Mount Rainier

May 29, 1982

At 14,411 feet (~4,392 m), Mount Rainier (or Mount Tahoma, as the mountain is traditionally known), is the highest mountain in not only Washington, but in the Cascade Range as well.  An active volcano, Rainier’s last recorded eruption was between 1820 and 1854.

Often blanketed with 25 feet (~7.5 m) of snow in the winter, the sub-Alpine meadows are supposed to be aglow with wildflowers in spring and summer.  Perhaps that’s true, but on this end-of-May day trip, we found snow instead of flowers.

Mt Rainier makes a majestic backdrop.

Along the Kautz River.

Mt Rainier National Park Longmire Visitor Center
The photo on the right shows a tree ring from a 670-year old (1293-1963)
Douglas fir that grew in Snoqualmie national forest.

Longmire Springs

The spring water has a metallic taste … or so they say.

Left: Christine Falls; Right: Narada Falls

No wildflowers for us; we get plenty of snow instead.

Nisqually River Valley
The gateway to the “Mountain that was god.”

Mt Rainier from Ricksecker Point.

The Henry M Jackson Visitor Center is in the popular Paradise area of the park.

Enjoying Paradise!

After we came down the mountain, we swung over to Elbe and took a ride on the Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad, the longest continuously operating steam train railroad in the Pacific Northwest.

Left: All Aboard!
Right: Do you have a request?

Should I sit inside or …

Left: Topside seating provides great viewing opportunities.
Right: At the turnaround point we get to stretch our legs.

It was a great day of exploration, with the mountain behaving itself and not blowing its top!

Point Defiance Park

May 22, 1982

Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park is one of the largest urban parks in the US.  On the grounds are a zoo and aquarium; several formal gardens, including a Japanese garden; beaches, trails, and a boardwalk; Fort Nisqually, a Hudson's Bay Company outpost built in 1833; and much, much more.

Back in the day, also on the grounds of Point Defiance Park was Never Never Land.  The theme park was home to storybook figures from Mother Goose to the Brothers Grimm.

So why would a couple of so-called adults check out a theme park designed for children?  To relive happy memories of the stories that were read to them when they were children of course.

(The attraction, which opened in 1964, closed in 1985.  Metro Parks Tacoma took over and tried to operate it for a while, but eventually all of the figures, except Humpty Dumpty was put in storage in 2001.  Humpty joined his friends in 2004.)

Baa Baa Black Sheep

The Three Bears

Great memories of a place that still is; great memories of a place that is no more.

Beer Anyone?

May 15, 1982

I wasn’t going to post these images, but they have some historical significance. It turns out that the Olympia Brewing Company, located in Tumwater, Washington, is no more. The company, which was founded in 1896 was closed down in 2003. That means that when we do finally go back to Washington to re-explore our old haunts, we won't be able to repeat this experience.

Maybe these photographs will make us rich and famous someday! (Don’t worry, we’re not holding our breath.)

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

May 10, 1982

After four months of looking for a job that would challenge him,  Mui had an idea.  Why not join the armed services?  “I’ve always wanted to serve in the Air Force,” he said to me as we sat on the postage-sized patio of our apartment.  He hadn’t had that opportunity in Turkey, where he’d done his 18-months of compulsory military service in the Turkish Army.  And so it was that Mui joined the US Air Force.

(Sorry about the blurry photo; it’s the only one we have from the swearing-in ceremony.)

The four-year enlistment paperwork was signed, but it would be another six months before he reported to basic training.  He put the time to good use.  He worked the odd job when the opportunity presented itself and took care of the household chores during the week so we could continue our weekend travels.

Rolling in Dough

May 1982

Wish we were … rolling in dough that is.

A more appropriate title for this one would be: “rolling out dough for mantı,” Turkish dumplings filled with minced meat.  The miniature dumplings are boiled, strained, topped with yogurt, drizzled with red pepper melted in butter, and garnished with mint and sumac.

Chef Mui in action!

This is what mantı is all about.
[from Wikipedia]

My contribution to dinner … setting the table and washing the dishes afterwards (no dishwasher, mind you).