Mt St. Helens, WA

We traveled next to Silverlake, WA, the town closest to Mt St. Helens. As we traveled south and a little east we were losing daylight. Over on the Olympic Peninsula, we could still see light at 10:15 in the evening. It was great...we actually felt like we had more hours in the day! Here in Silverlake it got dark about 9:30pm. We got in late, so took the next day to tour Mt. St. Helens and some of the scenery surrounding it. When we got to our campsite, Mark was most excited about the canal running right in back of our trailer. The campground bordered Silver Lake and had canals to the lake running all through it. Mark and the kids fished and finally caught something! Two big catfish that we promptly tossed back as soon as we got pictures.

The day touring Mt. St. Helens was really amazing. Though it is humbling seeing the devastation to the area, the rapid recovery is even more so. Its been 30 years this year, since the eruption, but the area has really come back as far as forestation and animal life. It was more barren at the National Monument as they didn't allow any replanting. At the Weyerhauser visitor center, we were told that their company planted over 18 million trees in the following six years after the eruption of the volcano. In such a short time, this landscape has been forever changed and is continuing to change. It makes 6000 years look like a very long time!

There is great information out there about what the Mt. St Helens eruptions can teach us about rapid destruction of an area due to catastrophe. This has made many scientists re-think their view on other formations (i.e. Grand Canyon-a little water over a lot of time, or a lot of water over a little time) Here is a link to find out more: www.answersingenesis.org/articles/wog/mount-st-helens
or
www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v6/i1/mtsthelens.asp

Also, enjoy the pictures!

Create a free digital slideshow

A surprise in the islands

We spent our weekend with Mark relaxing in the Cascades. We went back to Baker Lake, and spent time bike riding and fishing a little at the river. On Monday, we decided to travel to Anacortes and catch the ferry (no trailer this time) to the San Juan Islands. While waiting for our ferry, I heard someone call my name. An old friend, Cheryl Dykstra, from Oakhurst EVFree years ago, was sitting right there, waiting for the same ferry. As Micah would say,"A coincidence, I think not!" I had promised Peggy Cunningham before I left, I would try to see Cheryl if i could, but we hadn't been able to get on the ferry over to Whidby Island where Cheryl lives. So we figured...next visit...as I'm saying about a few friends already. God makes our world very small when you are connected by a family of believers. We had a nice visit with Cheryl and met her friend, Dave.
Our family had a lovely time riding the ferry over. It was an overcast, cold day and I was disappointed as I'd really tried to schedule according to sunny weather. But rather than have a grumpy attitude about it, I just asked God if He wouldn't mind bringing the sun out when we were at San Juan Island. Guess what? Just as our ferry ride was ending, the sun came out for the rest of the day. Isn't God wonderful to care about our little concerns as well as our big?
We spent the afternoon touring around the island in museums and just sitting at the harbor and looking at the spectacular view. I can see why my parents keep returning to this place. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Cheryl on our way back also, but enjoyed our time visiting with her on the ferry over. What a relaxing beautiful day. I recommend it for anyone wanting a perfect day...head over to these islands.

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox

Over the river and through the fields....to the Cascades we go

"Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord. For He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth." Ps. 96:12-13
The area of Washington we are now staying puts me in mind of these verses. There are deep woods surrounding open fields of farm or ranch land. All of this is surrounded by the Cascade mountain range. Everything is so lush and green--something a Californian appreciates. The fields are overflowing with Shasta daisies, lupine, poppies and wild foxglove. There are rivers and lakes every direction we travel. Our campsite is forested and very quiet. The kids and I are having some days of quiet and rest before Mark arrives.
We traveled into Cascades National park one day. Another, we ventured down to Baker Lake and stood under the shadow of Baker mountain. All the other days, we road bikes around the area and rested in our quiet campground, playing in the creek that runs along the boundary. We tried to explore a few fishing spots for Mark on the Baker and Skagit Rivers.

This photo album made with Smilebox

We finally traveled to Bellingham to pick him up from the small airport there. We toured Whatcom Falls Park and headed to the marina where we watched boats launch in to the Puget Sound for the opening of crab season. The weather was a sunny 74 degrees. It was good to have Mark back with us for a few days of adventure before we packed up and left Washington. I hope you enjoy some of our pictures! (I couldn't fit them on one slideshow, so there are two here)

This free scrapbook personalized with Smilebox