Pacific Northwest {part 2}

We left Kalaloch and headed into the Hoh Rainforest. 

 

We made a stop at Crescent Lake.  It was the most beautiful lake I have ever seen.  Created by glaciers, it was so clear you could see the bottom.

 

We arrived at the Hoh Rainforest and hiked through the old growth forest

 

An Elk paid us a visit in our campground

 

Checking out the Sitka Spruce

 

Next we headed to the Hoh River for some white water rafting.  Just look at the majestic RV gleaming in the background.

 

On the river

 

What professionals

 

The gang

 

Back into the Hoh for another magical hike

 

We continued on to Mt Rainier National Park and my teaching days

 

Doing a historical hike

 

The mountains made me dance

 

and jump

 

The wildflowers were amazing

 

Hiking to Panorama Point

 

No we didn't hit a marmot, it chose to nap under our RV

 

"the mountains are calling and I must go"

 

Adios, Mt Rainier

 

 

Our next stop was Mt St Helens.  We stayed at this awesome science and learning center.  It faced the mountain and offered amazing views

 

We camped out in this big room

 

We attempted to sleep out under the stars on the deck.  The mosquitoes had the same idea.

 

Mt St Helens

 

Listening to our dear prof

 

Amazing wildflowers

 

We were trying to figure out what bird we saw

 

Our final adventure at Mt St. Helens was a helicopter ride.  If you know me at all, you know I am terrified of flying.  The thought of getting into a helicopter and flying into the crater of a volcano is pretty much my worst nightmare.

 

Yes, i was crying here but I put on my big girl pants and did it.  I didn't want to explain to the boys that their mom was too scared to take this opportunity.

 

off we went

 

Inside the crater of the volcano

 

Totally scared out of my mind.

 

These trees are still in the lake from the 1980 eruption

 

Heading back to the LZ

 

In the valley we saw herds of elk

 

This trip was not all fun and games.  We were learning and studying from sun up to sun down.  Here we are at 11pm taking a test on Mt St Helens

 

Our last stop (and my least favorite) was the High Desert in Bend, OR.  I had no idea that most of Oregon was a desert.  This is not a landscape that I am particularly fond of.

 

The desert culture was interesting.  I enjoyed the Native American aspect of Bend

 

After the High Desert we turned around and headed back to Seattle.  It was an amazing two weeks but I was ready to see my family again.  Definitely a once in a life time trip. 

 

 

Look what was waiting for me when I got home.  My very own "welcome home" party.  Boy, was I happy to be home.