Exploring Silver Creek and Vancouver, WA - Mountains, Meals, and Memorable Moments

Nestled in the mountains, Harmony Lakeside RV Park and Cabins, in Silver Creek, WA was our base for a few days as we explored Mount Rainier National Park again, and Mount St. Helens. The resort has two sections: one near the river with lots of trees for smaller RVs and another across the street with pull-throughs for larger RVs. Unfortunately, there were no large trees to provide shade from the brutal heat wave. The pool required reservations, which we didn't get around to making, but overall, it served as a great base camp.

After a winding drive and scorching heat, cooking was the last thing on my mind. We headed to Nacho’s Mexican Restaurant in Packwood, WA, which came highly recommended on Yelp. We all ordered the "Camarones y Carne Asada" after seeing it pass by our table, and it did not disappoint. The flavors were outstanding and just what we needed.

Our second visit to Mount Rainier was even more beautiful since the weather was sunny and the snow had melted. A month made a huge difference—no more layers, just shorts and T-shirts. We hiked a portion of the Skyline Trail to the bridge to view Myrtle Falls. While Shelly and Marie took photos, I had a stare-down with a chipmunk. We then dropped the top of "The Beast" and exited via the Steven Canyon Road, which took us through the less-visited side of the park and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Mount St. Helens remains the deadliest volcanic event in U.S. history. The Visitor Center offers a great display and movie outlining the events. Managed by the Washington Park Service, there is a $5 fee per person, but it's worth it. We viewed Mount St. Helens from a distance, as the Johnston Ridge Observatory was closed due to mudslides.

We moved further south and stayed at Ninety-Nine RV Resort, another property of RV Inn Style Resorts, in Vancouver, Washington. Unfortunately, this one didn't live up to our expectations; there were no extra amenities and no staff in sight. We chose this location for its proximity to the Columbia River Gorge and Portland, OR. However, our plans shifted unexpectedly, and we took an impromptu trip to Las Vegas to see Quinton before he goes into the Army. So for us it was a place to park the RV and my sister guarded “Beauty and the Beast.”

Thanks to MGM Rewards, we scored free rooms and food at MGM Luxor. We enjoyed a nice meal at Diablo’s Cantina, had Starbucks coffee right in the lobby, and a great breakfast at the hotel restaurant. It was wonderful catching up with Quinton as he prepares to enter the military. While the slot machines didn’t provide a big win, they kept us entertained and we left with more than we started.

We also had a great lunch at Brio Italian Grille with Shelly’s former coworker, Grace, enjoying calamari, bruschetta, and delicious pasta dishes. It was a short visit, but we made the most of it and really enjoyed our stay.

While we were sweating in Vegas, Marie rented an e-bike for a half-day from E-Bike Multnomah Falls to visit many waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway. This avoided the need for a timed entry permit for Multnomah Falls and the hassle of parking. One of the highlights was Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon at 620 ft. The Multnomah Creek Bridge, built in 1914, crosses below the falls and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Marie enjoyed her e-bike adventure and taking in the beautiful scenery.

Back in Vancouver, we decided to try something new and headed to Falahi Bros Middle Eastern Cuisine. It was a delightful surprise! We had a great time eating there, and their shawarma was absolutely delicious. The flavors were spot-on, and the portions were generous. It’s definitely a place we’ll return to on our next visit.

Our adventures in Silver Creek and beyond were filled with stunning views, great food, and memorable moments. From the breathtaking national parks to the bustling streets of Vegas, every experience was unique and enjoyable.

Until next time, keep spinning the wheel of adventure!

Happy RVing!

2KidsatHeart 🚐💨