Damn racoons!
It's a shame the weather sucked at times, but that's the PNW for ya. One day we hiked Mt. Rainier without a cloud in the sky, the next day we spent on Mt. Hood and never even saw the mountain due to fog and mist. Got some fantastic hot choc at the Timberline Lodge, though. During the same week a hike at St. Helens was the most beautiful, clear day I think I've ever seen, and the next day we damn near got hypothermia back at Rainier from the cold rain and mist. PNW is a special place - you just have to have Mother Nature on your side!
Next time up that way, try to visit the REI flagship store in downtown Seattle. Amusement park for hikers.
When you visited the observatory at St. Helen's, did they stop you at the door and demand a seperate fee for basically entering a gift shop? That really ticked me off - the only reason we went in was for our daughter to go to the restroom.
