I went home to Seattle for the holidays, and my sister, father, and I had a wonderful time tromping through the snow on Mt. Rainier. It was chilly, but not as cold as we expected. The weather was so clear, not a cloud in sight, the sun bathing the summit in light. It was a great day for pictures– my favorite! Then on the drive home, fog moved into the valley, making for a very scenic drive.

As lovely as it was to be home, though, it was a little concerning for the future. While the snow was piled several feet high at Paradise (the highest point you can drive to on Mt. Rainier), the snow pack on the summit was much less than it really ought to be, so we worry a drought will plague the region this upcoming summer. Even though the glaciers are thinner than I’d like, I really can’t complain about the mountain’s beauty. Seeing Rainier in any condition makes me feel at home, and I really enjoyed spending time tromping around in the snow, taking pictures, and spending time with my family. It’s been a good vacation.