Leaving Lacey, we knew no more than we did before. At a gas station we asked two sheriff officers the direction to the mountain and they said "Just follow the big white thing!" As soon as Jules navigated the next curve, Rainier rose above us, a massive single peak puncturing the horizon. It felt like we were very close, but as we rode on it was apparent that we had been deceived!! Sightings of the mountain teased us periodically, but according to road postings, our progress was very slow.
We stopped for yet another tranquil lunch by a lake, then pushed onward. Finally, we passed through the gates of Rainier National Park and were on our way to meet the mountain, up close and personal. Hairpin turn after hairpin turn slowly guided the bike upwards. Each switchback changed the view and each time the vista included Rainier, the peak ate up more and more of the sky. And each time we leaned into a curve and the snow capped summit appeared, my breath caught in my throat. How majestic nature can be!
We reached the Paradise Loop (aptly named) and headed out, racing waterfalls down the hill. Just outside of the park we were met with No Vacancy signs everywhere. We stopped at the first vacancy we saw even though it looked like it might be abandoned! A woman appeared from behind the eight motel units and assured she was open for business! Our room was awesome and nobody else checked in all night so we owned the place! It came complete with a resident rabbit named Lefty and a nest of swallow hatchlings in the eaves. Had dinner among wildflowers and huge trees, followed by a piece of Wild Blackberry Pie, a specialty in these parts.
We went back to our room and watched the elk browse across the way, as the sun set behind the mountain. We had left Paradise in the Park, earlier when we came down the mountain, but this was our Paradise that we shared with each other and the animals around us.
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