Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, WA, USA - 41st and Final Stop on our Trek North to Alaska

Gerda our GPS said, "Welcome to the USA" as we left Canada and entered Washington, the Evergreen State.  Some welcome we got--road construction and major traffic all the way on Highway 5!  Oh well, check-in at Denny Creek Campground within Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest was not until 4 p.m., and they were adamant that no early arrivals are allowed.

Denny Creek Campground is a beautiful, wooded park. Unfortunately, the pull thru sites are problematic for long rigs like Big Boomer.  Although the sites are paved, they are on a curve and have boulders as boundary markers.  Plus the electric hookup boxes are sometimes set too close to the parking pavement, making it an easy object to hit.  We squeezed into the spot eventually and were delighted with the size of our picnic area, complete with table, fire pit, and platform if you wanted to put up a tent or canopy.














The last thing we wanted to do was buck traffic to visit Seattle, especially since we toured there on a previous trip.  So my family opted to relax around the campfire and enjoy the hiking trails that originate in the park, including the historic Snoqualmie Wagon Trail.

The Franklin Trail is known for being very family-friendly.  It is an easy hike with a water fall and water pools, top on the list of fun for kids and doggies, too.

Denny Creek Trail is more moderate, with some very rocky areas, but the payoff is terrific:  water pools, stepped falls, and apparently an area sun lovers come to soak in the rays.  I was all ready to join some old geezer with a pot belly wearing a g-string, but Mom put the kibosh on my plans.

Look at the sun's ray shining down on Dad!

We turned around shortly beyond this point, making our outing a 6+-mile hike.  But real adventurers can continue uphill about another mile to enjoy the alpine Melakwa Lake.









Last night we shared our campfire, remembrances, and Mom's popcorn with Claudia/Mike (and Little Chip, too!).  Alas, this is our final stop together on this joint journey to The Last Frontier.  And a good trip it was!  A 5-cheeser, for sure!  We are so blessed to have had the opportunity to see this gorgeous part of our country and some lovely areas of Canada as well.

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This trip of a lifetime definitely earns my coveted                5-cheese award!

To all the folks in RVillage, we thank you for sharing your trips with us and for allowing us to share ours with you!   It was a pleasure to meet many of you in person, too!  I hope you'll check in with me from time to time as I continue to write my blog.  I plan on doing an Alaskan fiscal budget recap and "what I would do differently" summary in upcoming editions in an effort to assist RVers who plan to be the "North to Alaska Class of 2017".















Well, we are heading back to Texas--and not a moment too soon.  I've got a hankering' for some BBQ and rib-eyes.
And so friends, until we all meet again, safe travels on your future journeys!