Military families are rarely stationed near friends and family. A new duty station often triggers lots of visitors who want to see all the sights but are limited on time. Mount Rainier in a day allows you to experience the highlights quickly.  It is a lot of driving, but the breathtaking views make it well worth the trip.

Preparation.  It is crucial to take the time to plan your trip.  Have a full tank of gas. Familiarize yourself with the route. Make sure you have a map as cellphone service is unreliable in the mountains.  Check weather and road closures.  Many of the roads surrounding Mt. Rainier don't open until June. Once you leave the surrounding towns, services are very limited. Pack a lunch, water and plenty of snacks - there is something about being outside that makes everyone hungry. Dress in layers and be prepared for weather changes.  Both Sunrise and Paradise can have snow on the ground into July.  Lastly, remember you are on a schedule to see everything so you will need to make sure to get an early start and keep your group moving.

The Buttered Biscuit.  Start your trip in Sumner, with one of the best breakfasts in the Pacific Northwest, at The Buttered Biscuit. Portions are huge and very yummy. Plan to arrive a little before 6 a.m. - when they open - as it is a popular restaurant. Breakfast is served with a large hunk of their signature cornbread slathered with a whipped butter. Insider tip:  Arrive early and plan to split a meal.

The Buttered Biscuit, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily; 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 1014 North St., #1000, Sumner, 253.826.6099

Sunrise.  It is about a two-hour drive from Sumner, but once you get out of civilization, the scenery will captivate you and the ride will feel much shorter. Sunrise is the highest elevation you can drive to in Mount Rainier National Park. The road usually opens by the end of June and the facilities open in July. Once you arrive at the Sunrise parking lot, plan to stay about one hour.  Two hikes that can meet your timeline are the "Sunrise Nature Trail," a 1.5-mile loop, and the "Silver Forest Trail," which is two miles, but you can hike to the Emmons Glacier overlook for one mile, round-trip.  Insider tip: Plan your trip to Sunrise after the road opens for the season, but before the facilities open in July, for smaller crowds.

Stevens Canyon Entrance Station.  About an hour drive from Sunrise. Once you pass through the entrance station, stop at the "Grove of the Patriarchs Trail". A strand of 1,000-year-old Douglas fir and Western red cedar trees sit nestled along the Ohanapecosh River, which you must cross on a suspension bridge to reach the grove.  These are some of the largest trees in Mount Rainier National Park. The trail is a 1.3-mile loop and takes about an hour. If you have kept on schedule, it should be around 1 p.m. and time to have lunch.  We usually pass out food and eat on the road as we continue on our trip. Insider Tip:  Active-duty military receive a free National Park pass.  Just show your I.D. card at any entrance station. Everyone in your car is free to enter the park.  Savings at Mount Rainier National Park: $25.

Paradise.  About a 45-minute drive with no stops from the Stevens Canyon Entrance. As you wind your way up to Paradise, Mt. Rainier peeks in and out.  If you luck into a sunny day, a stop at Reflection Lakes is a must.  With perfect conditions, Mt. Rainier is reflected in the two lakes and this is the "money" shot of Mt. Rainier.  It is considered the iconic photograph of this majestic volcano.  Continue on to Paradise.  The Paradise Jackson Visitors' Center is open daily May to September and then weekends only the rest of the year.  There are great views from inside the building and lots of exhibits about the mountain's natural features and history.  Rangers are available to answer questions.  Insider Tip: The parking lot to this popular stop frequently fills up. Just wait, people come and go and a parking place will open up soon.

Mount Rainier National Park, open daily, 55210 238th Ave. E., Ashford, WA 98304 (mailing address) 360.569.2211, nps.gov/mora

Head out from Paradise to the Nisqually Entrance Station around a 45-minute drive, to finish your day at Mount Rainier National Park. This just gives you a glimpse of this beautiful national treasure.  If it is too long a day, you can easily visit just Sunrise or Paradise.