Thirteenth Stop - Mt. St. Helens National Monument / Seaquest State Park campground - July 5-6, 2018

Our next quick day and a half stop was to see Mt. St. Helens National Monument - the volcano that erupted in May 1980.   Stayed at Seaquest State Park campground, which was beautiful, with spacious sites and tall trees.  After our arrival, we went to the nearby Visitor Center and learned about the eruption, including a video of the event.  Totally amazing.   Quiet evening, including quiet trails through the woods from the campground.   July 5 is Karl's birthday!  I'm sure he enjoyed grilling his dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs.



The next day, we drove to the Johnston Ridge Visitor Center, which is the closest drivable place to Mt. St. Helens.  It was named for a scientist who died in the eruption.   Beautiful views from the Visitor Center.   Watched another video which was more dramatic . . . more actual footage.   There were many earthquakes before the eruption, and it was being closely monitored.  Then that day, the side of the mountain started sliding down, and then WHAM.   That was 1980.  I remember the red sunsets in Illinois from the ash in the air.   The ash went all the way around the planet.















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