[andysandmikesmom]

Will you be going to McChord Air Force Base?

There is so much to do and see...of course a trip up to Mt. Rainier, is in order...go up to the Paradise Visitor Center, for just lovely views of the mountain, and visit the Jackson Visitor center, for exhibits and movies and the tourist trap...if you have time, try to go up the Sunrise Visitor Center, which is quite a drive from Paradise, but well worth the long drive...that drive from Paradise to Sunrise, is only open during the summer months...all other times of the year, the road is blocked by snow, and they dont bother to plow it, and the snow melts, usually not until end of June...up at Sunrise, there is also a small visitor center and of course the obligatory tourist trap...the drive from Paradise to Sunrise is beautiful, and you will go through forest, and view mountain lakes, and there is a stop along the way, where if its a clear day, one can also see Mt Adams, which is almost as tall as Mt. Rainier...

On the way to Paradise Visitor Center from the Nisqually entrance, there are two magnificent waterfalls...one if not marked with a sign, but where you see people stopped there it will be...also there is Narada Falls, which is marked, and involves walk down to Falls...also at Longmire stop there is a small museum, and a walk through the woods, where one can see the remains the of the old health spa that was once there...

Then if you get up to Seattle, be sure to go to Pike Place Market, to see the delicacies of the ocean, great fruits and veggies, all sorts of vendors and shops, and great, great foods you can snack on while shopping..

Go down into the Wharf for unique shops, and great seafood, and then of course, ride the Ferryboats...

One can also go to the Space Needle, and the Seattle Center house, for foods, and tourist shopping...

If you are at McChord Air Force Base, be sure to visit the military museum, nearby, at Ft. Lewis...

There is Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, and the zoo up in Seattle...

I am sure that your brother will be able to add to this...but what I have included here, will surely take up a lot of your time...

My choice?...well, I love all I have talked about, but I must say, my favorite is going up to Mt. Rainier...we were just up there for Mothers Day, on a sunny warm day, the road lined with 20ft high snowpiles, the mountains covered with snow, the wildlife out, and the whole scene just breathtaking...

Please enjoy it while you are out here, it is a beautiful state, and one to be really enjoyed...

[glock rocks]

There is Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma

i played catch the pebble with a beluga whale for a whole afternoon at Point Defiance Zoo!

...and the Government Locks in Seattle are a wonderful place to watch the fish ladders and drawbridge.

i rowed a kayak to Vashon Island from Shorewood Drive while i was there. whew. wonderful memories.
i would give you my truck for a basket of Ivar's deep fried salmon sticks right now.

[McLynnan]

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me such good information and I am printing it out. Yes, I will be at McChord. They have already recommended Rainier and Pike Place Market and suggested I do some reading about other things I'd like to see. The ferries are on my "must do" list. We once lived in Wyoming for a short time and I loved the mountains, so am looking forward to that sort of scenery again. The Washington mountains look much more lush than the Wyoming Rockies. I'm excited that I'll have a break from the Texas heat in August (like hell on earth). I've heard nothing but raves about the natural beauty in Washington, and can't wait. Again, thank you for sharing your insider knowledge!

[lodwick]

Great report - are you a travel agent, or Chamber of Commerce type person?

You're whetting my appetite to get NW very soon. Thanks for the information, very much!