First, thank you to all who expressed concern over my recent illness. Although I still get tired very easily, I think I am almost well.
After all those days of being house-bound, Dave surprised me on Sunday by suggesting that we take a drive to Cougar, Washington, which is near the southern base of Mount Saint Helen's. We took along a picnic lunch and headed out around 10 am. We took the back way to Cougar which goes through Battle Ground and the tiny town of Amboy. This route passes several lakes that came about because of dams and power plants--Merwin Lake, Yale Lake, and Swift Reservoir. Cougar is also a very small town, but it's where mountain hikers can register. Cougar has a couple of campgrounds, both of which looked busy on this holiday weekend.
We continued on to Ape Cave, another busy place. We didn't tour the cave, but we walked up to the entrance of the cave and took pictures. Parking at Ape Cave is $5, or free for those of us with a National Parks Senior Pass. 
We then backtracked to Trail of Two Forests, a handicap-accessbile interpretive walk along a lava flow. This lava looked to be about 20,000 years old. The lava was covered with moss, however, you could still see the holes where massive trees had been uprooted.
We came home through Woodland, WA and after stopping at a car wash to wash away all the road dust, we got home around 3:30. Even though I needed to take a nap when we got home, we had a fun and satisfying outing!
This afternoon we were happy to receive a visit from fellow bloggers and RVers, Russ and Donna Krecklow. Donna writes a popular blog called Travels in 'Therapy'. They live in Eugene, Oregon, and travel in their Lazy Daze motorhome. The Krecklows are on their way to Glacier National Park, but tonight their motorhome is parked in our side driveway, and they and their dog, Poppy, are spending the first night of their trip on this side of the Columbia River. Thank you, Russ and Donna, for taking the time to come and visit us. We always enjoy talking with you, and thanks again for treating us to dinner at McMenamins on the Columbia River!
Donna and Russ
Your header photo is lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe LOVED Mount Saint Helen. They have done a marvelous job with all the visitor centers.
Aren't Russ and Donna two of the nicest people you have ever met. We were lucky enough to meet them and have lunch with them in Eugene. So glad they were able to meet us. Delightful couple.
Glad you are feeling better Carol. Your trip to Mount Saint Helen’s looks wonderful! How nice also to spend time with Donna and Russ.
ReplyDeleteJohn and Ellen
connectedtothevinephotography.blogspot.com
Now that was a wonderful place for a picnic lunch!
ReplyDeletegreat day trip, Carol..glad you are feeling better..how nice that Russ and Donna are camping in your driveway!!..sure hope they enjoy Glacier National Park as much as we did!!
ReplyDeleteAfter a great day like that a nap is always welcome. So happy to hear you are feeling better. Not feeling good is such a drag. And to have Russ and Donna as neighbors for the night has got to be fun.
ReplyDeleteSure would like to get up your way! The Pacific Northwest is where I spent my early childhood, and Suzy and I have spent a good deal of time in the area. Day drives from Benson, AZ, aren't quite the same as day drives where you are, but it's time for us to get out and see what we can see. NEXT SUMMER! That's when we'll be out and about again, God willing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day, we have never been up that way, need to put that on our list too. Glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteIts good to get outside for a change of scenery after you haven't been feeling well. Nice view at your picnic spot. Hope you continue to feel better.
ReplyDeleteSo you could just tell by looking that the lava was 20,000 years old?
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you are mending and getting back to yourself! I've been reading blogs on my phone and knew you had visitors and that they've had a bad time again... Good thing they at least got to have a great visit with you two! We are still unsure of our route when we leave from here. Big surprise, huh?
You know, in the back of my mind I almost expected you to come up here for the long weekend and surprise us since you haven't been up here! Glad you got out and went the "other" direction anyways!!