We wake to rain again this morning and according to the weather reports it will rain all weekend. :0(
Managed to get the oil changed and tires rotated on the truck. Which almost made me late for my chiropractor appt. I feel so much better after my adjustment. On to lunch at Popeye's Chicken. This is probably my last chance to have it for awhile. They are getting harder to find. Afterwards we went to Camping World we needed a few things for the fifth wheel hitch. It is still raining off and on. Back to the park I went right to sleep. My back adjustment made me very tired. It was still raining when I woke up. I decided not to go with Joe to the races. Good thing because after he sat at the track for over an hour in the rain they finally canceled it. He came back to the park and found a Casino that had a classic rock band playing tonight. So that is where he is at. I had no desire to go to a smoke filled bar in the rain to watch a band. I just got a text from him, the band is really good but the bar is extremely smoky, he is not sure how much longer he is going to last.
I am just going to settle back and watch a movie, Snow Dogs, with Cuba Gooding JR. It is still pouring outside, hopefully it will end soon!!!!!!!!!
Friday, June 27, 2014
Skagit Speedway (6/26)
Thursday morning we woke to pouring rain. We had to get packed up and on the road early. We would be driving around Seattle all the way to Burlington, about 70 miles from Seattle and 70 miles in the other direction from Canada. It rained off and on all the way there. We discovered the hard way that there are no truck stops or rest areas on the route we took. After a 150 miles I was getting pretty desperate. I finally go Joe to take an off ramp that didn't have construction on it, hard to find as there was hwy construction everywhere. We managed to find a Fred Meyer's, what a relief for me. Joe stressed trying to drive our big rig in their small parking lot. He did a really good job. I now have a rest stop and truck finder app on my phone. Hopefully it will help when we need it.
Once we reach Burlington and the KOA and get set up we are starving. It is almost 2 pm. The office recommended Bob's Burger and Brews just down the road. She was right the food was very good and satisfying. Back to the park and I try to make an chiropractor appt, but my phone doesn't get good reception so we have to get back in the truck and drive down the road until I have reception. Finally I was able to get an appt. My back has really been hurting for the last week. Not bad since I haven't seen a chiropractor since April 25. I usually go two to three times a month. I think I am building by muscles up so it is holding better. Joe was also able to set up an appt. to have the oil changed on the truck. I took a short nap before heading to Skagit Speedway for the first of three nights of racing. The rain has stopped and there is actually some sunshine.
This track is a lot different than we are used to. The first thing we encounter is parking, they park you bumper to bumper, no way to get out if you need to leave early and you hope that that people around you don't decide to go into the pits and stay late. We have never been to any event that parks this way. The second thing is you have to go to the beer garden to drink beer. You are not allowed to take it out past a certain point. As it worked out the area we finally decided to sit in so we could drink our beer was the best place to see the whole track. This track is big, wide and fast. Not to mention dusty. I learned from the Medford track to keep a sheet of paper handy to cover my face. After the first couple of heat races I looked at my beer and it was full of dirt. It was almost gone anyway so I let Joe finish what he could without drinking the dirt. The racing itself was very good. A little long. The heat races were over by 8:45 but they didn't start the last Main until 10. So it was a really long intermission and the crowd was getting rowdy!
They race hard here and they crash hard!! Several cartwheels from several cars, thank goodness no one was hurt.
We actually got out of the parking lot pretty quick. The truck in front of us was one that the owner stayed later, but we were able to go around it once the cars next to us pulled out. They had an officer directing traffic so you could get out quickly and didn't have to wait on oncoming traffic. All in all a good night.
Once we reach Burlington and the KOA and get set up we are starving. It is almost 2 pm. The office recommended Bob's Burger and Brews just down the road. She was right the food was very good and satisfying. Back to the park and I try to make an chiropractor appt, but my phone doesn't get good reception so we have to get back in the truck and drive down the road until I have reception. Finally I was able to get an appt. My back has really been hurting for the last week. Not bad since I haven't seen a chiropractor since April 25. I usually go two to three times a month. I think I am building by muscles up so it is holding better. Joe was also able to set up an appt. to have the oil changed on the truck. I took a short nap before heading to Skagit Speedway for the first of three nights of racing. The rain has stopped and there is actually some sunshine.
This track is a lot different than we are used to. The first thing we encounter is parking, they park you bumper to bumper, no way to get out if you need to leave early and you hope that that people around you don't decide to go into the pits and stay late. We have never been to any event that parks this way. The second thing is you have to go to the beer garden to drink beer. You are not allowed to take it out past a certain point. As it worked out the area we finally decided to sit in so we could drink our beer was the best place to see the whole track. This track is big, wide and fast. Not to mention dusty. I learned from the Medford track to keep a sheet of paper handy to cover my face. After the first couple of heat races I looked at my beer and it was full of dirt. It was almost gone anyway so I let Joe finish what he could without drinking the dirt. The racing itself was very good. A little long. The heat races were over by 8:45 but they didn't start the last Main until 10. So it was a really long intermission and the crowd was getting rowdy!
They race hard here and they crash hard!! Several cartwheels from several cars, thank goodness no one was hurt.
We actually got out of the parking lot pretty quick. The truck in front of us was one that the owner stayed later, but we were able to go around it once the cars next to us pulled out. They had an officer directing traffic so you could get out quickly and didn't have to wait on oncoming traffic. All in all a good night.
Lava Caves (6/25)
Wednesday we drove around to the south entrance of Mt St Helen's to the Ape Caves, which are really lava caves. There is an upper cave and a lower cave. The lower cave is .75 miles long and the upper cave is 1.5 miles long. Once you climb down into the entrance it becomes very dark very quickly. The recommend each person have two sources of light. We had three between us. Once you climb down some stairs you are at a junction go behind the stairs for the upper cave and in front of them for the lower caves. Since we didn't know what to expect we decided to start with the lower caves. It is a constant 42 degrees in these caves and very wet. I had to put my hood of my jacket up to keep very cold water from dripping down my neck.
Even with my head lamp on and a flash light it was hard to see where you are going. There are a lot of rocks on the floor and boulders you have to climb around. Along the side of the cave is what they call the railroad tracks. When you shine your light down the tube you can see why they are called that. The tubes are a little more than two people wide in this area, and much wider in other parts.
The other feature of this cave is called the meatball. You have what looks like railroad tracks above your head and you have to look for the round rock that is stuck between then. By some miracle I managed to find it. I guess I looked up at the right time.
Once you get to the back of the cave the ceiling gets lower and lower until you would need to crawl on you belly to go any further.
After lunch we continued on down the trail. You can clearly hear the waterfall but you can't see it from the trail, then you get to the suspension bridge, YIKES!!!!! It bounces and sways as you walk across it. I made Joe promise he wouldn't shake it.
The view between the slats on the bridge!
Once across we went down another trail that was about a foot wide with a very steep drop offs down to the river. I couldn't believe I was the one to suggest we go down it. I could hear a water fall and wanted to see it.
Once back to the bridge we continued up the trail to another waterfall. Oregon and Washington is truly a land of waterfalls. They are every where. That is what happens when it rains all the time!
This waterfall was right below where we ate lunch!
This rock formation was kind of cool! Kind of looks like picket post.
View of Mt St Helen from the southern side. You would never know it blew from this side except for the areas where a 15 ft of mud and water scoured the canyon. This allowed many old lava flows to be discovered that were never seen before. Like the one we ate lunch on. Kind of cool!!!
 |
| Map of the caves |
Even with my head lamp on and a flash light it was hard to see where you are going. There are a lot of rocks on the floor and boulders you have to climb around. Along the side of the cave is what they call the railroad tracks. When you shine your light down the tube you can see why they are called that. The tubes are a little more than two people wide in this area, and much wider in other parts.
 |
| Railroad tracks |
The other feature of this cave is called the meatball. You have what looks like railroad tracks above your head and you have to look for the round rock that is stuck between then. By some miracle I managed to find it. I guess I looked up at the right time.Once you get to the back of the cave the ceiling gets lower and lower until you would need to crawl on you belly to go any further.
By the time we were back out we were freezing and wet but had a great time. It was time for lunch so we decided not to do the upper cave. Instead we went to Lava Canyon. The Lava Canyon trail explores an area that was hit by the May 18th 1980 eruption of Mt St Helen. We did the 1 1/4 mile loop hike that includes a very scary (for me) suspension bridge above the very rapid flow of the river. This trail has big drop offs and several waterfalls. Once across the first little bridge we found a place on top of a lava flow to eat lunch.
After lunch we continued on down the trail. You can clearly hear the waterfall but you can't see it from the trail, then you get to the suspension bridge, YIKES!!!!! It bounces and sways as you walk across it. I made Joe promise he wouldn't shake it.
The view between the slats on the bridge!
Once across we went down another trail that was about a foot wide with a very steep drop offs down to the river. I couldn't believe I was the one to suggest we go down it. I could hear a water fall and wanted to see it.
Once back to the bridge we continued up the trail to another waterfall. Oregon and Washington is truly a land of waterfalls. They are every where. That is what happens when it rains all the time!This waterfall was right below where we ate lunch!
This rock formation was kind of cool! Kind of looks like picket post.
View of Mt St Helen from the southern side. You would never know it blew from this side except for the areas where a 15 ft of mud and water scoured the canyon. This allowed many old lava flows to be discovered that were never seen before. Like the one we ate lunch on. Kind of cool!!!Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Tuesday, rain again!
Slept late this morning after a restless night. I just couldn't relax, my body was to tired!! Could hear it rain off and on all night and it continued into this morning. By the time we took showers and got ready to face the day it had stopped, but it was still a gloomy day. A good day for a movie. Lunch was in order first. We went to downtown Longview to a little deli Joe had read about on line that had rave reviews. Country Folks Deli lives up to it's rave reviews. I had a turkey/cranberry with cream cheese sandwich on sourdough bread, delicious. Joe had a huge club sandwich with homemade fries. Of course I had to help him with the fries! He enjoyed his club sandwich as much as I did my turkey sandwich. We were so full after all that food, we we took a walk around down town. We were suppose to go to a 1:30 showing of How to Train Your Dragon 2, but didn't make it. Changed our plans to go to the 4:30 showing. I was able to lay down and take a much needed nap. By 4:00 Joe had to wake me up. We were both still pretty full from lunch so no dinner tonight.
We got to the movie theater and it was pretty empty. The theater we were in was only about 1/4 full. If you haven't seen this movie then I highly recommend you see it. I liked it just as much as I did the first one.
Back home to relax and maybe watch another movie. Joe went for a walk trying to walk off lunch.
We haven't decided what we will do tomorrow, may drive over to the southern entrance to Mt St Helen's to the APE caves. The caves are lava tubes that go for about 2 miles. Sounds interesting. At one point you have to climb over a 8 ft wall. Yikes!!!!!!!!
We got to the movie theater and it was pretty empty. The theater we were in was only about 1/4 full. If you haven't seen this movie then I highly recommend you see it. I liked it just as much as I did the first one.
Back home to relax and maybe watch another movie. Joe went for a walk trying to walk off lunch.
We haven't decided what we will do tomorrow, may drive over to the southern entrance to Mt St Helen's to the APE caves. The caves are lava tubes that go for about 2 miles. Sounds interesting. At one point you have to climb over a 8 ft wall. Yikes!!!!!!!!
Mt St Helen's
May 18th,1980 Mt St Helen's erupted spreading ash and causing may catastrophes. Many people lost their lives with this eruption. In June of 1982 I was able to visit Mt St Helen's, which was still active. The kid's and I went to Washington to visit my brother and he took us to see the mountain. Here are some pictures of this day 31 years ago.
Monday we journeyed to Mt St Helen's about the same time as the above pictures were taken, 31 years ago. I was in awe at how much of the area has recovered in the years since I first visited this area. We went to hike to Clearwater Peak. This is a 12.2 mile hike that gives you the best view's of Mt St Helen. You can still see some of the devastation that occurred. The hike was rated as difficult but really only the last mile or so is difficult, mainly because of the trail climbs at this point. There is a total of a 2000 ft elevation gain. The trail starts at the Johnston Ridge Visitor center. The first part is paved then turns to dirt. Actually the trail is very well groomed and wide making hiking it easy. At least most of it is wide, there a a few places that give you pause. They are maybe one foot wide and with big drop off's that you have to be careful with.
I was a little shaky going across this area not only is the trail narrow and straight down but is also slopped a little. Once around this area everything opens up and it is spectacular. Words are hard for me to find to tell this story so I am going to let the pictures do it for me. It was a little emotional journey for me to see it now and compare it to what I saw 31 years ago.
The mountain is quite now but could become active again anytime. You can see two bulges in the middle, one grew from 2004 to 2008 but has now stopped growing. I would hate to see this area destroyed again but Mother Nature has it's own way of doing things.
To use someone's else's words, pictures do not do it justice all you can do is just stand in the middle of it and take it it's beauty!!!!!
Monday we journeyed to Mt St Helen's about the same time as the above pictures were taken, 31 years ago. I was in awe at how much of the area has recovered in the years since I first visited this area. We went to hike to Clearwater Peak. This is a 12.2 mile hike that gives you the best view's of Mt St Helen. You can still see some of the devastation that occurred. The hike was rated as difficult but really only the last mile or so is difficult, mainly because of the trail climbs at this point. There is a total of a 2000 ft elevation gain. The trail starts at the Johnston Ridge Visitor center. The first part is paved then turns to dirt. Actually the trail is very well groomed and wide making hiking it easy. At least most of it is wide, there a a few places that give you pause. They are maybe one foot wide and with big drop off's that you have to be careful with.
 |
| Spirit Lake |
 |
| Mt St Helen Lake, still with log jams |
The mountain is quite now but could become active again anytime. You can see two bulges in the middle, one grew from 2004 to 2008 but has now stopped growing. I would hate to see this area destroyed again but Mother Nature has it's own way of doing things.
To use someone's else's words, pictures do not do it justice all you can do is just stand in the middle of it and take it it's beauty!!!!!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Castles in the sand (6/21)
We are driving to the coast today, Canon Beach to be exact. It is a beautiful drive to the coast. We are beginning to think everyone had the same idea. There is a long line of traffic. It takes longer to reach Canon Beach than we thought it would. The reason for the traffic became evident just out side of Canon Beach, they were having their 50 annual sandcastle building contest. We got there just in time for the start of the event. We have never been to a sandcastle building contest before.
What fun to watch the masters get set up. The masters were allowed to start at 10:30, all other divisions start at 11:00. Besides the masters they have a juniors, the sand flees, these are the really young kids, then the teen division and the small and large divisions.
The masters have all the trick forms and tools, including a home made stair stepper that pumped water to a hose with a sprayer on it.
This is used to keep the sand damp while sculpting. The designs all were pretty cool. While they worked we went into town for lunch. We both had really scrumptious grilled cheese sandwiches made on sourdough bread with white and yellow Tillamook cheddar cheese. After lunch we walked around town and I went into the candy store for some good old fashioned taffy, yum!
Time to go back to the competition. Most have made a lot of progress, some still had a long way to go. It was amazing to watch now they worked the sand, from the young kids to the masters, the were serious about what they were doing.
These are all the divisions mixed together!
Below are the Masters division
Unfortunately we were not able to stay for the judging. Joe wanted to get back to go to the races, I decided to opt out of the races. The ocean and fresh air wiped me out and they were running 9 divisions and I knew it would be a long night.
Sunday morning we once again on the road again. Our destination for this week is Mt St Helen's. We are staying in Kelso WA at the Brookhollow rv park. Very nice park, close to Mt St Helen's. Once we park and set up it is the time we dislike the most, we need to do laundry and do our grocery shopping.
Before we know it is 9 pm and still daylight outside, it doesn't get dark until 10 pm.
Tomorrow we doing the coldwater peak hike, a mere 12.2 miles round trip with a 2000 ft elevation gain. More to come!
What fun to watch the masters get set up. The masters were allowed to start at 10:30, all other divisions start at 11:00. Besides the masters they have a juniors, the sand flees, these are the really young kids, then the teen division and the small and large divisions.
The masters have all the trick forms and tools, including a home made stair stepper that pumped water to a hose with a sprayer on it.
Time to go back to the competition. Most have made a lot of progress, some still had a long way to go. It was amazing to watch now they worked the sand, from the young kids to the masters, the were serious about what they were doing.
These are all the divisions mixed together!
 |
Below are the Masters division
Unfortunately we were not able to stay for the judging. Joe wanted to get back to go to the races, I decided to opt out of the races. The ocean and fresh air wiped me out and they were running 9 divisions and I knew it would be a long night.
Sunday morning we once again on the road again. Our destination for this week is Mt St Helen's. We are staying in Kelso WA at the Brookhollow rv park. Very nice park, close to Mt St Helen's. Once we park and set up it is the time we dislike the most, we need to do laundry and do our grocery shopping.
Before we know it is 9 pm and still daylight outside, it doesn't get dark until 10 pm.
Tomorrow we doing the coldwater peak hike, a mere 12.2 miles round trip with a 2000 ft elevation gain. More to come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)