Happy Fourth of July everyone.  We went to see Mt. St. Helens for the fourth.  It is roughly 100 miles north of Richard and Anne's place.  Here we go down the farm's driveway.

We went through Portland

Our first sighting of Mt. St. Helens

This is Silver Lake with Mt. St. Helens in the background

Richard, Anne, and Me at the Visitor Center for the State of Washington, Mt. St. Helens

More pictures of Mt. St. Helens at various locations along the route to the Johnson Bridge Visitor Center.

The two of us with Mt. St. Helens in the background

Richard, Anne and me with Mt. St. Helens in background.

Mt. St. Helens didn't blow through its top -  the top was too hard so it started to bulge toward the north side.  When it erupted it blew out the side with mud, water, rock and molten lava.

Inside the north side of the volcano.  If you can see the bulge in the middle, that will be the next thing to blow.  Several weeks ago, it was very active and has increased in size.  In recent weeks, it has quieted down.

Bernie, Richard and Anne with Mt. St. Helens in background.

The Toutle River's course changed after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens.  Here are some pictures of the river.

When the mountain erupted it blew out the side knocking over hugh trees for miles, the steam and heat also burned and scorched standing trees.  The downed trees can still be seen.

This is volcanic ash.

There was a lake, Spirit lake.  A gentleman, Harry Truman, 84, had lived at his lodge for 50 years and when he was told he had to evacuate, he refused.  After the eruption, his Spirit lake was raised several hundreds of feet and he and the lodge were buried forever.  The eruption also caused the formation of new lakes, Castle Lake and Coldwater Lake.

Spirit Lake

Castle Lake

and Coldwater Lake and yes, the water was very cold.  It was 3 miles long and a mile wide.  There was snow at the federal visitor center.

It was really an amazing day.  Thanks Richard and Anne for taking us.