I see no ships!

Elk viewing point, we saw no Elk until a volunteer came and trained our telescope in on a group of Elk, apparently enjoying a patch of shade..Then we saw no Elk, just a distant wobbly shadow or 2!

This is our second visit to Mt St Helens, first being in 2009. It is difficult to imagine anything more astonishing than the picture postcard beauty of this volcano pre 1980, then to see it in the flesh some 42 years later, with both its ediface and surrounding landscape totally altered.

Coldwater Lake created by the eruptions in 1980, some of the signage invites the reader to imagine the lake in 10/20/30 years with established plant and animal life. We saw today this has all come true.

This Lake was created from the overspill from Spirit lake. A vast landslide from the eruption filled Spirit lake raising it by about 200 feet and doubling its surface area. A channel was later created to drain some of the lakes water and Coldwater Lake was born.

Today was particularly hazy, but this illustration gives an idea of then and now.
On May 18th 1980, the first of a series of eruptions occured, the devastating landslide took the lives of 57 people.

Instead of exploding straight up, the eruption blasted through the north side of the volcano sending ash, rocks and ice hurtling down the northern slopes and onwards.

The small hills you can to the left are "hummocks", they are intact pieces of the mountain, carried along by the initial explosion and littered along the way.

Our final night in town, so I chose The red lobster.

I also chose an enornous frozen Marguerita.

And a Lobster dinner, this gal doesn't do things by half!

Ian seems overjoyed with his fish 'n chips.

Well friends we will try to make a final post tomorrow, it has been our greatest pleasure to share the last few weeks with you. Special mention to our contributors, Gareth (never failing to give us a giggle), Jan for her encouragement, Caroline for her wit & Tourettes, my Min .. Love you all xx