Last June, we made a trip to Mount St. Helens. It was the kids first trip and our second. This time we managed to reach early enough to get into the Johnston Ridge Observatory at the top. The last trip we made, we were the only ones at the Parking lot. It was an eerie feeling with the cold winds gusting across the snow, almost in a howl and two puny Indians standing there trying to keep ourselves from flying away with the winds. 9-10 years ago we were quite unlike us today. We were the typically skinny, barely looking alive Indians. It was an Awesome View that made me shiver while thinking "Were we lucky to not have been here when it blew up or was it a once in a lifetime event if we survived it to talk of it?"
The kids enjoyed the activities at the Observatory more than they enjoyed the mountain and the trail paths. They loved viewing a small herd of Elk Grazing in the valley through the viewing deck's binoculars. I didnt realize that there was life in what is a valley of ash interpersed with vegetation and trees below, so I was in awe. Even through what was quite a powerful binocular they looked like a matchbox model of a car.
Here are the Pictures from the recent visit. The camera doesnt really do justice to the views but it does give out the vibe of the vastness and the panoramic scenes. Hope you enjoy the view.
This was the view of the mountain as we returned.
This Bridge seemed to make such a spectacle of itself in an otherwise Green Landscape. So I thought if it called attention, it needed documentation :P
The Johnston Ridge Observatory
The view of the mountain from Johnston Ridge. The poor thing looks like it has no head
There was a lake formed from the ice melt, part ash and part water.
The River of ash that is left in what seems like the valley.
This is the green area where the Elk were.
This is the most brave chipmunk I ever saw. It was ready to take nuts from my hands. I had to take its proud posture that seemed to say "Look!! I have a spine" (giggling)
This was the only thing that added colour to the otherwise grey/brown landscape at the top. Indian Paintbrushes, snapdragons and a few other shrubs whose names I do not know but they had voilet/pink flowers were the only ones that dared to survive the windy, cold, arid place.
Here is the Slide :
Have a Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanza! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Winter Solstice! and To all a Happy New Year!