Day 2

Good Morning


We sleep in a little, waking around 8:00 a.m.—which feels indulgent without being reckless. Downstairs, we head to the hotel breakfast area with one goal in mind: waffles.


We wait patiently for the waffle maker until it becomes clear that one woman is preparing multiple waffles for each child in what can only be described as her clan. Our hunger eventually overpowers our optimism, and we retreat to English muffins instead. Jeremy pairs his with hard-boiled eggs, sausage, and coffee. I have sausage and water, because balance is a journey.


After breakfast, we return to our room to shower and get ready for the day. Our first stop is Shell, in hopes of finding batteries for my film camera. They do not have them. What they do have is an aggressively sweet cappuccino, which I purchase and do not finish. Jeremy gets a Java Monster and a massive silver Monster, because he has chosen chaos and caffeine.

Two people sitting in the front seats of a car during a daytime drive.

Road Trip


We hit the highway with Mount Rainier National Park as our destination. The fog is thick—thick enough to inspire a little worry that we won’t see much once we arrive. Still, we drive on.


We pass through Puyallup, a town name that provides a generous amount of giggling, and eventually stop at Target. Success at last: batteries for my camera and a hooded sweatshirt for Jeremiah. Spirits restored.


Back on the road, the drive turns quietly breathtaking. Trees line the highway like they’ve been arranged on purpose. Small towns appear and disappear. A large lake tempts us to stop, but we press on, saving our awe for the mountain.

Eerie black and white landscape of tree stumps in a foggy lake with a distant treeline.
Foggy forest road lined with colorful fall trees and yellow center line.
Steel bridge structure disappearing into thick fog on a rural highway.

Mount Rainier National Park


To read about our time in Mount Rainier National Park, please click the link below.

Elbe, Washington


After exiting the park, we retrace our route back whence we came and stop in the town of Elbe. We had noticed train cars on our way in and decide they deserve a closer look.


Dinner is at the Mount Rainier Railroad Dining Company. Jeremy orders a Monte Cristo. I have fish and chips. The fries are homemade, the food is genuinely excellent, and my chocolate shake is nothing short of divine. We also order a pound of clams as an appetizer—which feels ambitious, but correct. Jeremy drinks a blackberry lemonade and concludes that blackberries are clearly very popular around here.


After eating, we wander outside to photograph the train cars and an old steamer engine. I have Jeremy take a picture of me in front of a red caboose, because I am the caboose of my family and this fact must be documented.

Illuminated welcome sign with string lights at entrance of outdoor venue.
Long restaurant building with parked cars and holiday lights in evening light.
Red vintage caboose decorated with string lights at twilight.
Fresh oysters on the half shell served in a glass dish with garnish.
Interior view of a restaurant dining room with wooden chairs and burgundy decor.
Vintage red train car decorated with festive Christmas lights at dusk.
Someone at a restaurant table looking at their smartphone.
Illuminated Hobo's Inn sign outside at dusk.
Interior of train car restaurant with booths and tables arranged in long rows.
Restaurant dining scene with a large plate of french fries and sandwiches.
Casual dining scene with french fries and a mobile phone on the table.

Good Night


We return to the hotel, soak in the hot tub, swim a bit, and let the day settle into our bones. Before bed, Jeremy suggests one more adventure, so we go out for fro-yo.


Back in the room, we snuggle into bed. Jeremy drifts off to Will & Grace. I write this entry, close my eyes, and fall asleep—full, warm, and exactly where I’m supposed to be.