Reservations are being made at a typical pace as crews prepare Paradise Inn for its May 18 opener.
The famed inn, originally built in 1916 and now having 121 guest rooms, provides lodging, food and beverages and gifts at the most heavily visited location at Mount Rainier National Park. The inn includes the Paradise Inn Dining Room, Tatoosh Café and a gift shop.
The inn will open at noon on May 18, and the dining room will open at the same time, said Pam Newlun, sales manager for Mount Rainier Guest Services, which runs the inn.
Guests should expect to see the inn as it was last year, Newlun said.
While there are 184 inches of snow on the ground at Paradise, opening preparations are going much smoother than last year.
“The last time I checked there were about 40 inches less of snow this year compared to last year. So getting into the building has not been an issue,” Newlun said.
The number of reservations already made are similar to what the inn staff see from year to year. Once the inn opens, Newlun expects to see an increase in the volume.
Many of those reservations will come online. Last year, Newlun said 50 percent of the reservations came from online and 50 percent were phone calls.
Last year was the first year Guest Services offered online reservations.
“It was very successful. It is really a matter of convenience for visitors who live in this state but also international visitors. With time differences and language barriers, it can be difficult to make reservations by phone,” Newlun said.
To make a reservation, go to mtrainierguestservices.com or call 360-569-2275.
LIGHTHOUSE PARTY
State Parks and Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse are celebrating the 114th anniversary of the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco.
The celebration runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 19 at the lighthouse. The event includes self-guided tours of the Lighthouse Keeper’s Residence, memories shared by those who lived at or cared for the lighthouse and live music by the Ilwaco High School Jazz Band. Refreshments will be available. The North Head gift shop will be open during the event. A Discover Pass is required to attend this event.
Participants also may tour the lighthouse and lantern room from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tours are $2.50 for adults and free for children 7-17. Children must be 7 years or older to tour the lighthouse.
For more information, call 360-665-5580 or 360-642-2502.
MOTHER’S DAY SAIL
The Center for Wooden Boats and Washington State Parks are hosting the 11th annual Mother’s Day Sail at Cama Beach State Park.
The event runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the park, 1880 S.W. Camano Drive, Camano Island.
Participants may ride historic vessels visiting the park for no cost. A powered livery boat will transport visitors from the shore of the park to the vessels sailing in Saratoga Passage. Onshore activities include wooden toy boat building with traditional hand tools, nautical-themed card marking, live music and interpretive programs. A Discover Pass is required for this event.
This year’s visiting vessels include: The Lavengro, built in 1926, is a Biloxi-style schooner; The Joshua, a 37-foot replica of Joshua Slocum’s Sprey, which he single-handedly sailed around the world; The Admirable, the center’s own Bristol Bay gillnetter; and The Patience, a Grand Banks dory originally constructed in Olympia.
Parking is limited at Cama Beach State Park. Carpooling is recommended. For more information, contact the center at 360-387-9361 or cama@cwb.org.
Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640 jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/adventure
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.