I can't see the photos, presumably because I am not a member of shutterfly.

just click view the photos

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0IatW7FqybsWeV

Here is a link to just the photos-not the book. Pictures might be a bit better here.

Photo book is great. Must one be a member of Shutterfly to view it?

It works now.

Well, I think you've picked our next western trip for us. WA was one of three possibilities and now I think we should do that next summer and put Big Bend and NM on hold. Were both trips in July? Great wildflowers so would like to visit then. We usually prefer shoulder seasons because of cooler weather, which wouldn't be a problem in WA. But we also like to be Far From the Madding Crowds. Aside from Sat. at Pike Market, how was it crowd-wise? Apart from wildflowers, I'd like to spend a little time on the coast and nearly froze several years ago in OR in mid-May.

Glad you saw the whales.

Polly,
Having been to Big Bend and NM, it would be hard to compare the two areas. I don't see myself going back to BB, I have been to NM/Carlsbad area several times and going there again in Nov. I would go again to Rainier, Olympic, Seattle and we really loved Oregon a couple of years ago.
We were rushing things a bit to do San Juans as a day trip. It would be better experienced as a night or two trip.
If I did North Cascades again, I would probably check out Lake Chelan/Stehekin area. Perhaps the other lake there(can't think of the name right now). I wouldn't do Cascade Pass trail again.

Rainier was crowded, but we were there on a nice weekend. So, time it and Pike Market for mid-week too. Olympics weren't that crowded at all(there on a weekend too). Sol Duc and Hurricane Ridge were just moderate crowds. Quinault, Hoh, and Lake Crescent crowds were light.

I like cooler weather too, but I still think August is the time to go. Might be a bit risky some years to go in July if it was a heavy snow year, some trails or roads might not be open. To me, Rainier is as much or more about the wildflowers than the Mountain itself. While the Mountain is extremely impressive, the wildflowers were truly out of this world amazing. And I'm not one to really even care that much about flowers. Last year(2011) was weird(according to ranger talk) because the flowers didn't bloom until Sept. due to the super large snowpack/melt.

Olympic trip was last week of July and the rest was 2nd week of August.

Went to Carlsbad (45 years ago) and Santa Fe area twice for a few days in the mid-90s but we would enjoy doing both again now that we can take more time. Big Bend can wait. I want to see the flowers! I'm not a major big fan of wildflowers myself but obviously it's because I've never see the right ones - and in such quantity. Your meadow photos were stunning.

We've been to Seattle 3 times and spent a few days in BC, San Juan Is., Vancouver Is. (Pacific Rim NP and a short stop in Victoria) on the Seattle trips. Also have driven around in the woods/hinterlands relatively near Rainier for a few days but didn't get to the park. So we can concentrate on Rainier, Olympic, and Cascades.

I saw Hoh in July '99 on a drive-by with an Aussie friend and I really wanted to go back so DH could see it too, but our next trip was for four days before a conference in Feb. and the rainforest wasn't the same that time of year. (I guess if you saw some trolls, you'd have mentioned it. But I know they're in there, all camouflaged fuzzy and green.)

Thanks for posting the report and the book link.

Spiro, How much hiking did you do in Rainier? Were there any "easy" trails, for old foggies like us? This area is on my bucket list.

Thanks for the report.

There are a ton of interconnecting trails right at Paradise(by the visitor ctr and Paradise Inn). You could go on short/easy or longer hikes. Narada Falls is right by the road, so for sure see it. My parents are old foggies and are going to be there tomorrow actually. Myrtle Falls would be a nice easy hike at the Paradise area. We actually did the hard one, Skyline Loop/Panorama Point. But, you could do many different combinations in the area.

Then another popular area is Sunrise area. Many varying trails there.

A decent easy trail is Grove of Patriarchs (large trees). They don't compare to the Sequoia or Redwoods National Parks, but there were nice. This trail is about halfway between Paradise and Sunrise and is a good place to stretch your legs for 45-60 minute easy hike/walk. Sunrise has a daylodge that has food and gift shop.

I wouldn't think you would have a problem finding enough to do for a couple of days. Many other good looking hikes in the park as well.

Your pictures are gorgeous! It looks like both trips were wonderful.

We are planning to go to Oregon next summer (we might do the Cascade Canyoning you've recommended before), and the next summer we are planning on Seattle, San Juan Islands and Olympic Peninsula. Your pictures make it hard to wait so long to see Washington!

the Cascade Canyoning is easily the best thing I have ever done. I think I liked Oregon Slightly better. I did like the Olympic beaches, but the entire Oregon coast is much more than the Washington coast, IMOP. Mount Rainier was really nice though. Get your reservations as far in advance as possible at places like Mt. Hood, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, Olympic

That's good to know, thanks spirobulldog!

Very nice photos! We returned from Vancouver, Olympic N.P. & Seattle almost two weeks ago. Hurricane Ridge took my breath away. I've never seen so many wildflowers before. We ran out of time so didn't get to Sol Duc.

Loved the bite size coconut cream pies at Dahlia Bakery.

I need to plan a return trip as I want to go to Mt. Rainier, Victoria and the San Juan Islands.

Thanks for sharing!

We had the bite size coconut pie, bite size flourless coconut cake and the caramel apple brioche--all very tasty. It would be my very first stop if I get a chance to go again sometime.

Couldn't view your photo book before as my internet had the hiccups -- just looked at them and they are great. I live near Olympic NP and enjoyed your pictures of the various falls. And such great weather for Mt. Rainier!!!

Nice photos! Love your mountaingoat hiking companion. Did he charge by the hour or was that a set tour??

Wondering if you stayed in all of the lodges you show in the rainforest area--Quinalt, Crescent and Sol Duc and if so, which parts of the lodges and what you liked/disliked about them? We have talked about camping this area but if we go with my parents we'll need to get lodgings. The Quinalt Lodge looks like the kind of summer lodge I imagine the upper New England States as having, but the Internet can be kind of misleading at times.

Curious about the Shutterfly experience. Did you scan or download a lot of those icons (the ferry, the whales' tales, etc)? And how hard was it to import those? I also have to compliment you on not "over-doing it" with too many photos on a page, giving them room to breathe.