This last weekend we loaded up the ‘bru and headed east to spend a couple of days in the beautiful country that lies between Mount Rainier and Yakima. The purpose of the trip was to check out some conservation work my parents have been working on as well as the Mighty Tieton project.

Leaving Seattle at 5:15 had us entering Mount Rainier National Park on highway 410 when the sun was low in the western sky, giving the mountain a glorious glow and casting beautiful shadows. In this light the climb to Cayuse and then Chinook pass was gorgeous, some of the most beautiful country you can see from a car.

This spring is particularly welcome as it brings in the nice weather and also sees me back on my bike with a newly healed collarbone. One truly does not know how good life is until transportation, recreation and exercise are taken from them in one fell swoop.

Last weekend found me walking about on the washington coast with some good friends and great weather (good times and great oldies!). We wandered around Rialto Beach and camped two nights in the sand. I was expecting to be soaked the whole time, but in fact got a nice sunburn. After the previous weekend in Philadelphia it was an excellent reminder of how lucky we are to live on the best coast.

The most interesting thing that happens to me in spring is not my renewed interest in the bicycle, beer on the beach and messing about in boats. It is my renewed interest in the computer. What is it about long warm days that make me want to sit inside and poke away at some new computer project? Anyway, i’ve been messing about with Python. Surely nothing will come of it as we’re running at 110% down at the old bucket shop, but it’s good for the mind anyway.

One last bit: 14 carrot cafe on Eastlake. It totally sucks. More on that later perhaps.

Henry Rose Picture (playing around with the engines of search)

We didn’t get on a boat until the 6:20 to Bainbridge and as such didn’t make it out to the campground until almost 11:00, but an advanced party had gone out before us and had tents set up and fresh salsa chopped.

The place was fine, but a little muddy. The river is senic and the sound is unbeatable, but there was also the sound of locals prowling the campground in their lifted trucks, trying to find a party. The book had given the impression that we’d be very close to the beach, but we were unable to find access to the shore.

Amanda’s work schedule necessitated an early departure on Sunday, which was fine as rain was imminent.

In the end it was a great way to get some fresh air and drink some beer around a campfire.

I’d give it a B for scenery, a C for accessibility.
On saturday we drove west out to Pillar Point for a walk in the sand, which was most delightful. The sun was out and by the time we made it back to our campsite it was genuinely warm out. Sitting by the river enjoying the sunlight was definitely the high point of the trip.