June 5, 2014 (pictures below)


We are in Woodland, WA just over the border from Oregon.   We spent yesterday traveling to Gresham, OR to visit my Aunt Juilet who will soon be 100 and her son Carl.   I could not get over how much she looks like my mother.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Sitting and talking about old times was like spending the afternoon with my mother.  My aunt is in good health other than her eyes and had not problem remembering the times we spent together when we were younger.  We had a wonderful day with her. 


Today we went to Mt. St. Helens, what an awesome experience.  We watched a movie about that fateful day and saw landscape that showed just how devastating the eruption was.  Although the blast extended out 26 miles, companies have come together to help rebuild the forest.  In 34 years they have done a great job.  The blast sight closer to the mountain they are letting the foliage and trees build naturally.   The mud and the ash have carved new rivers in the valley below and this is very evident even today.  We were amazed to learn that up to the day of the blast that the volcano experienced 10,000 earthquakes in 7 weeks.  We have seen pictures of Mt. St. Helens but nothing matches to seeing this active volcano in person. 


Tomorrow we are traveling to Astoria, OR as we are big Goonie fans.


Much love,
Jim and Debbie