Beware of the Rug: If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 578

Thursday, October 20, 2022

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 578

Paradise, Mt. Rainier National Park, Tatoosh Range, ca 1943

This used Linen-type postcard is dated 1943 and has a note written from an U.S. Army Cpl. John G. Peck to his parents in New York. The card was published by Adams News, Col. Of Seattle, Washington and distributed by E.C. Kropp Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The blurb found at the upper left on the reverse: “The rugged Tatoosh Range, encircling the south side of Paradise Valley, extends from Longmire Springs, the Southwest entrance to the park, to Chanapecosh [Ohanapecosh] Hot Springs, the Southeast entrance. Eagle Peak, Lane Peak and Pinnacle Peak stand out in the rugged range.” I found this card in a jumble of cards at an antique pavilion. Paradise at Mt. Rainier National Park is a place we have been to hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Like many postcards of this era, it looks like this one was originally a black & white picture that has been colored in and reproduced as a color postcard. Shown are the old inn, parking lot, and the Tatoosh Range in the background. The park was closed to the public during World War II; however, in 1942 and 1943 the U.S. Army used the inn to house troops training for winter mountain conditions. This card was mailed in August of 1943 and as noted, was sent by a soldier to his parents.

The Tatoosh Range seen in the background is located in the park and in the adjacent Tatoosh Wilderness. This range runs roughly east to west and has 25 named peaks. The peaks average nearly 6,420 ft or 1,960 meters high. Views of these mountains and Mount Rainier are visible from Paradise.

Tatoosh Range, 2016

Mt. Rainier National Park has many wonderful hiking trails and we try to visit there each year. There is an entry fee or pass required. We are fortunate to have a senior National Park pass that gives us entry to National Parks and also some other attractions. This year the cooler weather extended the snow conditions and has meant a shorter hiking season for us. Both the Sunrise side and Paradise are long drives from home for us. We know we have to get there early because so many people visit the park most of the available parking is full by around 10 am. Since Sunrise is a slightly shorter distance we have been there more often.