The best thing about last week’s trip to Mount Rainier was sharing it with Tyson and his family. As an avid environmentalist, I’m constantly amazed when people say we’re more concerned with trees and wildlife than we are people, and, as far as I am concerned, nothing could be further from the truth. Experiencing Nature is a vital part of what it has always meant to be “human.” The best times I’ve spent with my kids have been while hiking or backpacking.
Unfortunately, Tyson maintains a pretty hectic work schedule, and even though he was officially on vacation, he got a phone call when we were at Paradise, the only place you could actually get cellphone reception.

It almost seemed heretical to me to be talking business while on the mountaintop, but here I was taking photographs for my blog instead of focusing on the moment and interacting with those who were there.

Luckily, I was able to rationalize that I was taking photographs so that I and the others would remember this trip in the future.
I’m not sure that hiking is really Zoe’s favorite activity, but she’s actually a pretty good hiker, even if she’d prefer to listen to her iPod.

It wasn’t long, though, before she’d put away her headphones and was helping us take pictures of the Avalanche Lilies along the trail, pointing them out before we could reach them.
Logan, the oldest, was an even better hiker and spent most of the day in front with Jen, except when he waited for us to catch up with him.

I’m not too sure about Sydney, the baby, though. At this stage she wouldn’t even consider hiking without her iPod, and wanted to be carried much of the time.

Luckily she’s still young and hopefully before long she’ll be keeping up with her brother and sister. I’m pretty sure that her mother loves hiking or she wouldn’t have gone to all the effort it took to make this hike take place.

Personally, I don’t know of a better way to build family togetherness than to go camping and share the joy of a beautiful hike.
Love seeing the three generations together in the mountains! Good memories for all. Wonderful single portraits, double portraits and group portrait.
Tyson is wearing what looks like the same shirt you are wearing in your photo that was taken by Lael. At first I thought Tyson was you.
Jen bought both of us those shirts on sale at Eddie Bauer when I was there last year. We’re about the same height, but he’s in much better shape than I’ve been in for years.
Hi Loren. Paul over at Café Philos sent me an email a few weeks ago suggesting I stop by your blog as he thought I might like it. He was right. 🙂
It looks like a wonderful hike in such a beautiful place. I have to agree. Hiking is a great way to build family togetherness (even when some of the younger hikers aren’t too keen on the idea).
I added your site to my RSS feed right after that letter, Robin.
Paul was right, I did find much in common with your site. I probably don’t comment as much as I should, but I also don’t write here as often as I should, especially in summer when I spend the majority of my time outside.
Very odd seeing snow in mid Summer Loren. All the children look to be enjoying it though.
Mt. Rainier has snow all year long, but generally not nearly that low.