Sounds like a great horror movie, doesn’t it? Or maybe one already exists by that name. Anyway, we learned about volcanoes this summer so while in WA we went to Mt. St. Helens! I was amazed at the growth that has occurred in the 30 years since it blew. Weyerhaeuser has been busy! I first saw it only a few years after the eruption and I remember it as being a moonscape. It was so desolate and depressing. I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of those who chose to stay, though warned to leave, like Harry Truman or those who drove away chased by the pyroclastic cloud or the couple who was saved just by hiding behind a tree. I think part of my fascination came from growing up next to Mt. Rainier, also an active volcano. It was fun to pass on the fascination to the boys.
Before we went to Washington we made our own volcanoes.
We made a bigger one in the back yard with Mentos and a two liter of Coke that went super high, but due to a camera malfunction we couldn’t catch it on film. You’ll just have to take my word for it. It was COOL.
Levi also made this cute Lego Volcano. 
Here’s the real deal. 
Before and After
We got to watch an amazing video that showed what it would have felt like to BE the pyroclastic cloud as it blew down the mountain knocking over everything in it’s path. The boys loved it.
Sarin and Liberty had a good time on the way back. 
Thank goodness for BK on road trips.
Then, driving through Portland on the way back home to Idaho, we got to see another volcano ! Who knows the name of this one? 
Clue: its name is part of a car.
And then just yesterday Mt. Fuego erupted in Guatemala. The boys were really excited about that. The 33,000 people who had to evacuate were not. 
I always worry that Mt. Rainier or “Mountain Rear” as I called it when I was little, will blow someday. I would be so sad.
I’ve been looking at this view my whole life! It is one of my happy places; a stalwart, fixed, immovable friend. What a beautiful gift God gave us in mountains. And what a magnificent example of his majesty and power.
Short n Sweet 
Oh how I love the Mountains and the rolling hills! The picture of everyone who went to Mt. St. Helens is really good. Like calendar good! Though Libby and Dad have the same expression.
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