Whilst we were in the Mt St Helens neighborhood we did a few hikes and stuff...

Went ape in a cave
"Ape caves" are lava tubes, the longest continuous tubes in the contiguous US in fact, there's the easy half and the rough half... I opted for the rough half. You get to climb piles of boulders/slabs that fell off the ceiling. (Only left a little bit of my right shin hide behind).

2.5 miles long and about 2000 years old.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534085438.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534085438.jpg

Saw a 1972 Pontiac that was 8.5 miles from the eruption- 300 MPH wind and debris made this one a challenge to buff out.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534085560.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534085560.jpg

Also walked across a springy suspension bridge

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534085690.jpg

Wandered up about 300 steps at Windy ridge to an amazing view of Spirit lake (now 200' higher than before and not as deep). The tsunami wave pushed water and trees 800' + up the surrounding mountain sides and then scoured everything off down to bedrock.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534085874.jpg

We also had great views of a couple other nearby volcanoes, Adams and the majestic Mt Rainier


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534085974.jpg

Great pictures Skip.
I was out there when St. Helens blew. Didn't see the eruption but i remember all the other truckers were putting pantyhose over their air filters to keep the ash dust out. I didn't go the pantyhose route as that ash was so fine i didn't think it would amount to much.
I've got a bunch of pictures but they're all slides.

Great shot^!!!

The eruption destroyed an amazing amount of territory, it also created some new features-
Coldwater lake, 5 miles long and up to 180' deep. The eruption plugged up the former river's outlet and a new lake was born

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534093800.jpg

When the eruption happened I was 150 miles away half asleep on a queen size water bed... I felt a thump through the waterbed and thought what in the world would make a 1500 lb waterbed jump?

Turned on the TV a bit later and found out, I could see the plume clearly from home.

Our Son is summiting Mt Adams today, 12 miles RT and 6,700' gain I'll bet he will be one tired dude tonight.

Adams is due East of St Helens poking up behind the Spirit lake log mat, at 12,280' it's 2nd highest in Washington.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534094972.jpg

Great pics Skip!
It took me a while to make out that the ice flow was actually logs blown down by the eruption. What an amazing event, big contrast to the eruptions on the Big Island, Hi.

Cheers Richard

Durango, Colorado. August 1972.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534121761.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534187572.jpg


Not a very good picture. Cropped it a little to remove the fence. Petit Le Mans 2012.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f59b967e13.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534265572.jpg


Sebring 2018. Final turn stationed before the exit. Late in the day. Dusk to dark. Like the green glow of the shot. Took both Canon and Pentax to the track. Canon didn't have any fast glass so I switched to Pentax for the evening.
Camera: Pentax K3 Lens: Tamron 70-200 f2.8
ISO: 1600 Fstop: 3.5
Shutter: 1/100 sec Spot metering (should have used expanded point)

A few shots from our bi-annual family campout - this time on the Central Coast of CA near Morro Bay:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269090.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534268763.JPG

Ok - with a bit of reluctance, here are my results of trying to reproduce Skip's Swedish fire torch. It was moderately effective, but never "chugged" and since we failed to place rocks around it it eventually collapsed down upon itself. Was still a lot of fun.

The only firewood we had was eucalyptus - and I think it could have been dryer.

As I said, fun for a first try. Any tips appreciated...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534269383.JPG

How is your young Naval Officer doing?

She's doing well, Paul, thanks for asking. Enjoying her remaining time in San Diego then off to Everett. She just completed the LOA on her current DDG, lots more to do through the end of the year, then off to school in RI. She got her first choice for ships and position - NAV on another DDG. She's pretty stoked about that as she had tremendous respect for her NAV who mentored through to earning her OOD and SWO.

I don't have to tell you she'll have some tough choices in her second deployment. She has found her calling - at least for the time being - and is at the top of heap when it comes to JO's. And if she keeps moving along as she has they'll offer big bucks to stick around as a Dept. Head. But as a young woman, that certainly will make for some huge decision making.

I will say this: we never suggested the military, and before she entered I had (have?) some issues with women in the military. But the Navy has been good for her, and she has excelled in driving ships. She's 5'3 and wears a size 6 shoe, but the Navy needs quick, smart thinkers, and in that role she is very well suited - regardless of gender and size.

Probably TMI, but thanks for asking!

How about your boy - I'm trying to remember, at one point I think you said near DC in a federal capacity, but then did you say law?

I'm sure he's doing well regardless!


Relaxing in Hillcrest after a "Hail and Farewell" we were honored to attend.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534277147.jpg

NAV with newly minted SWO/OOD, end of 1st deployment (to all the bad places), guiding the DDG into 32nd Street

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534277224.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534277364.jpg

Nice first attempt David!

You need round logs, split ones choke off the chimney...
Taller too, add small bits as needed until the insides of the chimney are burning.
And beer, have at least one beer for the full effect.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534279492.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534279492.jpg

A couple of Dr. Karls magic flaming balls are preferred.
(Karl encouraging his flaming balls to do their magic.)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534279492.jpg

Also, tie them lower and (as you mentioned) surround with rocks to hold it all in place.
(Don't omit the beer step, or your favorite adult beverage if beer is in short supply)

Oh!
And a blessing, you must bless the torch in your own special way to get it going right.
(Karl's approach)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534279492.jpg

it worked

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534279691.jpg

So cool and there is no such thing as TMI when our kids are involved. The pictures are great!

My Navy was a lot less enlightened than your Daughters Navy...she can earn her quals without issue. At least I hope.

NAV is a big deal and hard. She will do well.

Jack is doing great. He is starting his second year of law school after a great internship in Norfolk...same firm he will intern with next year.

He is just smart enough to make it all work.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1534281312.jpg

Very very cool - can't wait to see the graduation photos! Good luck to Jack.