Finally, I reached a point from where the top of Mt. Rainier became visible, its summit cloaked in a blanket of glacier. I had heard that this glacier is one of the largest in the United States, and Mt. Rainier itself stands at an impressive height of 4392 meters. Interestingly, Mt. Rainier is quite well-known among Japanese people. Its iconic shape often graces coffee packages and brands in Japan. Furthermore, over a century ago, the early immigrants who settled in Seattle were drawn to Mt. Rainier because of its resemblance to Japan’s Mt. Fuji. Consequently, these immigrants affectionately referred to it as “Tacoma Fuji.”
Eager to get a closer look, I continued to ascend. After about 20 minutes of hiking and crossing a river, I found myself stepping onto what appeared to be snow (perhaps part of the glacier?). To my surprise, there were makeshift snow slides created by fellow hikers, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to take a slide down one.
After thoroughly enjoying this hike, I was utterly exhausted, feeling as though I could barely take another step. I decided to order a hotdog, chili soup, and lemonade, and it turned out to be an excellent choice for rejuvenating my energy. While Japanese people might typically reach for a rice ball in similar situations, it seemed that Americans opt for a hot dog. It was a small yet intriguing difference I had noticed between our cultures.
