we got on the Maple Valley Highway and went back home.

Our Little Mountain

The vistas of Mount Rainier from our subdivision in Maple Valley are astounding. Although it is usually only visible on a clear day, sometimes The Mountain is silhouetted within a thin layer of clouds. The picture above was taken from Google Images because our camera would not do it justice.