Mt. Rainier National Park: A Winter Wonderland

Winter is coming – and that means visitors can once again enjoy the winter activities in Washington’s national parks. For instance, here are some of the places in Mt. Rainier National Park people can go to during the winter:

Image source: visitrainier.com

Crystal Mountain summit

Atop Crystal Mountain, there are sweeping mountain views that tourists can enjoy while filling themselves with delectable food from the Summit House restaurant. Even the ride to the top in the Mt. Rainier Gondola is a great experience on its own.

Paradise snow play area

Families visiting the national park can bring the kids to the well-known snow play area at Paradise. There, people of any age can have fun sledding down the slope as squeals and laughter fill the cold air.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area

For nature lovers, there are daily winter-feeding activities in Oak Creek Wildlife Area. The place is actually one of the best locations in the entire U.S. for elk watching. Additionally, bighorn sheep are also fed at the nearby Cleman Mountain Feeding site.

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Mount Tahoma Trails or White Pass

Those looking for more physical activities can head to Mount Tahoma Trails as there is expansive space for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skate skiing. An alternative location for these recreations is the White Pass Nordic Center.

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On The Defensive: How Michael Pinckney Has Leveled Up His Game

The University of Miami Hurricanes’ football team has yet to lose a game this season. They have won all six games, so far, boosting their chances of winning their first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship.

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The team’s offense has been good, with quarterback Malik Rosier orchestrating the offense like a well-oiled machine. Miami’s rushers and receivers have given the team an average of four touchdowns per game.

On the other end, the defense has been terrific, particularly in late-game situations. The defense is led by linebacker Michael Pinckney, who has already racked up nine tackles on his way to two conference Linebacker of the Week awards and a Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week recognition.

Even during his high school years, Pinckney was already turning heads with his skills and potential to be an all-world defender. A Miami native, he had dreamt of playing for the Hurricanes and had committed to the university while he was still in the ninth grade.

In his first season for the team in 2016, he surpassed the high standards that fans and analysts had for him, with some already considering him as one of the nation’s best linebackers.

This year, he has improved even more because of two things. Firstly, he plays with a chip on his shoulder because of so many people outside the city of Miami doubting the Hurricanes’ status as one of the best college football teams in the U.S. Secondly, he has built a strong relationship with his teammates and staff, because he understands what he is supposed to do and has earned the trust of everyone around him with his commitment to fulfilling his defensive duties.

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Patrick Dwyer is a Miami-based financial advisor who loves watching the Hurricanes’ football and basketball teams. See more news and updates about University of Miami’s sports programs by following this Twitter page.