4 posts tagged “mt. rainier”
After 6 days, including yesterday with 3 kids doing much of the grunt work, here is my new classroom/physics lab:
And my desk, now in the back corner so that when kids aren't there I can work in privacy from the hall traffic and not have to look directly across the hall at Princess, TTFH:
Getting it all to fit was a project. Along the back wall to the left of the desk and then the adjacent window wall are 4 moveable cabinets with the physics equipment 4 groups ( I have 18 this year) will need for Physics, and an 8-foot table for each group. The aquarium, sans fish, is at the opposite corner of the room. It got fresh water yesterday and needs to cycle awhile before I move the guppies. I will move most of their current water with them so that will be helpful - but I think the filter pump that was in their new tank that we moved is shot, so I have the huge filter in their right now. I'll move the actual filter with them as that's where all the good bacteria are.
And the view from my window while sitting at my desk is not bad........ At least I'm not having to look at someone who irritates me while I am trying to work. And when I lock my door at night, she can't come steal my stuff.
I know that she was unwilling to give up her lab because she feels that it makes her look important to be in there. I know that it's just an insecurity thing, and I know that she will use it to make herself feel very important in the eyes of the kids. I only wish that the kids thought she was important. They truly don't like her. I'm sure that some of them learn something, but they sure don't learn to like science and they sure don't learn that they are good at it, even when they are.
On another note, the dissertation is getting there, too. It seems the more I run, the more motivsted I am to write. Interesting thought. I have a bit of data analysis to do before I go back to school today, and a bit of laundry to put away as well.
We went to Tolmie Peak today. The mountain was her usual spectacular self, as viewed from the access road just outside the park:
Most of the trail as we approached Eunice Lake was still under 4-6 ft of snow. Trailhead at Paul Peak:
Mowich Lake was clear and still, with a frosting of conifer pollen.
Avalanche lilies (Erythronium montanum) were everywhere.
The grey jays are curious, fearless, and unscrupulous.
When Mike wasn't looking, one landed in his hand and swiped FOUR peanuts all at once. You can see the bird cramming them all into his mouth.
Cool waterfall that wasn't there lase August. Okay so you have to look sideways, I'm too tired to flip it.
Then, after a climb involving I think 4 long but steep switchbacks, we broke out of the forest into a meadow and Eunice Lake.
Our destination was the ranger's cabin at Tolmie Peak. Waaaaaayyyy up there...........
Across about a mile more of snowfield, and then a 900 ft climb in just under a mile of really steep switchbacks. Most of this snow was 4-5 ft deep; some deeper. We knew there were mini snow caves beneath as we could see water running out, so were just hoping the snow would hold. Two rangers had passed us wile I was taking photos, so we figured that to follow their footprints would be ok.
Our destination was this ranger cabin.
And finally, we reached the peak and the cabin. I think this was the toughest hike I've ever done. The snow was exhausting to walk on.
Mt. Rainier, from the ranger station.
Mt. St. Helens, to the SE:
I think this is Glacier Peak.
And Mt. Baker, although I might have the two photos reversed. And I'm not sure that one is even Glacier Peak.
Our house is out there somewhere. The Olympic Mountains are just visible in the background. I'm sure it's 200 miles to the Olympics from here; about 24 as the Great Bald Eagle flies, to our house.
to get back down here:
Meanwhile, the fireworks locally have settled to a few random pops.
Goodnight.
Show us the best picture you took in 2006.
Submitted by Captured Moments.Mt. Rainier, from my house. Taken with a POS 6 megapixel point-and-shoot. I can't wait for a good day now that I have a better camera (see Zippy photos, last post.)
Had a friend in town yesterday, so we took him hiking
Up the Carbon River....
All the way to the glacier. The glacier itself is black from debris on top, hence the name.
The cave is at the bottom of the glacier, where the river begins as the melt water runs off.
ALL the way to the glacier? (It's about 100 ft down these rocks.)
well - almost all the way to the glacier.
About 50 yards away. Boulders were falling so we chose to keep a distance. The ceiling is maybe 30-50 ft high, hard to tell.
A great day. A good time was had by all.
