A Waffle-on-a-Stick sounds like a lot of fun, until you feel yourself becoming one, baking in a sun-filled car. Not even a yummy one. One that’s melting into its pre-waffle state, the stick sliding down the seat and disappearing into wherever coins and parking stickers go.
The long line of cars ahead hadn’t moved for at least ten-twenty minutes. Nate, Alex, and I knew that somewhere between the Waffle-on-a-Stick place and the rows of trees and cars ahead, there was an entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park, but we’d be stuck between a Waffle-on-a-Stick and a hard place for at least thirty minutes longer.
But we DID print out our park pass the night before, which shaved off about six seconds when we finally made it.
Despite a two-hour trip (one way) becoming a four-hour trip (one way), Mount Rainier National Park was just breathtakingly, impossibly beautiful. I thought I had stumbled upon a Smurf village, for real. La-la-la-la-la-la—and so on. The feature image for this blog post does not do the park justice. The air was so clear that the skies were the bluest blue I’d ever seen. The trees were the greenest green I’d ever seen—and I didn’t care that there was snow sticking up at the top because, from where I was standing, it was sunny and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Oh, and the paths we took were paved—and there were plenty of them—and they weren’t scary at all. I wasn’t clinging to the side, looking down the jagged edge of a cliff, and imagining myself crumpled, at the bottom of a Smurf pit.
So, the climb up the paths was fun, and the steepness didn’t bother me at all—until we went back down—and I discovered my knees just aren’t what they used to be. It’s hard to describe, but it felt like my kneecaps would just roll to the side and fall off. I know, I know. “Do squats,” they say. And I do. “Walk down the stairs with weights,” they say. And I do. But there I was—kind of panicking on a beautiful, clear day.
Nate and Alex offered to hold onto me as I descended, but that wouldn’t solve the problem of my kneecaps sliding off my legs and down the path of a U.S. National Park. At least someone should have their hands free to catch them, I figured. Maybe Handy Smurf at the ranger station could put them back on.
In any case, I made it down, and the thing that kept me going was the voice of a small child. He was just down the path, with his parents, and he was so inspiring. He was saying, “Mom, Dad, I’m going to throw up!” And that’s when I realized: at least I’m not nauseous.
I could truly savor those shrimp tacos at the restaurant when we finally made it back to town after a long, but super Smurfy day.
Your Turn: What’s your favorite day trip where you live?
Fixin' Leaks and Leeks 
Hello there. Being in the truly great outdoors is something that many of us don’t experience all that often. I’m glad you enjoyed your time there, despite your balky knees.
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It felt so refreshing to be there–even though it was quite hot outside. I’m glad we did it. 🙂
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I don’t know why anyone would want to put a waffle on a stick, but okay. A day trip we always enjoy is going to Plymouth, Vermont, home of Calvin Coolidge. His Summer Whitehouse was on the second floor of the town’s general store. None of this Key West foolishness for our Cal!!
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That sounds like a terrific day trip!
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It is! One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is that the tiny village is nestled in a valley with the Green Mountains all around. It’s a beautiful spot.
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My knees are certainly not what they used to be. Handrails have become my friend.
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No handrails on the trail, but I did see people with walking poles. I wonder if they help with descents. If so, I’m in!
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Ha. Your posts are always the perfect mix of funny and “oof, that’s so relatable”. My knees have pretty much been obliterated by this point in my life. I’m 40 going on 80 in the knee department. As for my favorite day trip… good question, honestly. I’m always happy to just get out of the house, and as long as it involves food, I’m in! I’m a girl of simple tastes. 😉
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Yes–just getting out of the house is fun. Yesterday, Nate and I went to the wine store, and though it wasn’t Mount Rainier–it was a lot of fun!
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I’d say it’s all about the company! With the right squad, even a trip to the store can be filled with fun moments! 😉
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I’m happy to walk in any kind of park, especially if there’s some type of water feature.
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Oh, I forgot to mention the waterfalls! They were lovely at the park, too–we saw just small ones, but they were pretty.
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Looks and sounds like a beautiful area!
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That picture is so beautiful I can’t believe the reality is even better! Sorry about your kneecaps but like you said, at least there was no vomiting!
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Thanks! And yes, small mercies. Thank goodness for small mercies. LOL.
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Dear Waffle – – Wow, traffic, knee pains and a Smurf pit with a nauseated kid. But obviously worth it all to see such a spectacular place. My favorite day trip here is to the lake to see the ships going by, freighters, cruiseliners, sailing boats.
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Certainly something to write home/the waffles about! That sounds like a lovely day trip. It is fun to see the ships go by. Cheers!
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I live on the coast and my favorite day trip is to the beach. Asbury Park.
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Beach trips are so fun!
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I like when we go apple picking in Warwick ny
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That sounds lovely!
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That looks so beautiful. And I know what you mean by the photo not doing it justice. Happens to me all the time “But, but, it really was far more amazing…”
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Thanks! It was absolutely beautiful!
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