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Mel vs. the Volcano Volcano=1 Mel=0

I recently took a trip to Washington and had time to visit Mount St. Helens. I was staying in Seattle. I couldn’t imagine being that close to a volcano and not check it out! It was a beautiful sunny day and I was ready for a road trip (approximately 96 miles). Armed with a bag of snacks and camera in hand we started out on our adventure.

If you squint hard you can see the volcano in the background.

When we arrived at the welcome center I was jumping with excitement. As I learned more about the eruption in 1980 I was amazed at the pure power of this monument. My husband teased me, “It could erupt any time. Doesn’t that make you a little nervous?” Not me! If it is my time to go there is nothing I can do about it. So I insisted on going as high as the laws of gravity will allow.

1000 feet up and I am still jumping with excitement. 2000 feet up and I can see snow of the ground. 3000 feet up and I almost fainted! I cannot express the feeling of panic that came over me. I had to get the heck out of there immediately! I suddenly had a better understanding of Jesse Clifton. It was almost time to call in the rescue squad.

2000 feet down! (two lane bridge)

There you have it. Mount St. Helens won this time. Apparently there are some things I cannot do. However, I wouldn't trade the experience. Taking pics was a blast.

Posted by Melody Botting Real Estate Network on 10/28/2008 03:45 PM

Comments (45)

melody botting, mount st helens, volcanos

Originally posted at: Mel's Diner - Serving Up The Good Stuff: Mel vs. the Volcano Volcano=1 Mel=0

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45 Comments on Mel vs. the Volcano Volcano=1 Mel=0

OCT

2008

I have been waiting for this for a very long time. More eye candy from Mel's Washington vacation. Yay! Thank you, Melodious.

That bridge looks horribly intimidating!! Have I ever mentioned that I'm afraid of heights? Looks beautiful though!

These are great pictures Mel. You are quite the adventurer. Do you ever slow down?

Mel ~ OMG! I am dizzy just looking at the picture of that bridge! I rely on people like you to relay these adventures to me, because no way would I go up that high and look down! : )

That bridge is a little scary looking. I was in Seattle a couple of years ago and never got to Mt. St. Helen's, but it was a short trip.

Looks like fun though.

Thanks for sharing.

All the best!

CTS- I have posts for months!

Mandi- I am only afraid of heights once I actually get to a high place. My ambition seems to get in the way of reality. When I decided we couldn't go any further Tony said, "Oh, thank God! I thought you were going to make me go the whole way!"

Erik- No!

Kathy-It scared to beegeebeez outta me!

Kevin- It was worth the trip. It is hard to fathom that kind of power when you are staring straight at it.

Mel - Amazing photos lady! The last one is my favorite. My gosh I would be SKEEEERED! KM

KM- I have many more photos but the last one is my favorite as well. I was, let's just say adamant, about leaving after 3k feet of fun. I couldn't breath, my heart was racing and I couldn't go any higher. It is way different in a plane.

Mel- Great pics. I was living in the Salem area when she blew. The ash on my back porch looked like snow piled up! I still have some in a small glass jar and call it my VD. volcano dust!

Lori- What you named it is funny but not how you got it. I am glad you fared well. I heard/read some scary stories. I would love to see a pic of your VD. (I never thought I would say that in a million years).

I know what you mean, Mel. You could definitely take that statement two ways... (ROTFL). Since I know what you meant I'll be kind. Promise. :-)

Hi Lori! :-)

Great Pics...I would like to say that It would not bother me as not much does, but you don't know until you are there. I gree with you, the pure power was unfathomable!

CTS- I know, right?

William- I thought I could handle it but it was too much for me. Admitting it is rough. I will try it again if I get an opportunity!

Hi Mel...

I just got back from a board function. Great pics, it looks like you had a real adventure!

Hi Melody, My family was living on Ft. Lewis, WA, near Tacoma when Mt. St. Helen's erupted. We could see the plume. I used to have a vial of volcano dust but I have no idea where it disappeared to.

Richard- Adventure is the right word for it.

Shirley- That must have been a very memorable experience. They sell the dust at gift shops but I didn't feel I needed any...

Beautiful pictures, Melody, and a great post. Your story reminds me of riding the bicycle around Lake Tahoe. I was pretty shaken!

Gina- I remember when you took that trip. You should blog about it!

Mel - Mt. St. Helens is fantastic, I love visiting there. It's recovery has been spectacular. I was in Boston when it blew and had to fly home a few days later. With all the rerouting it took me 11 hours and 5 plane changes between Boston and San Francisco, usually a non-stop.

Mel-Wow-those are some really great pictures. The bridge was intimidating. I would probably have been squirming all around if I had went over it. That last picture is truly magnificent. Thanks for sharing with us.

OCT

2008

Yep... I so definitely know that feeling. Been there... done that...got the emergency services bill. :) That's a great photo of Mount St. Helens, Mel!

Thank you Mel for sharing your vacation with us. I have never been there and it is always good to hear about wonderful places to visit.

Well, at least you got to see the place. I'm sure you'll get that volcano on the next trip.

Mike- You have been everywhere! I bet your photo library is spectacular.

Laura- The bridge was scary. I was holding my breath the whole time. I think it has to be at least a half mile long. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Jesse- I learned you can get motion sickness and the fear of heights at the same time. I feel for you! I actually thought of your post when I was standing there shaking with the camera in my hand. The thought of calling a rescue crew was at the forefront of my mind.

Don- I am usually a 'tropical' vacation kinda person. This was not on my 'list' but should have been.

JL- You bet ya!

Mel - I lived from San Diego to Seattle, including the L.A. area, S.F. Bay Area and the Portland area. Spent a lot of time all over the west coast.

Mike- That is very interesting. You have lived everywhere my blogs were written about. I too have been to San Diego and stayed in Little Italy. It was a lot of fun, especially when I hopped a bus to Mexico!

Great pictures Mel but that bridge ain't ever going to see my butt on it. God said "Low I Am With You Always"

Haaaaaaa! Nice quote Cameron. :-)

Wow! I hiked half dome with my husband and son (in yosemite) If you know it, you would know there are ropes that lead you almost completely vertically straight up...only with ropes. I had to stop there. Half dome one that time, drat! I love your photos, that is great. I lived in Oregon when I was a little girl and remember when it errupted!

OCT

2008

You have some great photos! You know, I live not far from there, and have been to Seattle many times, but I have never been to Mt. St. Helens. I should do that!!!

hahaha....I just got Cameron's joke.....funny!

Beautiful country up there. Love the pictures. Why does that bridge remind me of the penultimate scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? I bet I could see Shortround on it if I squint long enough.

OCT

2008

Mel- So sorry.... but better later than never. For your viewing enjoyment...

My VD!

I live out in WA and we've been to Mt. St. Helen's and the first time we went, I couldn't believe the path of destruction - and you can still tell just where the landslide occured. I hope you enjoyed your trip and I'm glad it wasn't raining while you were out here.

Your pictures are really nice. I never thought about visiting Mt. St. Helen's, but volcanos have always fascinated me and I think it would be a lot of fun to see one up close.

Happy Halloween!

NOV

2008

Mel - What a wonderful place to visit. The last picture posted is so serene!!

NOV

2008

Mel~ You've been traveling a lot this year...I am so jealous! Seems to me like you took some great photos and created some memories well worth keeping (well, some of them, at least!). I'm happy to see that you are enjoying life! Keep sharing...it's like being there...without needing to change my pants (because I'd pee in them if I was that high in the air!) :)

NOV

2008

Mel, you have definitely been feed us all a lot of eye candy the past few days...sweet!

NOV

2008

Melody - Beautiful photos and wonderful blog. I lived in Portland Oregon for five years and we use to go up to Mt Rainer in Washington all the time in the summer to play.

NOV

2008

Mel - MT. St. Helens is amazing... I lived on Whidbey Island when she erupted, it's difficult to explain the jolt we felt and "boom" we heard hundreds of miles away. I'm glad you had a good time in WA!

NOV

2008

Mel, thanks for sharing these amazing photos...glad you had a wonderful time on your trip.

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