Mt Rainier- 150 miles and 10,000 ft of climbing

August 8th and 9th, 2008

So, is there a reason why the name is Rainier- as in "rainy-er"? Rainier than what- Seattle? Yes, it rains more on Mt Rainier. How could it be I am spooked by this looming mountain on sunny days, and when I go right to it, I cant even see it?

By the end of the week, I was fried and yet couldn't stop working. When you work from home, it is so easy to just keep working, and feel you have accomplished nothing. Just send one more email, send one more sample, look for this person,...it never ends. My wrists actually hurt from typing all week and so did my elbows. It was time to get away from the daily life and get some perspective.

Why is it I am always trying to find ways to clear my mind? It took me 80 miles of climbing to finally stop thinking about work. I parked the van in Enumclaw and rode in to the park, rolling hills, trees getting bigger...Then, I went dooowwwn, and then I entered the national monument and went uuuuppppp...It was one of those roads where you can see it zig zagging across the other side of the valley, cutting an impossible line way above the tree line. I needed another banana if I was going to do this.

Then, wouldn't you know it, it started raining! Should I put on my rain gear or not...? Then it started pouring, no more debating...I started shivering and my hands froze around the brakes, my feet were wet and numb and I was hating life. At least I had finally stopped thinking about work!



I got to the campsite and although the sign said "full," luckily people had cancelled, probably because of the weather. I got a nice little spot and cooked in the vestibule of my tent. I put on my dry clothes and hunkered down. It was a dark night- so dark I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face when inside the tent. There was no Alaska summer light and I couldnt find my flashlight.

The rain did stop and I continued the ride the next morning out of the park and on to the main roads back north up through Elbe, Eatonville, Kapowsin and Buckley. Hey- my van was still parked at Rite Aid! Cool! I drove home and got stuck in traffic and construction and road rage, again, back to reality...

Then, Talya saved me with a cool barbeque at Magnuson Park- wow! A beautiful sunny day on Lake Washington...I have to get a boat!