The Sarvepalli family added another destination to our annual June travels in 2023—this time heading to the Seattle area to explore Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks while such pristine wilderness in the U.S. is still preserved. To make the most of these vast landscapes, we split our stay between two locations: Sequim, WA, for Olympic National Park, and Ashford, WA, just outside Mount Rainier National Park.
Our adventure began with a long flight, landing in Seattle two days before the Pride Parade on June 23. Even at 9:00 p.m., the city was buzzing – streets filled with bright colors, music, and the unmistakable aroma of coffee everywhere. Seattle felt alive, celebratory, and all ready for us.
“Come, Enter” – Olympic National Park
As we drove toward Sequim, even in the dark, the landscape felt iconic—vast and dramatic, evoking the spirit of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The phrase “ənáč ayə́k” (pronounced uh-nach eye-yek meaning “Come, Enter”) from the ancient Klallam tribal language came to mind, capturing the welcoming spirit of the American West. It reminded me that the American West is still big both geographically and culturally. After a long drive and a slightly confusing McDonald’s pickup, we arrived at our Airbnb in Sequim—tired, but content.
Trail, Ropes, and Rain in the forests
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Our first day’s adventures included a short hike to Marymere Falls (2 miles), followed by the strenuous Mount Storm King hike (4.2 miles). Parts of this trail required ropes and serious effort, but the reward was worth it.
From the top, Lake Crescent revealed its glacially carved, crystal-clear blue waters—stunning from every angle and even more so from above. Erica and Pori stayed back near the rope section due to the slippery trail but still enjoyed incredible views and the gift of a sunny day. As if the hike hadn’t already given us enough, Kiran spotted a barred owl and its chicks just a few steps from the parking lot on our way back—an unforgettable wildlife moment.
On June 23, our hikes took us to Sol Duc Hot Springs and onward to trails leading toward Deer Lake.
That day introduced us to Seattle rain both steady and unapologetic. Every item in my backpack finally proved useful: hats, gloves, and jackets all came out. Ironically, I was the only one prepared for it.
Thankfully, Erica had planned generously for lunch with apples, trail mix, and snacks from the previous night’s shopping which were completely demolished by our party of five. The evening ended perfectly at a Native American–themed steak and shrimp restaurant we found just before closing. Laughter, good food, and stories from the day carried us late into the night.
The Edge of the Pacific Trails
Our final day in the Olympic area, June 24, was spent at Salt Creek Recreation Area, about 30 minutes from our Airbnb. We covered roughly seven miles of mostly flat trail along the coastline toward Striped Peak, where kelp-filled waters showcased the rugged marine beauty of the West Coast.
The weather blessed us once again, and energy levels stayed strong despite the coastal winds. By evening, our time in Olympic National Park had come to an end. We packed up and prepared to head south—toward Mount Rainier and our next base in Ashford.
Way to Tahoma Paradise – Mt. Rainier
After checking out on June 25, we traveled through Seattle en route to Mount Rainier National Park. We caught the 11:55 a.m. ferry from Kingston to Edmonds, barely making it aboard as the last car, almost missed it due to my momentary confusion between lane 22 and 23.
Seattle was even more alive that day with Pride celebrations in full swing—colorful outfits, joyful chaos, and a city proudly welcoming the LGBTQ+ community.
Rajiv had touted Pike Place Chowder long before taking us there, where we finally tasted its rich, New England–style clam chowder (yes, New England) on the West Coast. Along the way, the infamous Gum Wall in Post Alley was unavoidable encounter: colorful, bizarre, sticky, and oddly fascinating.
Paradise Found (Thunder, Hail, and Grace at Mount Rainier)
Our chalet near Mount Rainier resembled a classic alpine lodge—a red wooden house with a steep roof and wide eaves. The drive even brought us face to face with a lost elk wandering the neighborhood, which felt fitting after a long day of driving.
As usual, our vacation mornings started slowly around 10:00 a.m. filled with conversation, reflections on the previous day, and casual planning for hikes ahead. On June 26, driving into Mount Rainier National Park was awe-inspiring. The mountain stood tall and commanding, a majestic living volcano defying gravity. Snow blanketed the foothills, even in June, and the Skyline Trail truly lived up to its nickname, Paradise. Marmots darted about like characters from The Chronicles of Narnia, busily attending to their mysterious projects.
We also explored Myrtle Falls and caught views of ice climbers ascending the lower slopes. Suddenly, thunder rolled and clouds thickened. Rangers warned visitors to leave immediately. Some lingered—this was Washington, after all—but the Sarvepallis wisely retreated, narrowly escaping the rain.
We ended the day with a peaceful stop at Reflection Lake, opting for a calmer, restorative walk. Dinner was at the only open restaurant nearby at the Paradise Village, a Ukrainian restaurant that was understaffed and chaotic but heartfelt. After nine miles of walking, we didn’t mind the wait. Rajiv wisely noted that proceeds supported Ukraine, and rising prices while poor service just reflected the far-reaching impact of global conflict – thanks to Putin!
Interruptions and Alterations
That evening brought unexpected news. I received a call from my sister Geetha—my mother had fallen at her senior living home in Chennai and had been rushed to the hospital. Geetha was understandably shaken and urged me to return to India as soon as possible. That night was spent arranging flights and more phone calls to fill the disarranged plans. Fortunately, flight booking wasn’t difficult. The plan was clear: return home to Virginia, then leave for India within a day.
Carry on my Wayward Son
On the morning of June 27, I found some comfort in Psalm 23 as part of my Daily Bread reading. Our plans that day were intentionally lighter with shorter trails with more water falls and views of the national park from the western end . The trail was lined with Western white pines draped in “gray beard” lichen, with young white pine saplings adorable like children decorating the path.
Club moss, unique alpine vegetation, and the sharp calls of pikas echoed through the still woods. The hike led us to small lakes and a majestic and powerful waterfall. A curious Steller’s jay followed us for a while, likely hoping for a snack. As this marked our final day at Mount Rainier, we slowed down. Kiran, as on every trip, planned to cook sausage and spaghetti that night delightfully.We rested, knowing that the next day would take us back to Dulles—and soon after take me onward to India. I hoped to see my mother heal, recover, and smile again.
This trip was another reminder to me that the American West still stands as an open invitation where opportunity, beauty, and adventure meet every wandering visitor including myself. So long till another trip!