Hello, Spring! Mount Rainier is calling . . .

Yes, it is true. It's been a mild winter. And, spring means ~ wild flowers! From now until the first frost, there are meadows and meadows of wild flowers on Mount Rainier. Check out the Forest Service Wild Flower Report hotlink below to see what is blooming and plan your trip.

Copper Creek Inn is in the news!

Last week, I was having breakfast with a friend. Great pancakes and a really long line. As I walked up to put my name on the list, I saw the Seattle Times Sunday edition. The first page headlined, "Rainier Retreat ~ Rustic rentals offer respite on a mountain getaway." I grabbed the paper and started through the sections. The NW Traveler section headline "Get Cozy at Mount Rainier Cabins" jumped out at me. Holy cow! Copper Creek Inn was featured with other "rustic vacation rentals along the road to Paradise."

Take a tip from the author, Brian J. Cantwell ~ "Go soon and beat the summer crowds."

Great tip! What are you waiting for? Mount Rainier is a year 'round treasure. Hiking, biking, camping, snow shoeing, photography, picnicking. Heaven! And, the best part? You don't have to wait for the perfect time to visit the mountain. It's always perfect. It's just waiting for you.

Copper Creek Inn and its rustic cabins are the perfect way to end a day on the mountain. Yes, there are motels in larger neighboring cities, but where's the fun in that? Cookie cutter motel rooms with polyester bedspreads? Or, how about river rock fireplaces, personal hot tubs, thick, plush towels, down comforters, rocking chairs by the creek, starry nights? Cabins. Pine walls. Real log cabins. Built by hand and designed with an inspired touch. To quote the old song . . . go together like a horse and carriage.

One of my favourites is the Dream Weaver. I remember when it was being restored. And, look at it now! I love the approach. How cool is that handrail as it curves its way to the front porch!




 

If Dream Weaver is booked, don't worry! There are other wonderful cabins from which to choose:

Grateful every day to see the promise of spring realized. Enjoy!

Seattle Times ~ NW Traveler Mount Rainier cabins article

Reserve Now! Dream Weaver, click here.

Mount Rainier Wild Flower Report

King5 TV and Evening Magazine ~ Voted best cabins 2 years in a row!

Catharine Gallagher | Your Host ~ In Her Own Words

Catharine is an artist. Everything she touches has artistic flourishes. Some small. Some large. Some subtle. Some bold. Often whimsical; even surprising. Always beautiful. 

Several years ago, I stayed for the weekend in her art studio before it was a "cabin". The first morning, I woke to that lovely weekend feeling of "I have no place I have to be." "I have nothing I have to do." 

I lay there contemplating the room. An art studio is a highly personal space. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit one, I am reminded art is the mind made manifest. 

Catharine's "Art by the Yard" studio was no different. From my bed, snuggled in its pleasantly disarrayed down comforter, I began my visual exploration. Her easel stood near a window. A canvas work in process, interrupted. The palette on a nearby stool. The room flooded with morning light. Tubes of paint filling a box. Paint brushes upturned in a jar, drying. A handmade bowl filled with pebbles. The feather of a bird tucked in a book marking the end of a read. A high-tech embroidery machine with large spools of thread in many colours. A stack of hoodies ready to be embroidered for the gift shop. A completed one folded and tagged. Sketches of preliminary designs for note cards. Several works in progress; a creative mind at work.

There is finished art on the walls; handmade tile on the floor under the Franklin stove; a small kitchen with a jar of whole bean coffee. The room is interesting and filled with personal elements. Wonderful!

Now, you can stay in the Art Studio. It's still as beautiful and interesting as it was when it was a working studio. Catharine’s art is on the walls. Her easel is standing in the corner waiting for you. 

As Catharine says: This charming one room cedar cabin is still full of creative energy; a place of much joy and happiness. Try your hand at the easel. Or, for your own art-filled stay, bring a project of your own to work on. Take your sketchbook outside to sit by the creek. Write in your journal. Work on your needlecraft. Relax. Refresh. Breathe in the fresh mountain air. Listen to the sound of Copper Creek as it tumbles over the rocks on its way to the sea. I hope the spirit of this creative little cabin inspires you as it has inspired me!

Grateful every day to have creative, artful people in my life.

King 5 and Evening Magazine ~ Voted Best Cabins 2 Years in a Row!

Reserve Now! Art Studio cabin at Mount Rainier

More about Catharine and her art

Let's Talk Fresh Berry Pie

This morning, The Mountain was out! Lovely mist along the foothills and looking like a crisp cut-out against a clear blue Seattle morning sky.

Seeing the Mountain this morning reminded me of one of my favourite stops on the way to Mount Rainier. There is an amazing restaurant just before the Nisqually gate. Through Eatonville and just past Ashford, the Copper Creek Restaurant is a must stop-by if you are either going up to Paradise or coming home from a day hike. 

The Copper Creek Restaurant is noted for its freshly made black berry pies. Baked throughout the day, they are made from the original recipe made famous by Jennie Zuelich, the long-time cook/baker at Copper Creek. Fresh from the oven, flaky crust! Delish. Take an entire pie home, either freshly baked or unbaked and frozen. I've done all three: fresh pie at the restaurant, freshly baked pie to take on the road and unbaked and frozen for later in the month. Honestly, oh yum!


The restaurant's baked goods are divine. Fresh bread. Fresh cinnamon rolls. Fresh chocolate chip cookies. All the bakery items make their generously-sized breakfasts even more memorable.

Freshly prepared by real bakers and served to you by real people who take pride in their work. In the summer, some of your waitstaff will be working their way through college. Others are in the restaurant all year 'round.

The fare is classic American roadside cuisine with some added local specialties. I mean, really, where are you going to get fresh wild salmon in Kansas at the local diner? I’m sayin’ probably nowhere. 

The style of the restaurant remains faithful to the 1940’s original. Updated only to highlight the charming elements customers have come to love. Check out the original mural and the very coolest of cool retro chandeliers. 

It’s casual dining featuring delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. The couple at the next table enjoying the Salade Nicoise and a bottle of Washington red? Yes, they are still wearing their hiking boots and their backpacks are slung over their chairs. 

And, if you're staying at one of Copper Creek Inn's neighboring cabins, stop by for breakfast. The omelets are fluffy and toothsome. The coffee is especially roasted and, if none of that entices you ~ the cinnamon rolls alone are worth the trip. I'm just sayin' . . .

As you leave, spend some time in the darling gift shop. I personally own a pair of mismatched socks from the shop. I particularly love the catch phrase, “life's too short for matching socks.” 

The gift shop also features Catharine’s art on note cards, Copper Creek Inn hoodies as well as their special blend of coffee in one pound bags. And, did I mention Washington wines bottled just for them featuring Catharine’s unique labels? They are there, too.

So I guess the long and short of this is ~ 

if you’re going to Mount Rainier, 

take time to relax over dinner and pie at Copper Creek.

Grateful every day spent at Paradise on Mount Rainier

Copper Creek Restaurant
Soulmate Mismatched Socks