Three majestic volcanoes rise high above the misty veil of the Cascade Range, the mountainous backbone of Washington State. These mountains are part of the Ring of Fire of volcanic ranges almost circling the Pacific Ocean. They rivet the attention with their beauty, mystery and ever-changing aspects. Struck by bright sunlight, it's easy to see why early native tribes called them “white and shining.” When haloed in clouds, the peaks soar into the stratosphere. When viewed from meadowlands, their massive projections appear timeless, primordial even. Driving through their forested foothills and along their alpine crests, waterfalls, rock slides and the quick dart of deer remind us that this is a living landscape, more magical the closer we approach and the more we observe.