Mt Rainier Sledding

Last Monday we decided to make the trip up to Mt. Rainier and to sledding.  I feel like we used to go to the mountain several times a year when I was a kid, but as an adult we have lived here over five years and have never gone.  I really wanted to go last year but the timing just didn't work out.  The Mountain has been getting so little snow this year that we barley got to go.  They usually open up in December but this year they just opened last weekend.  

We made a few mistakes on our trip and want to go again next year and do it right.  First thing, don't plan on buying chains the morning of.  We ended up going to three stores and spending $120 just to find ones that fit our tires (note to self I need to return those).   The second mistake was I google mapped it to the gate and didn't realize it is almost another hour drive to the sledding place after you go through the park gate.  The third mistake was we just left too late.  We got there just after lunch time and it was pretty packed.  We had to wait about 20 minutes in between each time we went down because of the crowd.  I heard there was no line before noon.  That might also have to do with going on opening weekend, and a free day.  And the last mistake was dressing too warm.  It was nice and sunny out and we were roasting.

Regardless of all that we had a good time.  My mom came and that helped a lot with taking care of the kids.  That way we could all go down the mountain with a child and Tucker had to go alone, which he was fine with.  It was especially scary going down with Leon because I didn't want him to get hurt.  Scarlett and I fell off about half the times we went down the big hill and I did not want to fall holding Leon.  Even though Leon didn't like sledding and Scarlett was done after a big fall no one got hurt.  And thats the important part.

Penelope was probably the most scared to go down.  But she was brave and did a good job.  Like Scarlett and I Tucker went down on a disc.  I think these were more scary because you always end up going backward half the time.  He was unfazed, even when he fell off.

There was plenty of snow to play in before we made it to the sledding area.

 I had to check out the new visitors center and get a picture of the mountain.

Next I want to go snowshoeing up there.  I know they give tours and Bob is making his own snow shoes for scouts right now.  It is just a matter of finding time and a babysitter.  Any volunteers?

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