Backpacking the Northwest

Images courtesy of Google image search. Updates once the lottery has been drawn.  keeping my fingers crossed!!

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.* Mark your calendar for these fee-free days in 2011: January 15-17 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday weekend) April 16-24 (National Park Week) June 21 (First day of summer) September [...]

“An Old Chevy Truck Christmas” ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and out in the shed Sat my tired Old Chevy Truck, its battery dead. Its fenders were rusted, the floorpan had holes The seats and the carpets had been eaten by voles The tires had dry-rot, the gas tank was leaking A turn of the [...]

There are 20 questions. Average score is 12. This one will be difficult for the younger set. (DUDE!) Have fun, but no peeking! Good luck, youngsters. 1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways? A. Flintstones vitamins B. The Buttmaster C. Spaghetti D. Wonder Bread E. Orange Juice F. Milk G. Cod Liver Oil 2. Before [...]

Shipmates & Friends:.. Take a few moments today to remember those that gave their lives for us. Saturday, December 6 – Washington D.C. – U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt makes a final appeal to the Emperor of Japan for peace. There is no reply. Late this same day, the U.S. code-breaking service begins intercepting a 14-part [...]

2006 Flood Damage Video (link coming soon) JEFFREY P. MAYOR Last updated: December 6th, 2010 12:00 PM (PST) The greatest threat to the busiest road in Mount Rainier National Park is the mountain itself. Receding glaciers, loose rocks and boulders, glacial outbursts and debris flows could combine to cut off Nisqually-Paradise Road. Half the 1.2 [...]

If you have ever used an electric fence or know someone who has one you should read this. The language used is a bit salty, but ‘he tells it like it is’ without e have the standard 6 ft. fence in the backyard, and a few months ago, I heard about burglaries increasing dramatically in [...]

From the MOUNT RAINIER VOLUNTEERS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010 RIP Damian, 1993-2010 Allan and Damian, 2007 photo by John Chao It is with great sadness that we report the passing of one of our most faithful volunteers this afternoon. Many of you know Damian as the golden retriever service dog of volunteer Allan Dreyer. But [...]

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. 2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong. 3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger. 4. There is [...]

The Sunrise Road in the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park will open Friday at noon for the season, a week earlier than originally scheduled, Mount Rainier Superintendent Dave Uberuaga said today. Sunrise Lodge, Snack Bar and Gift Shop are scheduled to open July 2. The Sunrise Visitor Center will remain closed for the [...]