National Park Service Week Starts Saturday, April 18 ~ Come Down for The Weekend!

John Muir-Library of Congress

Next week marks the 177th anniversary of the birth of John Muir, the famed naturalist and preservationist who is often referred to as the father of the national parks. If that name sounds familiar it's because he is also the founder of the Sierra Club. He climbed Mount Rainier in 1888 and was instrumental in the creation of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899. An ardent conservationist and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness, he famously walked a 1000 miles with no particular route in mind except to take the "wildest, leafiest, and least trodden way I could find." 

Maybe the Department of the Interior had John Muir in mind with its announcement of National Park Week. The weeklong celebration starts Saturday, April 18th.

Thanks to Nick Visser of the Huffington Post:

Now that spring has officially sprung, it's high time to go on an adventure. 

The Department of the Interior's rapidly growing Instagram account has been featuring stellar shots of sunrises and sunsets that showcase America's natural beauty. The National Park Service, a division of the DOI, oversees more than 400 sites and the DOI manages 500 million acres of public lands. 

The National Park Service is celebrating National Park Week starting Saturday, April 18.

All national parks ~ including heavyweights like Yosemite, Glacier, Acadia (and my personal favourite, our own Mount Rainier)~ are waiving entrance fees for the weekend to encourage everyone to get out there and find their park. 

FREE! has a real nice ring to it.

But, wait! You're going to need a place to stay!

I recommend the Muir Cabin at Mount Rainier. This cabin is an homage to John Muir and is reminiscent of the quiet, privacy, and serenity of the forest preserved in Muir Woods. To quote the National Park Service website: "When John Muir learned that William and Elizabeth Kent were naming a redwood forest near San Francisco in his honor, he declared, 'This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world.' " 

This Muir Cabin is located in a setting so lush and verdant you feel like you are in the national park; a tree-lovers paradise!


Muir Cabin is the most secluded of all the cabins at Copper Creek. With over 750 feet of waterfront along Copper Creek, you can wander and relax in comfort and total privacy. 

There are no other buildings in sight; no road sounds, just the hypnotic sounds of the waters of Copper Creek.



After a walk around the acreage, enjoy the hot tub. Sit on the deck, put your feet up, and relax. End the evening with a shower for two. Snuggle under comforters filled with down. Rejuvenate!

In the morning, enjoy freshly made, freshly ground coffee ~ a Copper Creek Inn Special Blend. Enjoy!

So, come to Mount Rainier this weekend. And, if the "wildest, leafiest, least trodden way" appeals to you, you will find it during your stay at Muir Cabin. 

Reserve now!

Grateful every day for people working to protect the wild for generations to come!

Reserve Now! Muir Cabin at Mount Rainier

King 5 and Evening Magazine Best Cabins Two Years in a Row!

Mount Rainier National Park Website

Department of the Interior Instagram Account

Huffington Post ~ Nick Visser article with images

National Park Service

Catharine Gallagher's portrait of John Muir

See more of Catharine Gallagher's Studio and Artwork

Spring has Sprung! Heading to Stevens Pass ~ Summer is on the Way

OK, OK, it's true. We live in paradise!

And, this morning? Another gorgeous, gorgeous day. If you just can't think of what to do next weekend, bring your bike or your hiking boots and head to Stevens Pass via the Skagit Tulip Festival. Nothing says, "Hello, Spring! Summer is just around the corner" like fields and fields of tulips in a riot of colour. And, this year is no exception. The tulips are doing their very best in the competition between the clear blue sky and the snow-capped peaks in every direction. My goddaughter sent me these images.

I love the tulip festival. Nothing says winter is over with more enthusiasm. It gives us a glimpse of the promise of summer when May, June, July, and August hold out their generous, welcoming arms, and say, "Let's go!"

This weekend, it was Stevens Pass and the utterly darling A-frame chalet with the completely perfect name ~ A River Runs Through It!

This is one of the most secluded cabins at Stevens Pass. And, yes! A river does run through it!

I love this little cabin! It's just the perfect size for one or two couples. I love it as a single, too. When I want to get away and completely relax, write in my journal, walk in the forest, and soak in a hot tub under a sky flung with stars, this is the place! It really is perfect in any season.

This weekend, I drove to Leavenworth for its Taste Leavenworth ~ a "culinary crawl" through town. Oh, yes! A Foodie Heaven! The Spring Sensation festival lasts all month. Enjoy wine tastings, artisan brews, cooking classes, and Leavenworth's salute to organic pears, a regional treasure! Orchards around Leavenworth are some of the largest producers of this sublime fruit in the entire country. Who knew?

Back to my cabin with a bag full of deliciousness! Gourmet treats, a nice crisp white wine for dinner, and flaky pastries for breakfast in the morning.

The day ends with a soak in the hot tub. Up to my neck in warm, bubbling water. Stars above. Index Creek below tumbling on rocks to the sea. Off to bed under down comforters. Soothing! Ah, rest!

In the morning, the sounds of the forest come to life. Birds, Index Creek. The wind through the trees. This calls for freshly ground coffee sipped on the back deck along with my pastries from Leavenworth. Oh, yum!

Hiking. Biking. Whitewater rafting. Rock climbing. Skiing. Fishing. Sledding. Snowshoeing. Photography. Perfect year 'round.

And, as if all those outdoor activities were not enough, Catharine has filled the cabin with many delightful, artful details. Check out the bronze door pulls! Oh, yes! And, look at the amazing bronze pedestal sink set into river rock. Imagine sitting in the sky bridge overlooking the forest. And, the floor! Sheesh, how does this girl do it? Amazing!

 

Every cabin is distinctive. Not a cookie cutter in sight. This cabin has many more artful surprises. I let you discover your favourite detail. And, when you go to the River Runs Through It at GreatGetaways.com, you will find lots of information to make your stay even more enjoyable. Weather, snow fall, recommended hikes, etc. I'm included a hot link to that page for your information.

I love this secluded retreat. I think you will as well.

Grateful every day for the promise of spring in this lovely corner of the world!

King 5 and Evening Magazine ~ Voted Best Cabins 2 years in a row!

Reserve Now! A River Runs Through It ~ Cabin at Stevens Pass

Explore the Area ~ trails, road conditions, weather, etc.

Thank you to my goddaughter, Linsi Ferguson for the Tulip Festival images.