We are in Seattle to make my second attempt of Mt. Rainier. We saw our goal from the sky as we flew in and then spent the rest of the day wandering around in the lowlands constantly looking over our shoulders at its beauty and power. 
We had fish and chips at a seaside shop called Spuds and then sat on Alki Beach to eat. Flawless weather and idyllic backdrop to a restful day waiting for the rest of the team to arrive and allowing Jim to host us on his home turf. Why did he ever move to Dallas? (I'm glad he did, but we have none of this to offer. 
A ride on the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry gave us a taste of the ocean and beauty of the landscape and cityscape. I love the international flavor of the population and the culottes that roam the streets like the breezes that come in off the seas. Your own ethnocentricity fades when walking among them. 
We made our final purchases at the REI Flagship store with its artificial waterfall but great gear and then headed out to meet the rest of the party, have dinner (salmon on a bed of pasta), hit the local Walmart for snacks, and go to the motel. 
The scene is set. Let the cameras begin to roll. Verse for the day:
| Philippians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, |
| 14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. |