Packwood

Did you attempt to have a Labor Day weekend garage sale? Did anyone show up? If not, I think we have the answer. Every person searching for treasure in the form of someone elses junk was in Packwood this weekend(us included!). The main street through Packwood was lined for over a mile with tent, after tent, after tent, after tent, with people selling everything from Howard Johnson soap/shampoo (10 for $1) to a restored old fashioned 3-speed pedal bike ($100). We saw knives, guns, rocks, buttons, keychains, used toys, new (old) toys, baby dogs, baby cats, hood ornaments and yard ornaments. If you could dream it, they were selling it. Along with junk vendors came food as well. Ears of corn, steak sandwiches, elephant ears, kettle corn, cotton candy, shaved ice and ice cream. It was like we were at the a fair minus the rides and animals(Oh wait, there were pony rides). I guess that's rides and animals.

Speaking of animals, before arriving in Fred Sanford's dream world, we made a quick stop at Northwest Trek. We saw bears, coyotes, eagles, mountain goats, owls, skunks, wolves, snakes, bison, deer, elk, a lynx, a cougar, a bobcat, a beehive and a park favorite the chipmunks. Avery loves the tram ride and we took several photos along the way.

Our accommodations were a huge step up from the tents and trailers that lined swap meet row. We spent a wonderful weekend with Shelly's parents at our friends (Amy and Kurt) cabin.


On Sunday we made the drive to Mt. Rainier. The temperature went from 54 degrees in Packwood to a misty 36 degrees at Paradise.(Yes, it was Aug 31). The drive was beautiful but the mountain was hidden behind the clouds. Hikers reported seeing a black bear in one of the many meadows while we felt lucky just to have a close interaction with a momma deer and her two little ones.

Summer is officially over!