A Grand Opening

Mount Rainier National Park, May 5, 2007

I could feel the anticipation from the crowd, the excitement of the park staff, the satisfaction from the mountain. May 5th started out a warm, brilliant day filled with hope and joy. As we drove to the Nisqually entrance of Mt Rainier National Park, Michael & I noted that the mountain must have known what was about to transpire - she was gleaming in the morning sun, happy to welcome visitors back onto her flanks.

Of course being Adventure Girl, I couldn't let this auspicious occasion pass without my presence. I had already missed one re-opening this spring - that of the Hoh River Road in the Olympic National Park just days before. This event had to be attended.

Now for those of you who haven't been paying attention, the Northwest was devastated by a series of winter storms this past November & December. For the past 6 months the Hoh River Rd and the entirety of Mt Rainier National Park have been closed due to the damage. Damage seems such a mild word for what took place. It was a complete reshaping of the landscape. In just a few days time river carved new paths wiping out roads, trails, bridges and campgrounds. Hardly a park or forest between northern Oregon and southern British Columbia remained unscathed. And there lies even more damage as the snow melts and reveals what has been hidden beneath for the past 6 months.

But today we were celebrating. Celebrating the hard work and efforts of park staff, government agencies, and the all powerful volunteer. We heard stories of the dedicated crews working 10-12 hour shifts for days on end; having to be shooed away by the superintendent on Easter Sunday. But they refused to give up - it was more important for them to give Washington's crown jewel back to her people.

I thank you all. But more work needs to be done, not only in Mt Rainier and Olympic but in all the forests of our beautiful Cascades and Olympics. Lets get together this summer and help rebuild a trail.