Mt. St. Helens, +30

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Mt. St. Helens eruption.  Two days ago we went on a long-delayed revisit to the area.  We'd been there quite a few times when we lived here ten years ago, but since we got back in 2007, a return trip kept getting pushed further and further back.  So when the Johnston Ridge station opened for the season the other day, we finally packed TGA in the car and trekked the 3 hours down to the volcano.

And I have to say, I was completely taken back by the new growth and recovery of the entire area, compared to 10 years ago.  Before, it was still very easy to see the effects of the blast, as whole square miles of ripped tree stumps still dotted the landscape with furious frequency.  Now, although the moonscape that lies at the base of the volcano looks unchanged, it is much harder to see the ruins of the old forest.  A new forest is already taking hold and doing an effective job of hiding the evidence from the eruption.  A lot has been made of this recovery, but I've seen it with my own eyes.  Mt. St. Helens has significantly changed in the past ten years.  Although I can't show it to you (I didn't take enough pictures -- can you believe I let my battery die out??), the links I've included are to the National Geographic Society's pages, and do a much better justice than anything I could give you here.

If you've never gone, and are in the area, take the time to visit and learn about Mt. St. Helens.  It is absolutely worth your time, and an experience you will certainly never forget.