Tag Archives: mt. rainier

Ascending our Active Volcano – September 2019

90+ APIA fans headed up into the clouds of Mt Rainier at Paradise.  We didn’t have clear skies, but we didn’t have rain either.  And while the beauty of the mountain might have alluded us in the bigger picture, we did enjoy the wild flowers, wild beasts (some even caught a glimpse of a bear) and one another in the wild.  A bit of speed dating on the way up on the bus and we are off to another beautiful fall season as a community of interculturalists, set to support one another on this cross-cultural journey.

 

The Yearly Rite of Passage on Our Volcano – September 2018

Au pairs ascended the Mt Rainier volcano this past Sunday and another class of young women came down from that mountain stronger than ever.  We had a nice day getting to know one another on the long bus ride there, playing a state trivia game and sleeping on the bus ride home.  These pictures tell the rest of the story…

 

The Rite of Passage – Au Pairs Meet Rainier – Sept 2017

It was a long way around to get ourselves safely into the park area, but dodging fires and smoke, nearly 80 au pairs made it to their destination.  Mt. Rainier.  This multi-cluster event has become a wonderful kick off to a new year with many au pairs arriving in summer.

The weather was gorgeous and this new cluster did a great job making new friends, sharing stories and having fun!  The marmots even came out in droves to welcome them to town.

If only we had more time…always..

Rainier and her Marmots

This past Sunday was a bit cloudy, a bit rainy (some of us thought the sun may come out and donned shorts…ok one of us and it never did…), but a cheery day for an international community to come together to get to know one another.  We found fewer views, but a plethora of animals.  Chipmunks and marmots posed for us on rocks as the au pair crew of this 2016 hike ascended to new heights.  Also of note, a nice sing-along to the top 40s, including our own Seattle boy, Macklemore.  They are true Seattle-ites now!fullsizerender-13 fullsizerender-14 fullsizerender-15 fullsizerender-16

Enjoying Here While We are Here – September 2015

“We should enjoy here while we’re here, ’cause there’s no here, there.”

Nearly 80 au pairs representing over 20 countries and their counselors ascended the Paradise trails of Mt Rainier this past weekend.  It was a glorious day of color and laughter and a wonderful time was had by all!

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Au Pair In America Ascends our Local Volcano – September 2014

Over 60 au pairs and the APIA counselors of WA climbed to the top of Paradise on Mt Rainier this past weekend.  The hike was short, but hot this weekend (same weekend last year was hailing!).  We chased chipmunks, smelled wild flowers and made new friends.  Thanks to all who came and made our community day together so special.

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A Wet Mt Rainier – September 2013

A brave group of 50 au pairs hiked on a windy, hailing Mt Rainier yesterday.  We first watched the video telling us about extremes on the Mountain (an active volcano with glaciers) and the counselors were reminded of the same weekend last year when we hiked with au pairs in 90 degree dry heat.  Truly this mountain does have its own weather system.  Au Pairs hiked up to see the falls on Paradise and, despite the weather, were all wearing smiles, if not the right rain gear.  Expectations are set for those who recently arrived…think they are ready for a Seattle winter…can only get drier than that.

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Conquering the Sunrise (slope of Mt Rainier) – September 2012

46 au pairs from over 12 countries hiked together making new friends and discovering new muscles as they took in the breathtaking landscape of the Sunrise slope of Mt. Rainier National Park.  We shared our lunches and our languages at the summit and had a lovely day relishing in the joy of living in WA state…at least for this year in our lives!

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