September 20, 2013

Dustin's family visits Seattle - Rainier visit pt 3

On our last day visiting the areas in and around Mt. Rainier National Park we drove up to Sunrise, which has some very cool historical buildings including a visitor center near the peak with beautiful views of Mt. Rainier. On the way up to the peak there are several interesting rock formations including andesite lava columns pictured below.

The day we went was very misty and cloudy however, so we didn't see much of mountain. Fog was pouring over the top of Sunrise and it was really beautiful to watch it tumble down the meadows, so we hiked further toward Sunrise's peak and watched the mist billowing up over the edge. It was surreal and gorgeous.

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

Sunrise - Mt. Rainier

September 15, 2013

Dustin's family visits Seattle - Rainier visit pt 2

After our gondola ride (featured in Rainier visit pt 1), we ended up on top of Crystal Mountain, with great views of Mt. Rainier and other peaks.

Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain

September 8, 2013

Franciscan Starburst - the most mid century of china?

Dustin's parents got us a wonderful china set by Franciscan China named the "Starburst," and it is amazing. It doesn't get more atomic than this.

Franciscan Atomic Starburst dish collection

Franciscan Atomic Starburst dish collection

Franciscan Atomic Starburst dish collection

Franciscan Atomic Starburst dish collection

Franciscan Atomic Starburst dish collection

Rowen

And some more Rowen for good measure.

September 4, 2013

Hello Rowen

Hello Rowen


A week and a half ago, we adopted a little female blue-point Siamese kitten. She was found as a stray, and showed up on Petfinder. We happened to be one of the first to write in about her. A few days later, we met her in her foster home and fell in love immediately. She is smart, talkative, and extremely affectionate. She already sleeps through the night and uses her scratching post instead of our couch. It is a lot of fun and very therapeutic to have a cat again after losing our wonderful Mizmo late last year.

Internet, meet Rowen.

September 3, 2013

Dustin's family visits Seattle - Rainier visit pt 1

Alta Crystal Resort - hiking

Alta Crystal Resort - hiking

Alta Crystal Resort - hiking

Alta Crystal Resort - hiking

Alta Crystal Resort - hiking

Alta Crystal Resort - hiking

Alta Crystal Resort - hiking

Crystal Mountain Gondola

Crystal Mountain Gondola

Crystal Mountain Gondola

For two nights during Dustin's family's visit, we stayed at the Alta Crystal Resort which is right near one of the entrances to Mt. Rainier National Park. There was some great hiking immediately around the resort - the pictures in this set show Goat Falls and the picturesque cabins along the creek near the resort. We were also only 10 minutes away from the gondola that takes you up Crystal Mountain for a great view of several other peaks, including of course Mt. Rainier.