At age 19, freshmen in college, my twin and I had few extra dollars to spare on our thirst for travel and nature. That’s how we ended up at Mount Rainier working at Paradise Inn for the summer of 2010. We blindly accepted a job that seemed too perfect, and that summer turned out to be a cornerstone of our young adulthood, life philosophy, and relationship. Through our adventures in this pristine wonderland, we reconnected to our selves, each other, and clarified our meaning of life. I cannot even explain the sense of renewal 3 months of paradise can do! That same sense of self awareness, togetherness, and renewal occurred this past May when we hiked the Grand Canyon’s Hermit Trial. Now 25, engaged, and with full time careers, we subconsciously felt the need to do something way out of routine for our last time being know as just “the twins.” The rugged beauty of that place! Every turn there was a different aspect of nature to marvel at. Where as Rainier allowed us to see our path through college, the Grand Canyon helped us see our path for our upcoming new futures and realize that there will always be a little of our 19, naive, adventurous selves within us. Its really in the wilderness that one can find their true being and meaning in life.
Sincerely,
Mount Rainier National Park
Majestic Mount Rainier is the highest peak in the Cascade Range and an active volcano with more glaciers than any other mountain in the United States. Just an hour's drive from Seattle, the park's wild landscape feels much further from civilization. The forests, parkland, wetlands, lakes and rivers offer 260 miles of trails and varied habitat to dozens of plant and animal species.
State(s): Washington
Established: 1899
“The best memories I have are in the parks I visited. I would not be the person I am today without them. ”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Mount Rainier National Park
Every national park I've visited holds a special place in my heart. We make it a point to explore at least one new national park each year, and when we're lucky, we get to visit even more. Mount Rainier, however, stands out as the park where I had my first…
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now