Everything Kathryn said was right but I wanted to capture some stats and a lesson.
So from White River to Longmire it was 31 miles and +6800ft and -5900ft. Of course I didn't finish so take a few miles off but it was a monster day.
The old gray mare ain't what she (he) used to be.
Some pics...
I'll finish you mountain. One day....one day.
Onto Washington State! Officially the farthest most state in the CONUS from South Carolina! I couldn't believe we'd made it. It was here that me...and the kids were missing home. But Mt. Rainier was in front of us with a big goal to achieve. Beau had previously hiked the perimeter of Mt. Rainier with his good buddy, Morgan. They were unable to finish due to injuries. For those of you unaware, the trail that goes around the base of Mt. Rainier is 93 miles. And throughout this trail that are only a few places where you can get on/off the trail. Beau and his buddy had finished 2/3 of the trail. It has been eating at Beau to complete the last 30 miles. And we were here. Now was his opportunity. But who could go with him? Not me I said. He tried a buddy in Seattle with a no; tried to convince another to fly out and do and that was a no. But there was no way Beau was getting all the way there and not hiking. So off he went alone.
All four of us woke up before the sun to drive 1.5 hours into the spot where Beau had last left off and he started his 30 mile trek as a day hike. We gave hugs, a lunch, water and his phone and said goodbye for the day with the expectation that he would call when he was finished and we would pick him up at the end.
While Beau was off hiking, the kids and I made our way east to do some exploring in the towns. We stopped at a quaint cafe and grabbed some breakfast and then on to find a fun kid activity on a very cold and misty day. We went searching for sandals and clothes, as my children were quickly outgrowing everything they owned. And finally for a surprise movie at the theater to see Space Jam to include candy, soda and popcorn. After finishing our adventures we started the drive back to Mt Rainier, anticipating a call from Beau within a couple of hours. Glad we headed back when we did as Beau called us about halfway back to our campground (1.5 hour drive) telling us he needed us to come pick him up. Sadly, that meant he had not completed his goal.
Two hours later, we arrived at the gate to the National Park. When Beau called he said he was on a certain road and to look for him sitting on a bed of a truck... What? At the gate to the park I naturally asked the ranger where this road was and that I was here to pick up my husband. She looked at me wide-eyed and said "Well, that's a really long road, how are you going to find him?" I'll just drive until I see a man sitting on the bed of a truck and if I come back here in the dark you'll know I didn't find him.
The kids, Titus and I set off to find dad. Caroline kept asking me how we would see him; where was Dad; are we ever going to find him? All things I couldn't answer and was simply making up very positive answers for. The longer we drove the more I was trying to remember what he was wearing that morning and where I thought he told me he was. During our search it started raining, it's dropping in temperature and the sun is going down.
And then we finally found him! Sitting on an 18-wheeler bed wet and cold. Whew! Thank the Lord! Beau didn't finish that day, but we'll go back one day and he'll try again!
From the coast the fam drove on to Crater Lake National Park. Boy, that was a cold day and one that none of us were prepared for. I think the kiddos were in sandals and all we brought with us were rain jackets to "keep warm".
It truly was a beautiful place. Imagine what would look like a huge lake surrounded by trees. Mist over the water, glimpses of different shades of blue and trails that lead down to the bank from all sides. Highlights included the fact that Titus could walk around with us and Gray bought his first wallet. He had saved his money (chores from doing laundry) and felt like such a big boy. First thing he put in his wallet was the receipt they gave him after purchase.
We stayed at a great Oregonian vineyard from Harvest Host for the evening.
