Holiday - Amboy, Mount St Helens and Portland
Continuation of the travel report by Conny Voesenek
Wednessday, August 22nd, daytrip to Mount St Helens
Rise and shine at 6.30 a.m., a quick breakfast, prepared lunch to take with us, a fast check of e-mail and we took of: finally I went to see the vulcano of Mount St Helens up close and personal. From a distance you could allready feel the vulcanic energy, it's pure magic to me. Very difficult to explain but to me it has such an attraction and I get emotional, all that magnitude! We planned to take a normal road to drive to Windy Ridge, there you can look into the crater and then go all the way around to the Johnston Ridge observation station.
Our 1st stop was after we only drove for half an hour at Yale Lake which was deadcalm: simply beautiful, the rinklefree water. Just as we drove away a deer crossed our path; cool! The next stop wasn't far away at Yale Reservoir on the Swift river.
Again, a lovely view, broad and so quiet and so much tranquility! There was a lot of driftwood and unfortunately we couldn't take these giant antlers with us. I think Steve would have been pleased with it to use in the garden. So we only took a few small pieces of wood that I could take home with me. Further along the way we stopped to take some pictures of the lake, You could spend hours on every place we came by, so relaxing and beautiful. But we had to move along and arrived at Pine Creek where we took the time to climb down to the riverbed. On top of the path you find the Pine Creek Boulder, a rock that the mudflow after the eruption of the vulcano placed there.
We continued our trip and suddenly after a bend in the road we had a clear view of the vulcano, wow, you suddenly become very quiet! A little further there was a viewpoint on Clear Water. Next stop was Bear Meaddow. Just before the eruption a few yougsters were taking pictures of the vulcano. They photographed the eruption and then had to run for their lives. There were beautiful little red flowers called Indian Paint Brush. then we went on to the National Vulcano Monument. There's a lovely view on the valley, but it's also surreal. The dead trees, really thousands. Some on the ground but some stood straigth up. In between there are new trees. Nice to see how the earth renews itself. There were lots of chip munks (a squirrel species) and seeing how I just can't resist any animal, they got part of my lunch. Next stop Metal Lake, there's no lake there anymore, just a small mudpool is left. In it is a car which was covered by the mudstream. It really is all about life and death you see there.
We arrived at Spirit Lake and really all you can say there is WOW! So grand, so beautiful, so spiritual and magical! At first you think that there's just sand in the deep, until you take a closer look and discover that at least one third of the lake is filled with dead trees. They came down due to the eruption, and 28 years later, they are still there. Down by the lake lived Harry Truman with his animals, an old hermit. By everone he was summoned to leave, but he didn't want to go; his life was there and if something should happen, it just was his time to check out!
Finally, we arrived at Windy Ridge. It's called that for a reason, it's windy and cold! Because of the clouds we couldn't see the top of the vulcano, but this also was very impressive! You'll have to climb a long way to get there though. At Smith Creek we picknicked, very cool, lucheon near a vulcano! Then we had to take a long drive around the vulcano, through a lovely area. Alll ancient woods! You really need an extra pair of eyes. Next stop was Elk Rock at 300 feet. You look out on the riverbed where the lavastream went through and we didn't see any elk (moose).
And then, finally, we arrived at the Johnston Ridge observatory, all fogged up and clouded, so we could hardly see the vulcano. We went inside first to see the movie, last showing of the day. In the meantime I practiced Reiki and kept repeating: "Please, I came such a long way, Please let me see at least a bit of the vulcano from up close!" The movie itself is very realistic and gives an impression of the area before, during and after the eruption. But when the movie ends and the curtains open there's Mount St Helens! In this case it would have been all clouds, but my Reiki worked and we at least saw some part of a vulcano! I was really exited, we didn't come out here on a limb. We hiked up the vulcano to some point and I took a few rocks with me and of course some vulcanic rocks, Proof! We sat up there for a while, just beeing quiet, you can't describe what this does to one. All I know is that it took a lot for me to leave. I surely hope to return one day and take a longer trip on the vulcano.
On our way back the sun began to shine so we had yet another view. Just before we left the vulcanic area we stopped over at Big Foot where there's an A-frame. The rest of the house is underground, covered by the vulcano! We had something to eat at a fastfood restaurant, and then we went home. We arrived there at 22.00 p.m. Tired but fullfilled. I had a superb day; finally saw "my" vulcano and better yet, I felt it!
Thursday, August 23rd, trip through the Cascade Mountains
Today Rob went home again. After a wonderful breakfast outdoors and a nice cup of tea, we took some more pictures. With that view you don't need anything else to be happy! We also took a picture of the three of us together and then said goodbye to Rob.
After the goodbye Brad and I took our things and left for our trip through the Cascade Mountains to Columbia River and Multhnomah Falls. But first the cascades, a wonderful rough area. You'll have to have a truck here or else you'll get stuck and there's no one to see for miles! And then you drive on a narrow road and through the trees you suddenly see Mount St. Helens. There's so much to see while on the road! We also saw some eagles, but they flew so fast I couldn't take a picture.
In a small village we had a bathroombreak and when I returned Brad took a picture of me. Some neighbourhood women were outside and they seemed to like me, so we chatted for a while and took a picture of us together. Then we arrived at the Columbia River, it is immense! It runs through 4 separate states and springs from the Canadian Rockies. On one side you have the river and on the other side you see a huge rockface where tunnels for trains and cars run through. By using bridges you can cross over to the state of Oregon. There you find the vulcano of Mount Hood. We could see it very well from where we were. The farther you cross into Oregon, the more rough the surrounding area gets.
We drove back on the Oregon side and we passed the Multhnomah Falls.It's a huge waterfall. I simply love waterfalls, but this really is a tourist attraction and I don't like that much. Still we went up to take some pictures. By the way, from here there are many hikes and much more waterfalls to see. So if you have time on your hands you could walk around for days. (I hope to do that sometimes, mainly in the fall with all his amazing colors). Further up there is a viewpoint with lovely views on the Columbia River. We went home via the highway so we woul'n't end up in a traffic jam. They are also immense here! As a desert, a beautiful sunset on the St. Helens, what else could one wish for? Me... nothing!
Friday, August 24th, visiting the city of Portland
Allready my last day in paradise, cry. But what a lovely day it was, 30 degrees and a clear blue sky!! Oh my... how I'm going to miss this view. A last walk around the property and at about noon Brad and I left for Portland. Well, I don't like cities at all, but Brad insisted that I had to have seen this and of course he works there as a police sergeant so, off we went! Portland is sited at the Willamette River that splits Portland in half; an old and a new part. First we took care of our inner selfs and had a terrific Salmon at Jakes, a famous restaurant that was established in 1892. After that, we crossed one of the many bridges and walked on the other bank. From that bank you have a lovely view of all the bridges and the skyline of Portland. We didn't visit the new part of Portland, a picture says it all. Really cool in the United States are the trains and an Amtrak just arrived. They still blow the horn every time they come into the station. I said to Brad "I find that such a cool sound". He gave me a strange look, because to them this is quite normal. So I explained to him that trains back home don't do that anymore, really a pity.
Half way to our destination we had a break and freshend up a little, then we went on our way again to the other side of the town where I met the previous mayor of Portland. Our next photo opportunity was an old fountain where they used to water the horses and now the people of Portland use it to get their dog a drink. I must say there are some beautiful buildings in Portland, at lesat beautiful enough to take pictures of. Allthough I'd rather see this building; a bit saloon-like, just as this narrow street in the older part of town. As far as people go, they resemble the people of Amsterdam, a bit exentric and to themselves. Before the trafficrush we went on our way home and from the bridge we had a lovely view of the vulcano.
Back at the property I took a refreshing dive in the swimmingpool and Brad took some pictures of me, I felt like a supermodel. After one last look and a last picture of Mount St. Helens it was time to have a meal. Steve, Brads partner, works as a landscaper and he had brought a co-worker with him, a very nice lady. We had a wonderful evening. Brad is a great cook. To me it's good to not live here permanently, I'd be fat in a matter of weeks!
Saturday, August 25th, unfortunately, my vacation in the U.S.A. has come to an end
At 5.30 a.m. my alarm went off, so time to get dressed and to go,sigh... I allready have a lump in my troat and it's hard to say goodbye, esspecially to Brad at the airport. I'm sure though I'll see him again. US Airways flew me back to The Netherlands and again I was lucky. During the second part of the flight I had two seats to myself so I could lay down and get some sleep. Luckily I woke up, just in time for a beautiful sunrise; wow, a real present and a nice welcome home! Later on, again it was wow when the sunrays came through the clouds over IJmuiden.
An eight day trip actually is far too short, because there's so much more to see and to do. But I'm gratefull that I at least had the chance to experience these eight days. I really hope to return some day!
See you next time....
Read on: Travel report America: Amboy - part 1 »
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