Skywatch Friday - Rainier

Time for Skywatch Friday! This past Saturday on my trip to Enumclaw, Washington, I really figured I would not be able to see Mt. Rainier. When I left home, it was very cloudy to the south and past trips with similar skies have kept Rainier hidden from view.

However, the farther south I drove, the clearer the skies became. After cresting the Tiger Mountain summit, there it was in all its splendor.

What really caught my eye was the cloud to the northeast of Rainier. I first saw it driving through the small town of Black Diamond and was looking for a place to pull over and take pictures. After a couple of attempts, I finally found a spot just outside of Enumclaw.

Mt. Rainier

Around 1600 hrs, we left my sister's to go to do some shopping. The sun was setting and casting a lovely pink glow on Rainier. The cloud was still there and the angle of the sun was lighting up the one side of it. I was enthralled with the beauty of it all.

Evening at Rainier

Thanks to the Skywatch team of Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise & Sylvia who bring us this wonderful meme each week. Click on the Skywatch badge below to see more great skies from around the world.

Remember Whensday No. 15 - Suntop

This week for Remember Whensday, I am revisiting Suntop near Mt. Rainier. We camped at Ranger Creek with my mom and my sister, Karen and her SO, Jim in the summer of 2007.

We took a little road trip up to the top of Suntop which on a clear day puts you up close and personal with Mt. Rainier. While it wasn't the clearest of days, we still had a pretty good view of the mountain.

Sally & Karl @ Suntop

Mt. Rainier

You can drive up to Suntop on a dirt road with a lot of switchbacks. It can be quite scary looking out of the truck window down the steep side of the mountain without any guardrails along the roadside. At the top is a lookout which was manned when we were there. The elevation is 5,280 feet (1,609 m) at the lookout.

We had a good time that day and the entire weekend. I need to go back there camping with my family.

Thanks for sharing this trip down memory lane with me in the Remember Whensday meme. I host it each week and hope you'll share some of your favorite memories and photographs. Click on the badge below to come visit with us.

Skywatch #51 - Early Seattle Morning

Captured two Saturday mornings ago around 5:30 a.m.

Space Needle in Downtown Seattle

Mount Rainier
Peek-a-boo, I see you!

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Saturday Swimmers

In the middle of my Saturday chores, I took a break and walked down to the lake with the dogs. There was a pair of Canada Geese leisurely swimming near the dock. I am surprised the dogs didn't bother them and the geese were not upset by them either. I keep looking for goslings but I guess not yet.

Canada Geese Pair

I also had to make an impromptu trip to Enumclaw in the afternoon. Rainier had a cloud cap on it.

Mount Rainier

Sorry for the poor picture quality. I only had the little Canon with me today.