Just a little bit outside of Mount Rainier National Park is Packwood. Spread neatly across Route 12, it has a few motels, a historic lodge (the recently restored Hotel Packwood), a brewery (this is Washington after all) and one amazing coffee shop.

We loved The Mountain Goat mostly for the covered outside area facing the Hotel Packwood and then behind that the low mountains building up to Mount Rainier. They also roast their own beans and serve delicious food. Nothing wrong with the inside area either; lots of dark wood and comfortable chairs.

The Mountain Goat also was our last stop in the Mount Rainier area, a pause before venturing deeper into the Pacific Northwest (home of my long time nemesis The Yeti). It was an amazing three nights camping with my best friend, girlfriend and wife who, lucky for me, are all the same person. But the road is calling and we must go (all apologies to John Muir).