Ever since we met Betty and Terry Braaten in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2001, we have felt a warm family connection. For three winters we worked on an orphanage project with them, and at the end of a exhausting work day, we'd always have enough energy for a game of Mexican Train dominoes. Last night at their home overlooking the town of Centralia, we played yet another evening of our favorite game. At age 80 and 81, they have bought a new 5th Wheel and truck and they have plans to hit the road again sometime soon. What a great spirit of service they show!
This morning we headed south on I-5 and traveled into the Mt. St. Helens Nat'l Monument. May 18, 2009 is the 29th anniversary of the volcano's eruption. Could it be that long ago? The Johnson Ridge Observatory was scheduled to open for the season today, but it didn't. Just below the observatory we hiked the Coldwater Lake Trail and learned about the making of a lake, volcano-style. Then we hiked the Hummock Trail. We were 14 miles from the eruption and yet we were surrounded by the hummocks created by deep ash piles and huge stone chunks that had landed that far away. The sun beamed down on us all day and we were thankful. Tonight we are back at the Washington coast in the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area. This is a good staging area for beginning the Olympic Peninsula, west of Seattle, tomorrow. We hope to do some of our exploring by Harley. Don't even think that "R" word!
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