Mount Rainier

Over Labor Day weekend while my parents were here, we took a two-day trip to Mount Rainier National Park. We are blessed that we have such a gorgeous, awe-inspiring mountain just a couple hours away. The first day, we entered the southwest corner of the park and did a great little hike in the Paradise area of the park, right at the base of the mountain. The alpine wildflowers were still in bloom, and we got some great views of the mountain. (In the photo below, that is a glacier on the face of the mountain, covered with dirt during the summer months.)

My dad wanted to take a turn carrying Carlton in the backpack....I think they both enjoyed it.

And we even saw some wildlife - Carlton's first time seeing a deer up close.

Playing in his sleep tent that night in the lodge...
The second day, we explored the Sunrise area of the park, in the northeast corner, which is the highest elevation you can access by car. We took a hike that day that offered stunning views of the mountain up close. We had great weather, but you can tell from the photos it was a lot colder at that elevation. Carlton even experienced his first snow flurries! Super fun weekend. We sure hope Carlton enjoys being in nature as much as we do as he grows up :)