We get a lot of rain in the JBLM area, but we don’t get a lot of snow. Once or twice a year if we’re lucky, we get a decent snowfall down here that shuts everything down. For the most part, however, the snow in this area of western Washington is fairly nonexistent, which means that if we want snow, we need to go to the mountains. I mentioned on my instagram last week that after our last visit to Gold Creek Pond, I really wanted to see snow. When we went last time, we saw it high in the mountains, slowly rolling in. I kept my eye on the forecast throughout the week with one goal in mind – a snow day in Snoqualmie, Washington.
There’s something about fresh snow. It’s quiet, it’s beautiful, and it’s unmarked. We’ve made a point of getting outside every chance we get this year, and I wanted to make sure that didn’t stop with the change in seasons. The hiking season may end for the season (and by hiking, I mean proper hiking – not snowshoeing), but that doesn’t have to stop us from exploring and doing things outside together.
The weather in the mountains can change on a dime here though, so I knew we needed to be careful in regards to planning and prep. I originally had my heart set on heading up to Myrtle Falls this weekend in Mt. Rainier National Park, but the roads inbound were closed due to an intense winter storm warning. I set my sight back on the Snoqualmie area, knowing full well we could very well run into the same issue, especially with a 100% chance of snow. Ryan’s a trooper. Not only does he bear with my incessant need for adventures, but he wholeheartedly agrees with my plans, even when they send him early Saturday morning to Les Schwab to get chains for our car – just in case.
Luckily, by the time we made our way towards the Snoqualmie Pass towards Hyak, the pass was clear, just as the Snoqualmie Pass road conditions advised. The roads were wet, but the slush was gone, and the snow had stopped for a the time being. It’s a funny experience driving into the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the winter because there’s no snow for the first 45 minutes of the drive, then BAM…more than three feet of snow! Plus, as the snow-capped mountains flank the pass heading into the region, it’s like leaving the city into a completely natural wonderland, and it made for the perfect snow day in Snoqualmie.
Our friend Maribel and her daughters came with us, and the kids were more than happy to build a snow(wo)man, and Mieke got her first real taste of attempting to walk around in the snow. We took Danny, as well, who seemed to remember exactly how fun it was to romp in the snow like she did at Fort Drum. We made snowballs, we trekked through knee-high snowbanks, and we marveled at the heavy snow clouds as they descended over the mountains, down to the water, and nearly overhead again. Probably the best part of it all, however, is that it’s less than an hour and a half from where we live.
Snow. Mountains. Magic. It’s all within reach. If there’s one thing I want to take from this duty station and teach my children, it’s that the day we decide our world is magic, magic appears all around us. This was a good one, my friends.
Tell me – did you have a good weekend?
