What A Blast!

After 500 miles of driving the past two days, we’re happy to be back in our condo. At least it was 500 miles of gorgeous scenery.

Blackberries and blueberries grow like weeds around here, which makes you wonder why they cost so much in a grocery store in Phoenix.

Here’s a view of Mt. St. Helens from the hiking trail, which I was on by myself because my wife thought it was too cold, wet, and windy on the side of a Washington mountain in October to go hiking—wimp. I had a great time by myself while she sat in a warm movie theater.

Mt. St. Helens before I was abandoned.

Here’s some of the devastation you can still see 28 years later. Thousands of very large trees were snapped like twigs. It may not show up well here, but you can click on these pictures and get full-size photos so you can see the detail.

Just before we left, some of the clouds started to clear so that we could get a better view of the crater from the explosion.

During my hike I walked up on some deer. You definitely need to click on this picture. Do you see them both?

I was here 10 or 12 years ago and it still seemed pretty devastated. Since then a lot of the trees they planted have grown into thick forest. They planted a lot of these noble firs. The funny thing is that as you look at them, you feel like you can't focus your eyes. The way they look in the picture is the way they look in reality.

I think tomorrow is a day of rest. You may get pictures of us napping on the couch.