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| Mt Albert |
Minnesota Mining &
Manufacturing…NOT for me! It is Mystifying
Mountain Mirages and traveling around Oregon and Washington is good for these
images--a mountain top floating in the sky. Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Mount
Albert, and Mount Rainier--all beautiful and peaceful 3m’s. Curiosity got the best of me and I explored
two of them—Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood—although not mirages, they are
mystical and beautiful.
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| Mount St Helens |
Highlights of my Mount St Helen
visit included the Ape Caves and Windy Ridge. The Ape Caves, first explored in
1952 by a scout troop referred to as Mt St Helens Apes, are lava tubes created
by hot molten lava flowing underground 2,000 years ago leaving behind a 13,042’
hallow tube. If you have been following my
journey, you may recall other cave explorations (Lewis & Clark Caverns in
Montana and Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park in Nevada). However, this
cave experience was a little different as there was no guide...yes, I ventured
down into the Ape Caves alone. Why you ask? Not sure other than curiosity. Yes,
a little nerve-wrecking as it was pitch black but, no fear the cave was
inventoried by the USFS…
and I was prepared with my head
lamp, extra batteries and satellite spot tracker…
HA! What good is a satellite spot tracker
underground?
Anyway, there is something
mystical about climbing down into a cave alone with a flashlight not knowing
what will appear before you. It’s so dark even what one sees with the help of a
flashlight does not appear real. I did capture a few photos…click here to see pics.
Quick, do you remember where you
were May 18, 1980? Well, Volcanologist David Johnston transmitted his last
report that morning "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!" and Mount St
Helens blew an 80,000’ eruption column and the north face collapsed. A drive up
Windy Ridge brings about what I remember…video of ash thicker than clouds and
lava flowing and covering anything in its path and WOW…40 years later, mystical
vistas. Vistas where one can stand and imagine the blast…areas of
leveling, blown down trees, floating logs…amazing! Interesting to see beauty
where there once was terror and destruction.
The mystics of life…click here to take in some of the views.
And then there is Mount Hood; the
highest point in Oregon, another active volcano, the crown jewel of the
Columbia River Gorge and home to the historic Timberline Lodge. 
Quick…what movie included the
mysterious Timberline Lodge? Bwahaha…
A mystical place on Mount Hood is found at Romona Falls. A 7-mile hike pre-empted with spectacular views along the
Sandy River and Romona Creek culminating at Romana Falls...WOW, what magnificent mystical beauty! Click here for additional pictures of Ramona Falls hike and Mount Hood.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir
