Happy July 4

This is our last full day at North Cascades National Park. We went over to the small store in Newhalem and bought ice for the cooler. We also visited the Visitor's Center for that area of the park. At 10 am there was hardly anyone around, but by 10:45 or so the area was packed and very little parking.

Phil and I hiked a short trail in that area called Ladder Falls. It is over another sketchy, narrow suspension bridge behind the power plant. The suspension bridge is only supposed to have 10 people on it, however, either many of the visitors could not read English or ignored the sign. There are lot of tourists here speaking other languages, but they all have Washington license plates so not sure if they live in Seattle or just have rental cars. (Phil said he didn't see the sign until I pointed it out.) When we first arrived a large group was on the bridge stopping in the middle to take photos. I waited and then bolted across as soon as they left while Phil strolled slowly after me.

There is a garden at Ladder Falls that was designed 94 years ago by a man fascinated with the modern technology of electricity. He designed a path with exotic and tropical plants planted in heated gardens and placed colored lights all along the falls and walkway and speakers with music. It was wrong in so many ways to spoil the landscape, but sometimes people are blinded by technology. The trail is mainly a remnant of its original self. Most tropical plants are gone. Most man-made pools are dry. The falls are nicer now although they apparently still have some colored lighting at night.

We'll pack up tonight so we can pull out early tomorrow. I think on a Sunday morning traffic will be lighter even at the end of a holiday weekend. We'll be making our way towards Mt Ranier, but will stop tomorrow night at a hotel to wash clothes and restock on groceries.Read more