Day 18 June 30 2010

We traveled to Washington today and went to mt. St. Helens, this was an all day trip for us.It was early when we left the RV Park in Portland OR (before 7:00 AM), we arrived at the mountain a little before 9:00 AM, at the mountain the temperature was 44 deg. (F) and a slight breeze. COLD. The road to the mountain viewing is about 40 miles off I-5 and takes about 90 min. to get to the top. This was very interesting and the information we received was well worth the trip.
May 18, 2010 marked the 30th Anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Thirty years ago we witnessed the largest eruption of the 20th century in the 48 states. Thirty years later, we are experiencing the amazing re-birth and recovery of the volcanic landscape. Mount St. Helens demonstrates daily the catastrophic power of an active volcano and the ability to evolve back into a living natural environment.
It is hard to believe that it has been 30 years since the eruption occurred. There is a lot of new growth and it is beautiful here also.

It was our 52nd. anniversary today. We went out to eat at a nice little local restaurant that the people at the RV park recommended. It was great. Right on the river. Good "Chicken & Dumplings"and with the weather we had that day it tasted really good..


Two large trees along I-5 in Washington on the way to Mt. St. Helens.
Our exit is here. Now it is only another 90 min. drive to the top.

Lava flow along State Highway 504.

A great memorial along this highway.

A visitor center along the way up to the top.

Picture of the valley where the new growth is making this beautiful again.

This bridge was built after the eruption.

We are now on the edge of the blast zone.

Lovely flowers that have grown back along the 504 State Highway.

These trees give you a feeling that all things are blurry, but they are not.

Another view of the mountain.

I took the wrong side of this marker. Sorry. We were on our way up to the top and were entering, not leaving.

Another picture of the mountain, I guess I got carried away with all the beauty.

A map of the area. Mt. St. Helens today.

From the top of the viewing path.

The Before Picture of Mt. St. Helens. It lost about 90% of the top during the explosion per the park information.

After photo.

Deer along the road to the top on Mt. St. Helens.

More deer.

Notice the trees, how they were blown away from the explosion when Mt. St. Helens lost its top 30 years ago. The trees all pointed toward the blast area as if they were a compass.

Info sign.

Looking down on top of the center. Check out the roof, it is grass.

Our picture with Mt. St. Helens in background.

Mt. St. Helens 30 years later.

It was COLD up here this morning. Also Windy.

The valley where the lava flowed.

The Observatory.

This is where we ate for our 52 nd anniversary.

It was right on the river.

Information about the restaurant.

Check out the chicken'n dumbling I ordered.

This to was along the Oregon Trail.