Saturday - July 11

Cloudy and cool all day.....we had breakfast and then off in Big Red to see Mount St. Helens (1 hr. 15 min drive, but with some stops, took us 2 hours thru winding mountainous roads).    Another very scenic route in gorgeous Washington State.

So.........on May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted causing 57 deaths, and the loss of 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles of railways, 185 miles of highways, thousands of animals and millions of trees.    40 years later, all is very lush and green with signs here and there telling when new seedlings were planted, when they were fertilized and when they will be harvested.

The Johnston Observatory is where we walked to get the best views - the visitor's center and building were closed but the views were incredible.

                                                                     Along the drive....

The Hoffstadt Creek Bridge

Some of the crowd at the Observatory

Pretty wildflowers were everywhere, especially the white daisies

The debris still here after 40 years

Mt. St. Helens

Pat and the big mountain

Really glad we got to see this and just awestruck at the devastation caused, but 40 years later....

We picked up Panera for late lunch and on back to Flo.    I did 2 loads of laundry and then we settled in for the night - few sprinkles but more coming overnight,

Connor is taking it easy today - wrist is hurting and keeping it elevated.   

Leaving the hospital early this morning.....Anne and Connor didn't get home till 1 AM.

Wishing Connor happy, quick healing and recovery!!!