It was a rainy Sunday, so a good time for some random errands before packing and moving west. Very slow getting things put away and of course that's just when the skies let loose...poor Paul dripping wet as he got the car onto the trailer and us ready to go. Once we were all tucked back into the little yellow motor home the rain stopped...crazy Californians...nobody else would have stayed out in the rain knowing that it will probably stop in a half hour or so. We moved about 40 miles northwest to a tiny town of St Helens, OR. No real reason for picking it other than there is a pretty Elk's camping area there, it's right along the Columbia River and it wasn't too far to drive. Felt good to get away from the city life and back into beautiful open hillsides and trees.
Decided to take a longer day trip on Monday to visit Mt. St. Helen's National Monument, in Washington state. A beautiful top down day about 100 miles away from here. What a perfect day to visit the volcano area and learn the story of the eruption and collapse of the volcano back in 1981.
The views got better as the afternoon went on as more of the clouds dissipated and the hole in the side of the volcano became more pronounced. Great Ranger talk, he was such a natural teacher...he had props to help explain how the mountain actually collapsed and he kept everyone laughing with his explanations. Loved it and learned so much!
We walked up a hill near the visitor center and found these beautiful trees showing how the power of the explosion just shredded trees while leaving the trunk and roots attached in the ground...and all within 3 minutes time!
So glad we took the drive, very few cars on the roadways with lush forests all along the way.
Tuesday we took a bike ride around the little town of St. Helen's and down to the water front and marina. Then took this picture from the back deck of the Elk's Lodge Dining Room, what a setting!
Got everything packed up and drove west...back to the ocean again and to Astoria, the last city before crossing into Washington state across a very scary bridge. White knuckles for me to be in a motorhome crossing a very high span on a narrow roadway, cars even passed us on the long flat section of the bridge. Couldn't believe it! I had no idea I was taking us on such a tall bridge, but we did it. Another first for our yellow house.
We headed up the western coast of Washington stopping for a break at this lake near the little town of Ilwaco. The drive is beautiful as fall is beginning to show its colors here in the northwest. Trees are turning yellow or getting a reddish tips yet surrounded by evergreens.
We had traveled enough for the day so came into Raymond and found this campsite along the Willapa Bay, clouds coming in but still pretty warm. The town once supported a major logging industry with 2 railroads serving it, but most of the waterfront sites are now empty and abandoned. Coming into the town there is the Wildlife Heritage Sculpture Corridor with cast iron figures of local wildlife and close to town the sculptures are of people. Gotta get some photos of those tomorrow.
Then we'll be turning east again to spend a day or two with Kate and Paul Bauer. Very excited about seeing them!!!!
1 comment:
It's so nice getting caught up on where you are and what your doing. As always, your photo's are so beautiful....I feel as if I'm on a mini vacation. Thanks so sharing! Our garden is still putting out beautiful tomatoes and squash. We've picked the pumpkins and have put more hay in the barn. Tomorrow we'll open the bee hives again to see if it's time for our last honey harvest. Where is the time going? with much love, Laura and Eli
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