America's Best Idea

Mount Rainier National Park

My mom loves entering contests. It doesn't matter what the contest is; she's always excited to participate. In the summer of 2011, she won a trip for two on a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. We turned it into a family vacation and picked Alaska as our dream destination. It was our very first cruise, a floating hotel that promised the excitement of waking up in a new port every morning.

Our maritime journey was set to begin in Seattle, a city I was eager to explore. A few days before our departure, we ventured to The Emerald City. Our first stop was Pike Place Market, a bustling historic gem dating back to 1907, radiating the vibrancy of Seattle's artisanal and locally sourced delights. We couldn't help but be amused by the fish throwers and their slippery game of catch, not to mention the alluring fragrance of lavender that filled the air as you wandered around the market.

As we strolled through the lively streets, the temptation to visit the quirky Gum Wall was irresistible. This unique attraction, adorned with hundreds of thousands of chewed pieces, holds a well-earned place among the world's germiest wonders. And, of course, no visit to Seattle would be complete without a stop at Starbucks. Despite not being a coffee drinker, my curiosity led me to the birthplace of a global coffee empire – the original Starbucks, established in 1971. The air was rich with the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

Another notable stop on our Seattle tour was the iconic landmark, the Space Needle. From its 605-foot perch, we enjoyed dinner at the top, panoramic views, and watching seaplanes gracefully land in the glistening waters, with Mount Rainier providing a breathtaking backdrop. Despite the prevailing stereotype of Seattle's constant drizzle, our days had been blessed with brilliant sunshine and warmth.

A more solemn yet intriguing experience awaited us as my sister and I visited Kurt Cobain's former residence, immersing ourselves in the world of grunge music that defined our generation and what we grew up with. The house stirred poignant memories of his tragic end, as I recalled Kurt Loder's somber announcement on MTV in 1994. Right next to his home, Viretta Park, provided a place for fans to pay tribute, leaving written messages and Nirvana lyrics on the benches in memory of the late singer.

Our last stop, the day before our cruise, we decided to explore a bit further, so I rented a car for a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park. The drive from Seattle to Mount Rainier is a scenic journey that transitions from the city's urban surroundings to rural landscapes. As you gain elevation, dense forests with towering evergreen trees surround you. The anticipation builds as you approach the entrance to the park, where the grandeur of the mountain dominates the horizon. This drive is a visual transition from city to wilderness, setting the stage for the natural beauty of Mount Rainier.

This marked a significant milestone for me – park number 10, reaching the double digits in my quest to explore these wonders. Our drive took us to the Paradise visitor center, where I stood in awe of the towering glaciers. Mount Rainier, with its impressive height of 14,410 feet, reigns as the highest peak in the Cascade Range. It's a dormant volcano, and its glacier ice cover surpasses that of any other mountain in the contiguous United States. As I stepped out of the car, my phone rang, it was my husband Tim. The timing felt serendipitous, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from this majestic sight, especially considering the connection it held for my husband, who had stood on the summit. This made the moment even more special.

As we ventured along the Skyline Trail, we were blown away by the landscape. Walking up the stairs, we read an inscription quoting the famous naturalist John Muir: "the most luxuriant and the most extravagantly beautiful of all the alpine gardens I ever beheld in all my mountain-top wanderings." And I would have to agree with that quote. It means that this place is as beautiful as the loveliest mountain gardens he has seen during all his mountain adventures. Those fortunate enough to hike here when the wildflowers bloom will truly understand and appreciate his insightful words.