RAMROD 2010

Top of Paradise

Yesterday we completed, or almost completed* the Ride Around Mt. Rainier in One Day.  We started at 6:30 am in a cool fog which quickly gave way to sunshine at about 9:30.  Much better temps than the 100-110 degrees last year.  This year Paradise was open again and the views were spectacular with the wild flowers at their peak.  The descent down from Paradise was comparable to the descent from Soulor to the tunnel leading to D'Aubisque - winding switchbacks with a steep drop off to the right and a crazy descent down Grove of the Patriarchs to Highway 140 and the start of Cayuse Pass.  Dotted along the road are many waterfalls and high mountain lakes, Reflection Lake being one I remember in particular.  Well worth the ride just to see the scenery.

*At the Crystal rest stop we received news that our daughter had been hit head-on by an impaired, uninsured driver who crossed over into her lane about 3 blocks from our home.  Police estimated he was going anywhere from 60-80 mph in a 30 mph zone in front of a small school.  He also had priors and was driving with a suspended license.  The front of our '02 Saab 9-3 hatch-back was sheared off to a 90 degree angle but the body was intact.  The only visible damage inside was the radio and air control buttons that had popped out.  Our daughter received only minor bruising from the airbags, steering wheel and seat belts.  The other guy? ICU with a severe head injury.  This all on a Thursday at 3 pm.  When we bought the Saab, their motto was safety, safety safety.

Back to the ride; 133 miles out of 154 (took a sag van back the rest of the way).  8900 feet of gain out of the possible 10,000 feet.

Getting ready to descend Stevens Canyon