Seattle was wonderful.
I mean, the city is okay, if you don't mind the "liquid sunshine." We were at a hotel on the Bellevue side, but did manage to tour Seattle, as well. Did some driving around the "lake", and were impressed with some of the homes and gardens in that area.
But, really - too many fitness clubs and organic food stores. It took me forever to find a place to buy junk food. In desperation, I stopped at a CVS for chips 'n' chocolate, then passed a 7-11 on my way back to the main road. DOH!
It was funny - I left Philadelphia on a cold, rainy day and landed in Seattle on a cold, rainy day. But Seattle was much greener than the Philly I left behind.
Now, understand that I grew up with the Pocono Mountains in my backyard. The highest point in Pennsylvania is less than 4,000 feet. I had flown over the Rockies once, on my way to Vancouver, but I'd never seen a mountain up close and personal. We took the drive up Mount Ranier.
The first stop (Longmire?) is somewhere around 4000 feet. Where the entrance to the park was a lush green with moss-covered trees, Longmire was the beginning of a crispness in the air. We pushed on uphill and soon crossed the snow line. By the time we hit the high point (Paradise), there was 10 feet of snow on both sides of the road and the mountains above were pure white.
Paradise is all of, what, 5,400 feet up? Just about a mile. And Mount Ranier goes up yet another 9,000 feet?!? Are you kidding me?
See, to me, this is "church". The incredible beauty of the lower forests, the humility inspired by impassable peaks, this is what moves me. And everywhere I turn is an excuse to take more pictures.
So now I've seen a mountain, up close and personal, if only from the driver's seat of a rented Pontiac G6. Damned impressive. And the Poconos will never look the same to me.
Now it's on to Phoenix, then Sedona, and then probably some great, big hole in the ground. The perfect contrast.
dwight