Washington
To
see other sights from our west coast trip click on:
San Francisco,
International Puzzle Party,
Oregon, Alaska Cruise,
Alaska
sightseeing, or Flowers
Mount St.Helens.
Our first view.
The view from the Johnston
Ridge Observatory about 8 miles away
Seismographs placed
around the area radio their data back to recorders to track changes in
the volcano.
We took a hike on a
trail from the observatory.
Even 30 years after the
eruption the devastation is evident.
Trunks and stumps of
trees that were leveled by the initial blast.
But life is returning,
first to sheltered areas on the back sides of ridges in and behind
fallen logs.
We found this along the
trail. We didn't take it apart to investigate what it
contained.
It looks like a
caddisfly larval case but
They are normally found
in streams, I have no idea what it was doing in this dry area.
If you can offer another
theory as to what it is let me know.
A spring in a iron rich
spot has made the orange streak below ash hummocks left by the volcano.
A glacier has formed in
the crater with a meltwater steam cascading down from it.
In the center of the
crater there is a lava dome.
In 2006 it was measured at 1300 ft above the 1986 crater floor and it has had periods of growth since then.
Steam issuing from vents
changes every minute.
Closer views.
The glacial stream joins with
the outflow from Spirit Lake to form the north fork of the Toutle river.
We saw this elk when we
were walking on a trail well down the mountain from the
observatory.
On our way out to the
coast we explored a rain
forest.
No rain while we were
there but from the lush trees, ferns, and moss it was easy to imagine.
The peaceful, quiet,
and beautiful coast as we drove around the Olympic peninsula.
Beaches all to ourselves.
The ferry ride from
Kingston to Edmonds Washington.
We were fortunate to
have weather clear enough to see Mt
Rainer nearly 80 miles away.
Archie McPhee A
truly unique experience.
With nearly everything
you didn't know you wanted.
By train from Seattle to
Vancouver.
The station in Seattle
is being restored to its original glory.
Boarding.
They still use the
luggage wagons like those I remember from 60 years ago.
Under way.
Sights along the way.
The trip is mostly along
the coast with stops in some of the towns we passed through.
Edmonds (again),
Everett, Stanwood, Mount Vernon, Bellingham, and then we arrived in
Vancouver, BC
In Vancouver we did some
sightseeing and set out on our Alaska cruise.
To
see other sights from our west coast trip click on:
San Francisco,
International Puzzle Party,
Oregon, Alaska Cruise,
Alaska
sightseeing, or Flowers
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