This was really stop one on this road trip with my dear friend Wendy May.  A true example of Plan B and a friend coming to the rescue as the trip was originally planned for Scott and I.  A romantic adventure with lodging that included everything from a remote log cabin to a luxury boutique hotel in Seattle. However, about 2 months prior to the trip, Scott was told that his company was moving and that he would not be able to go. “Go anyway” he said….but what fun is a trip like this without someone to share it with?  While conveying my disappointment at the possibility of having to cancel to friends and family, Wendy said “I’ll go”.  What makes this even more special is that she would have to fly in from the UK.  Plan B is hatched, Wendy flies in and meets me in Spokane, and the adventure begins.  So anyway, again this was our first stop and I had booked a romantic log cabin through VRBO (my fav place to find great accommodation) nestled remotely in the woods.  It was a beautiful little cabin but hardly what Wendy and I would have chosen for ourselves with the possibility of ax murderers on the loose.  Although we locked ourselves out not once, but twice, our stay there was amazing.  After a day of driving and hiking, we spent some time in the outdoor hot tub while sipping on local wine.  It was absolutely lovely and I’m happy to say we were not bothered by ax murderers or the like the two nights we were there-our only visitors being the local elk.  During the day, we drove through Mt. Rainier National Park.  One thing I loved the most about the park was its diversity.  We decided to drive the “Mt. Rainier Loop” – a 5-6 hour circle tour up the mountain and then back down.  The first part of the drive up was beautifully sunny and green with wildflower meadows and flowing waterfalls.  But by the time we got to Paradise at the top, it was snowing and there was quite a bit on the ground – certainly not my idea of paradise but for whoever loves the snow I guess it might be.  In any event, it was all very beautiful and like driving through a couple of seasons all in one day.