Many visitors head up to experience Mount Rainer for a short day visit and drive home later in the evening. Other visitors stay in the Paradise lodge located adjacent to the visitor center, or set up camp near the bottom of the mountain. However, this was not the case for Justin and I. The research housing, place for researchers to stay overnight, is located in Nisqually, which is about 45 minutes from Paradise. The commute was quite lengthy for a 7 am wake up call. I originally had planned on making the commute, until I learned that the research housing was full. I searched for campgrounds near the mountain and once again, full. The only option I had left was sleeping in the comfort of my car, my 2007 Chevy Cobalt. This was the only time I had wished I drove a more spacious car.
The backseat would be my bedroom for the next couple of days. Justin was used to the idea of sleeping in his car, but for me it was a struggle. Last night, my mind drifted between being awake, to asleep, to thinking I was asleep. I slept for a total of one hour. If you think waking up for class is hard, try waking up at 7am to hike a mountain with an hour of sleep. Despite, the horrible sleep I got, I was eager to learn more about Justin's study and enjoy my time in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
My body shook as I reached for the car door handle. Shivering all night and the sourness of my muscles made it difficult to pack my backpack. Although, this morning instead of seeing the mountain hidden by a thick, low fog, i could see green for miles and the bright mountain smiling. All of the struggles of sleeping quickly escaped and my body was warmed with the excitement to climb back up the mountain today.
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| View from overflow parking lot |
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