Road Trip - Mt. St. Helens

We finally crossed the Oregon/Washington border and headed for Mt. St. Helens. Originally we had planned on just driving through, but we had an extra day so decided to stay near the park and spend some more time. The first day we drove up to check things out, but clouds and storms were covering the top of the mountain so thick that we could only see the bottom third or so of the volcano. It was a bit of a bummer, but we found out about a lava flow canyon with a river running through it and decided to check it out. 

Lava Canyon is a beautiful river bed that, until the eruption of 1980, was largely undiscovered. When the eruption occurred a heavy lava flow of silt, rocks, and water came down the side of the mountain and wiped out all the trees in the river bed, exposing a canyon cut out of the rock with a beautiful glacial stream running through it. 

The river running through the lava rock

Lacey on the suspension bridge with her fake "I'm scared of this bridge" smile

Me on the same suspension bridge, a little different reaction

The waterfall area of the lava canyon river

A slightly longer shutter speed for that "soft water" effect (I'm learning a bit about photography on this trip)

After lava canyon we drove to Ape Cave. We really had no idea what it was until arriving at the visitor center there, but learned that it is a 13,000+ foot lava tube that was created as hot lava flowed from the volcano and solidified on top due to contact with the air. As the lava flowed out of the interior towards lower ground it left a large cylindrical cave that can be explored by tourists like us on a self-guided tour. The cave has no installed lights, and believe me, it's freakin' dark down there when you turn the head lamps off.

We camped that night at Cougar Park on Yale Lake (actually a reservoir ran by PacifiCorp Energy). The campground was nice and our site near the lake was beautiful.

Our tent, hanging out by the lake

Yale Lake at sunset

The next day we got up, packed up camp, and headed up the road towards Mt. Rainier with, fortunately, some great views of the now cloudless Mt. St. Helens. The only bad news was that the road to an area where you can view the eruption site was closed because of snow. It'll have to wait until next time I guess :)

Lacey at a great Mt. St. Helens overlook area

Another self portrait

 

A very wide panoramic view of the volcano/mountain and surrounding stuff

Road Trip - Canyonlands to Capitol Reef

Yesterday evening we left Moab, UT with no campsite and expecting to sleep in the car. You can understand, then, how excited we were to run into Horsethief Campground only a few miles outside Canyonlands National Park. The campground was great, the tent pad was soft, and the sunset was beautiful. We were also happy to have a relatively wind-free night where we could take things out of the car, get organized, and re-pack her for the next couple days.

The night was so awesome that we were able to sleep without the tent sash under the stars, and, unfortunately, a nearly full moon that made it a bit bright. Anyway, it was a great night with an excellent fire to re-charge our batteries for today.

We got up early this morning and packed up camp to head into Canyonlands National Park. The park has three distinct regions, and 85% of the park is backcountry accessed by hiking or 4x4 vehicles, so it is not the best in a packed-down Honda Fit with only a day to burn. So, we did the next best thing and hit the viewpoints and short hikes. The park is beautiful and has some enormous views, but I wouldn't have to go again. 

Lacey and I at one of many great overlooks

Grand View Point

Upheaval Dome

 Mesa Arch

After leaving Canyonlands we made our way West through Green River, Hanksville, and on to Bicknell where we are staying at the Aquarius Inn. It is, hmmm, okay. The room is clean, but the shower is out of control. I've never seen such an abundance of water come out of every hole in a shower. You turn it on, pull the shower knob, and it starts busting water at you like crazy while still flowing uncontrollably from the bath spout. After a minute you are standing in shin-deep water. I shouldn't complain, though, because I am much cleaner than when I got here.

We had dinner at the Sunglow Cafe, which is apparently famous for it's pickle pie? We didn't venture that far, but otherwise it was a good meal. Tomorrow we meet Joey and Megan Wanzek at Capitol Reef for a couple nights. We are very excited to see some more friends!

Road Trip - Black Canyon of the Gunnison

After a relaxing time in Denver we headed up Interstate 70 for a night with Alyssa in Frisco, CO. We spent some time drinking beers, I found out I didn't get my fellowship, and then we got some more food and more beers. As usual, any stop in a town came with showers and laundry :)

The next morning we headed out en route to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Black Canyon is the fourth newest of the national parks, but has been a national monument since the early 1900's. It is pretty spectacular how quickly this canyon drops to the river floor and how sheer the cliffs are. I don't know if I'd spend more than the two days we spent there, but it was definitely an amazing site and a great time with Alyssa and Scott. We didn't get a chance to hike down too far into the canyon because it is apparently pretty grueling, but the scenic vistas and small crowds were great!

Oh yeah, and we saw one of the best sunsets we've ever seen. I'm not sure this picture does it justice, but Lacey did a great job documenting the event!

After a couple nights in Gunnison and saying goodbye to Alyssa and Scott for now, we headed off to Telluride for a night before entering the hot deserts of Utah :(