Oregon — to Bob and Mary's — and the Mountains!

But first we had to stop near Coos Bay Oregon to visit several small Oregon State Parks to see if I could find what I remember as the "prettiest camp site ever" from our family camping trip in 1964 or 65.  Could not find it but but sure saw a lot of seals and rocky coast.

Bob and cousin Mary live in Lake Oswego, a suburb of Portland, OR, and they are great hosts. We enjoyed our visit and time with them very much.   

Across the state line in Washington is Mount Saint Helens. What a mess that volcano made of the forest and landscape in 1980. The top of the mountain is still gone and the blast zone — looking across for seven miles of it below is just beginning to be reclaimed by nature. There are some small trees and brush returning but an awful lot of dirt and rocks appear to be the main feature of the landscape.

Talk about "wow" sites. This is certainly one of those.  

Bob and Mary took us on a hike for a mile or so along a trail leading out to a point overlooking the valley into the Toutle River which flows from the ice fields on the mountain. 

Patt was glad when we turned back.

Some of the blown down trees from the blast of the volcano are still visible. Closer to the volcano the trees were just obliterated by the force of the blast.

Often in the Great Northwest where Oregon and Washington reside, the sky is not known for being blue as it was when we visited Mt St Helens. With the promise of a partially cloudy sky the four of us went the following day a little south and west of Portland to Mt Hood, another volcano mountain.  Arrival at the mountain did not disappoint with regard to to the partial cloudy part.  

Fortunately we got a break in the weather as did the skiers of whom the US Olympic snowboard team benefits as they train here. There is year round skiing and Bob and Mary skied just the day before we arrived. June skiing ,Mark!  

From 30+ miles away, the top of the mountain continues to generate cloud cover but the day cleared off nicely. And got warmer. In Sacramento we had 100 plus degree weather, in Lake Oswego, we had 50 plus degree weather.

Along the Columbia River Gorge, we stopped by Multnomah Falls and climbed to the top.

It is a climb of some 2000 feet elevation gain as that is the drop of the falls. And quite steep in places.  The trail is one of continuous switchbacks. And I should mention that it makes you breathe hard - or at least did me.