What A Difference 32 Years Makes

This weekend, we took a trip to Mt. St. Helens. 

I have memories of visiting, shortly after she erupted. I remember devastation of the land. I remember having a mason jar or two of pumis like volcanic rock in my closet as a child (side note: volcanic rock makes good sidewalk chalk). I remember having a view through two trees in our backyard of the volcano and I remember spending alot of time looking at her. Mostly I would look out of curiosity, would she blow again? Also, I remember pulling a Babe Ruth a couple times playing ball. Aiming at the far off volcano at bat. Just in case you are wondering, I never hit a ball that far.. but I tried many times. 

 The volcano is much the same but the land around it has bounced back in many ways. It was beautiful. 

 We took the kids on a pretty long hike as usual and they were troopers once again. We were at a high elevation, it was horribly hot and the grasses were high. We did it, and I am so proud of the kiddos. 

 We hiked in lots of wide flowers and saw different dragonflies and butterflies at every turn. Grasshoppers, frogs, snakes, beaver dams, water lilies, berries... life has returned. 

 My two and me with St. Helens in the background. We started our hike early so the clouds hadn't burned off yet. 

 more wildflowers along the trail. 

 About a mile left. The grasses hit Fieldin right at head height for parts of the hike so Jeff would lift him up. 

 major troopers. We went through a pack of water and snacks quickly on this one. Also, breaks where we could find shade were taken more and more as it got hotter. 

We spent most of the day at St. Helens. We ended the day at the visitors center at the top. This view is from there on a trail a mile or so from the center. 

Today we are home and tired. I am sunburned but the others avoided it luckily. Greta and Fieldin can add Mt. St. Helens to their Jr. Ranger list and Greta is also now a Jr. geologist. They asked me to sew them little hiking bags for their collection of patches and pins from this summer. Very good idea. Good job you guys.