The United States has some of the most beautiful wilderness in the world. In the midst of madness lose yourself for a few minutes in the peace and serenity of the mountains and woods that surround us. Breathe in some of Marilynn’s photos. Welcome to Mt. Rainier National Park, where morning sun glows on the highest mountain in the state of Washington.
After ten days of camping and hiking without cell or internet the reality that we did not miss anything greets us. We emerge from the mountain woods to a west coast on fire. The pandemic still rages and politics remain divided as ever. We sense that our camping days are over due to the fires. We are not quite ready to leave the woods. Instead we find our way to free dispersed camping in a remote area of the Quinault Rain Forest on the Olympic Penninsula.
In the middle of the second night, where it is so dark that you cannot see your hand in front of your face, Marilynn smells smoke. A flashlight shows thick smoke and fog surrounding us.
Nobody knows that we are out here. If a fire would blaze overtop the mountain, we have many miles on a rough road before finding the pavement of Route 101. So what do we do? We fall back asleep. Either there is something wrong with us, perhaps Covid brain damage of some sort, or the beauty of nature lulls us back into her arms like a loving mother. Okay, we will go with the corny mother thing. But we did get the heck out of there come morning. At this point, we can pull up camp within five minutes, like Mongolian nomads.
I write this from a motel room in Astoria, Oregon, one of the coastal cities not ablaze. Where we will go next is a bit of a puzzle, as many routes are closed due to the fluid circumstances of smoke and fire. One thing for sure – we will continue to navigate life’s delights and breathe in the beauty as long a we are able.
Thank you, Abundant Universe.
STAY SAFE… I love to read your adventure and see the photos.
You stay safe too, my friend.
So glad you got to enjoy some of the Pacific Northwest beauty before smoke engulfed the region (or most of your time here). Lots of shots of some of my favorite Rainier hikes. Lovely to see Marilynn, and until we meet again, safe travels! Good luck getting home.
No way, not going home. We nomads.
Wow, stunning photos! Ranier, the trails and the wildflowers are spectacular. Thanks for this escape. Looking forward to your next nomad update.
My pleasure! She has so many great photos that it was difficult to choose.
These photos are killing me! Absolutely gorgeous.
Amazing place that just jumps out at you.
Bro, you visited some isolated areas.
Go to the head with a shovel, bro.
You two are amazing!!
Mother Earth steals the show for sure!
My son just got back to his home after camping on the Olympic Peninsula but he had to negotiate roads avoiding fires to get back to Nevada City area where he lives. He said Olympic Peninsula was fine and fire free- did you get there?
Yes, we camped there, dispersed which means in the boonies with no services or neighbors, and even enjoyed a camp fire as there was no fire ban. Later, they put in a fire ban because of poor air quality, not because of high fire danger. Probably the only place like that in the State of Washington!
Keep it up! Love you Dawn!
We love you too!