Hitting 1,000

BRIDGEPORT, CA - - Lydia would probably never admit that we are quite competitive. But we are, and have been for the last 15 years. Which brings me to Hitting 1,000...as in blog hits...as in all you folks out there who read my blog. The only problem is: Lydia has over 1,500 blog hits. This is very disturbing. But I probably won't lose any hair over it.

Lets pick up the pace, all you slackers out there.

Lassen Volcano

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK , CA - - If you read Lydia's blog today then you know 'Grandpa Prince' was asleep by 8pm last night. So, no blog. You should check out her blog as it (always) makes great reading even when I get bashed or poked. To be up front, it's true, I'm guilty and I (still) have a sense of humor.
If you follow the direction in which Lydia is looking you'll see the object of our escapade. The top of Lassen peak is 10,457' and has a white-ish colored weather or radar directional beacon on top along with solar panels to power the equipment. The top for hikers is about 200' below that in a flat area.
This is shot from the top looking down at parts of the trail. (Double click on the photo and it will supersize itself.) There are hikers descending on the upper levels while the center-bottom left shows a good bit of the zig-zag trail. Lake Helen shows up in the center and sharp eyes will pick out the park road....with our parking lot just where you begin to see the (left-side) beginning of the road. It was much easier coming down. The park info on this hike said it would take at least 4 hours. We did it in that time including about 20 minutes up there talking to folks. Not too bad for 'grandpa.' DISCLAIMER: The only beings who could call me 'grandpa' are our cats - - especially the Queen when she's in a bad mood - - and they can't speak.
But if they could, they'd probably call me 'pop.'

On the trail of volcanoes

MT. SHASTA, CA - - We're continuing to wander and today's adventure brings us to the town of Mt. Shasta, named for the 14,162' peak which towers over the landscape. Volcanoes continue to be famous in this area. The road we traveled to get here was marked by signs "Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway." The VLSB connects Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon (subject of yesterday's blog) with Lassen Volcanic National Park, where we are headed tomorrow.

Mt. Shasta is considered an inactive volcano since it's last eruption was in 1786. It was witnessed by an explorer on a ship off the California coast. It would be another 34 years before anyone other than native americans ventured into the area.

Crater Lake

CRATER LAKE, OR - - Please note, there have been no color corrections to this photo. The water is really this deep blue.

Today, we headed inland from Florence; away from the ocean on what would turn out to be a very clear and sunny day. The first stop was Eugene and the REI store. No luck with the correct size of the new sandals I've been wanting. Then, we turned south and headed for Crater Lake National Park and part two of our "History of volcanoes in Oregon" studies.

The lake was formed 7,700 years ago when a 12,000' volcano collapsed upon itself . The result was a caldera, a bowl (4.5 to 6-miles wide) backed by an 8,400' peak. This huge 'soup tureen' is now filled (altitude 6,173' at lake surface) to the depth of 1,900' with the bluest water you've ever seen and is considered the cleanest large body of water in the world. There are no rivers/streams/etc. running into the crater. This is rain-water and snow-melt only. The area gets 66" of rain per year and 44' (yes, 530-plus inches) of snow.

FYI: The island in the center left corner of the picture is Wizard Island which is really a cinder cone from a later eruption. The area behind the island, which looks like a part of the surrounding walls, is actually a reflection.

The gang's still here

NEWPORT, OR - - Last year, Lydia blogged about the sea lions we saw lounging around a dock area in Newport. This year we arrived early in the morning and had breakfast sitting on an outdoor deck while we were serenaded. Afterward we walked to the docks.

The guys above were so happy to see us they broke into a duet...
...while this big guy was just a bit miffed we hadn't at least dropped him a postcard from Florida....
...and this youngster was a bit more vocal in his displeasure about being forgotten.

Devastation

MT. ST HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT, WA - - The Mt. St Helens National Volcanic Monument is a vivid testament to nature's power. It's 27 years since the massive eruption and the scars are still evident. We were able to drive to a viewpoint 8 miles from the base of the mountain. The photos are from varying areas along the way.
The profile of the mountain (top) shows a barren space where once it was heavily forested. The middle photo is the left side of shot one while the bottom pic shows the right hand side. The section of the blowout is on right side of the middle photo while on the bottom photo one can see the avenues of lava flow.
So where are the trees which weren't vaporized in the 300mph gas and ash storm which followed the explosion? From our viewpoint, Spirit Lake way below us looked like it was half frozen over. Closer inspection via binoculars showed us that what looked like 'ice' were the "bodies" of thousands of trees floating on the lake. They had been bleached by the sun over the years and looked so jammed together that it appeared you could take a walk on them

Mt Ranier..another look

PACKWOOD, WA - - Here's another view of Mt. Ranier and some of the over 30 glaciers covering the 14,400' peak. Check Lydia's blog for more info on our day in the area

On to the Cascade Mountains

ALONG THE NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY - - After two days of sun in Annacortes, we left town under low clouds and light rain as we headed into the Cascade mountain range. One town we went through billed itself as: "The gateway to the American Alps." This was a bit of an overstatement at least at this location as we believe the views from the air of Mt. Baker and other snow-covered peaks are spectacular. But, like Denali, Mt. Baker wore a shroud on this day.
WE stopped at a couple of observation points along the way where the rain had let. (Top) If you look at the center of the pic you'll see a very fine spray from a waterfall. (Bottom) In this shot the clouds clinging to this mountain look more like smoke from a forest fire. Both shots were taken on the Cascades' western slopes where there is plenty of rain. On the eastern side, the fire danger signs listed the hazard level as "very high."

Cabin Nite

ANNACORTES, WA - - As LH mentioned in a recent blog entry, one of the first things we did upon arriving in Annacortes was do laundry. Not only did we get clean clothes, but we got lucky also. As LH was watching the machines I was talking with a young guy who had parked next to our Element with his (same year) Element. We discussed the merits of throwing out the back seat and carrying as much cargo as we wanted. He noted the Florida plates and I told him of our Alaska adventure and of plans to spend another day or two in Annacortes.
AS we were leaving, the young guy asked where we were headed. I mentioned Deception Bay (WA) State Park to camp. He replied that he managed an RV Resort which had no camping but did have cabins, and wi-fi and a nice price. He invited us to at least stop by. We did and stayed in the cabin pictured above. The park was very nice, the RV folks were quiet, and some even had cats.

We've landed!

ANACORTES, WA - - After three nights and four days, we've finally landed at the Alaska Marine Highway dock in Bellingham, WA. First on, first off played into our hands as we were the fourth car loaded in Skagway, but were parked right in front of the exit ramp. So, Monday night just when we were nearing the food servers and deciding what we wanted for dinner the PA system called for the owner of the Honda Element with Florida plates to come to the Pursers Desk. Off I went wondering what this was for.
As it turned out, all they wanted for us to do was show up early so we could be ready to roll as soon as they docked. No problem. Unfortunately there were about 50 people ahead of me when I returned to the food line. I decided not to wait.
We got to the car early, off the ferry early and pulled into Anacortes (one of our favorite places on the Left coast) in time for breakfast. Tonight we are in a cozy cabin in a RV park nearby.
The ferry ride was well worth the cost because as sick as I was I don't think I wouldd have survived the drive.

Pics on the water, part 2

ONBOARD THE M/V MALASPINA - - On a sunny day while traveling through the Johnstone Straight you get to see a lot of different boat traffic.

Pics on the water, part 1

ONBOARD THE M/V MALASPINA - - On a sunny day you can see: A signal light instalation and a couple of Orca Whales playing

Company on the water

ONBOARD THE M/V MALASPINA - - The ferry system, like bush pilots in Alaska and Canada, provides a lifeline to a lot of places along the AL/CAN coast not accessible by road. Here's one of BCFerries snazzy vehicle haulers heading north.
We are now on the 594 nautical mile non-stop leg from Ketchican to Bellingham. (1 mile nautical mile = 1.15 statue miles) This route meanders among the three covered islands along the Canadian coast with a village or two scattered along the way.

Back from the dead

ONBOARD THE M/V MALASPINA - - I'm back. As Lydia has mentioned in her blog, I picked up a very nasty bug a day or two before leaving Denali. It got worse, I got stubborn and then my guardian angel marched me to a walk-in clinic in Whitehorse. By this time I was trying to push on with what i think was walking-pneumonia (having had this already). The doc took my $$$, listened to the congestion in my lungs, and then wrote a order for some strong antibiotics. The cure was almost worse than the malady. Today, Monday, I feel better; not fine but better. I don't cough loud and long while gasping for breath and I don't wheeze and gurgle when I lay down.

Out of here

TOK, ALASKA - - Wednesday morning at 9am we busted out of Denali Park (above) and headed for the Alaska Highway (middle pic) and our final stop of the day: The Burning Paw Cabins in Tok (pronounced toke). Tomorrow's update on our escape plan from Whitehorse in Canada's Yukon Territory.

Pretty pictures

DENALI PARK, AK - - Fall is in the air and the colors are turning.