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Volcanic Country

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 On Wednesday morning after breakfast, we headed back to the airport to pick up our car. We got a very nice car, a Ford Edge, fairly large for what is described as a small SUV.


Then it was off on the road trip part of the holiday. Our first stop was in a cabin in Ashford, a very small town near the entrance to the Mount Rainier National Park. 



Thursday morning saw us head to Mount Rainier NP. Mount Rainier at 14,410 ft is the tallest mountain in Washington State. It is an active volcano and is the most glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. We drove up to Paradise which at an elevation of 5,420 ft. is famous for its stunning views. 



We then walked to Myrtle Falls and the views all round us were just stunning. 




After lunch we drove to Reflection Lakes along a road with hairpin bends and precipitous drops to the side. 



While in Ashford, we ate at the quaint Copper Creek Restaurant which opened in 1946 and is the oldest, continuously operating restaurant in Washington State. 



The sun shone brightly on Friday as we drove to Cougar, a town with virtually no residents near Mount St. Helens. We stayed in a rustic cabin in The Lone Fir Resort, surrounded by fir trees for as far as the eye could see.  


Saturday morning saw us head to Mount St. Helens where we drove through the embattled but slowly recovering landscape that makes up the Mt. St. Helens National Monument. 




We walked along the Lava Canyon Trail and explored a mudflow-scoured canyon revealed by the May 18th, 1980 eruption. 





We took a stroll along an interpretive trail and learned about an ancient lava flow that spilled down the flanks of Mount St. Helens nearly 2,000 years ago leaving behind three-dimensional imprints of trees in the old lava beds. 



When we returned to the world of Wi-Fi we were to get the result of the rugby match and were thrilled to see that we had won. Well done lads!  


Tomorrow we leave rural Washington for the time being and head south to Oregon and the bustling city of Portland. 




Comments

  1. Anonymous24 September 2023 at 05:48

    Wow…..that was all amazing & great photos .

    Bernadette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous24 September 2023 at 16:29

      Thanks. The area is a geologist’s dream.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous24 September 2023 at 14:22

    That was fabulous. Enjoying the blog. Pat. the artist loves the photographs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous24 September 2023 at 16:31

      Thanks. There are so many beautiful places to take photos.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous25 September 2023 at 06:01

    Hi Therese, the amazing adventure continues, great to have the blog with the photos . Thank you. Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Therese Aird25 September 2023 at 19:29

      Glad you are enjoying the blog.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous28 September 2023 at 03:18

    Hi Therese
    The trip looks and sounds amazing. The drive to Reflection lakes sounds just like what I would love!!!! 🤣 you know me on those journeys!! Continue enjoying your trip and keep posting the fab photos.
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous29 September 2023 at 15:44

    Wonderful photos and wonderful landscape. I’m envious of those blue skies in the first few places and I think your accommodation looks just gorgeous-what a great part of the U.S that we seldom hear about.
    Enjoy every mile-lovely car!! All the best for more great days. Rosaleen

    ReplyDelete
  6. Elaine1 October 2023 at 14:15

    Looks fab. Safe driving 🚗

    ReplyDelete

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