A night in a motel at White Pass for resupply and recuperation was perfect, but could have been longer. Everything dried from the rain. Tidy Camper did a combined laundry. Dick Eastlick drove us to the town of Packwood for dinner.
It was hard for me to get going in the morning. Going slow, enjoying a few cups of coffee, and visiting was so nice. The others headed out about 8:00. I didn't get on the trail until a little before 10:00. When I finally got on the trail it felt great. I made good time and caught up. It was a relatively easy twenty mile day. A light pack made the difference. Dick agreed to meet us Friday at Chinook Pass so only one day of food was carried. What a nice feeling. There was plenty of water along the way too, so not much water weight was required.
I was thrilled to meet Halfmile again on the trail. The last time we were together was just before reaching the California-Oregon border. He is hiking alone now because Deb (Staying Afloat) got off the trail in Ashland, Oregon and is now trail angel support for Halfmile. He joined the family for the camp at Two Lakes for the evening. He didn't sing much.
It was fun just to sit around in the evening as we finished early. We sang. Princess played rugby for ten years in Germany. She knows some quite interesting rugby songs. The songs she sang were not church appropriate. Then, ironically interspersed, we sang many songs that were church appropriate because everyone knew the words, like Amazing Grace.
In late afternoon I entered Mount Rainier National Park.
September 5-Friday-Ranier National Park
I left early before everyone else and was treated to elk bugling, and a beautiful view of Mount Ranier to the west with the morning sun. The bugling elk brought back memories of the Gravelly Range in Montana. What a great morning.
I saw a cow elk, but the picture shows nothing. It was a wildlife morning. Getting an early start definitely helps with wildlife viewing. Elk, deer (a beautiful buck), grouse, many other birds, etc, made the morning fun.
On the east side of the ridge is National Forest land, and it's hunting season. We shared the trail with some bow hunters looking for elk. Any bugling elk on the east side of the ridge ( outside the National Park) was probably a hunter :).
We made it to Chinook Pass and reconnected with Dick (Mr. Snickers) for our resupply and had lunch. It was such an easy hike to this point with light packs. We were so lucky to have the help from Dick.
Life is good
