Paradise Resort, Silver Creek, Washington

Tuesday, July 10 - We drove from Portland Fairview RV Park 95 miles on I-5 and Rt. 12 to Paradise Resort, Silver Creek, Washington, a Thousand Trails park. The roads in the park are all gravel, and create a lot of dust when people drive by. It is hot here as expected since the news broadcast says this is unprecedented heat wave over the whole state of Washington. The temperatures are 26 degrees above average. Of course, the Lamps are here so why shouldn’t it be so hot we can’t cool our home down below 85 degrees. Mitzy is really uncomfortable due to all her hair.

Wednesday, July 11 - Drove to Mt. St. Helens around noon. Due to the extreme heat forecasted, we wanted to be out of the RV until it started to cool down again after dinner. It was 101 degrees in some areas we traveled, but was a cool 92 degrees at the visitors' center at Mt. St. Helens. The views were beyond what we could imagine. We were able to get five miles from Mt. St. Helens at one viewpoint.

At the Forestry viewing area, we were at the first level looking out over what looked like grey mud. We met a Weyhauser Forester in charge of 680,000 acres 15 years before the explosion that took his forest away. He didn’t want a desk job, but now has one. Within four weeks of the eruption, the Weyerhaeuser foresters and scientists planted research study plots to determine the effects of ash on reforestation. As long as the ash was scraped away so that the 7” seedlings’ roots could be placed directly in the underlying mineral soil, the trees would live. In total, 18.4 million trees were hand planted one-by-one on over 45,500 acres. Douglas-fir and noble fir with some lodgepole pine and black cottonwoods were planted. The average height of the first trees planted in 1981 average 60 ft.

Mt. St. Helens – “At 8:32 a.m. on May 18, 1980, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook Mount St. Helens, triggering a massive explosion. The release of gases rapped inside the volcano sent 1,300 vertical feet of mountaintop rocketing outward to the north. Super-heated ash roared 60,000 feet into a cloudless blue sky. The cataclysmic blast – carrying winds that reached 670 mph and temperatures of 800 degrees flattened 230 sq. mi. of forest. Elk, deer and other wildlife were obliterated. Fifty-seven people were killed. The largest landslide in recorded history swept through the Toutle River Valley, choking pristine rivers and lakes with mud, ash, and shattered timber, eradicating trout and salmon. After the eruption, only a moonscape remained.” The blast killed two in an RV at the gorge and have not been recovered yet. Trees were blown down twenty miles away. Ash four inches deep covered farms and houses 150 miles away . More people would have died if Weyheuser employees were not on site early in the morning to assist.
Twenty-seven years after the eruption, the mountain continues to astound visitors. A lava dome on the crater floor has grown steadily since 1980, adding 88 million cubic-yards of material and 1,363 ft. in height. Earthquakes and minor eruptions are common today.

Thursday, July 12 - We drove about an hour to reach the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. We knew it would be a long day’s drive with a lot of stops for photos. There are no words to describe the magnitude of Mount Rainier and the peaks surrounding it. Of all the volcanoes and mountains we have seen, this one takes the top of our list of the “best ever”. Viewed from a few miles away, Mt. Rainier appears to hover in the sky like a massive mirage - 14,411-foot-high dormant volcano. The road to Paradise Visitor’s Center is twisted and with hair-pin turns through towering Douglas firs and beautiful stands of red cedars. We saw incredible water falls along the way. The higher we drove the forest thined out, and we can see Mt. Rainier’s upper slopes. We were thrilled at the stunning array of wild-flowers carpeting the meadows as well as the sides of the roads.

On the way we saw the glacier-gouged Reflection Lakes, but the reflection of Mt. Rainier could not be seen because of the ripples in the lake. We saw the bridge spanning the narrow gorge, known as Box Canyon. From the top of the bridge we gazed at the roiling river some 180 feet below. Mount Rainier is one of thirteen active volcanoes in the Cascade Range including Mount Adams, which we opted not to drive to due to the distance from here.

Each year, about twenty earthquakes jolt Mount Rainier, making it the second most seismically active volcano in the northern Cascade Range after Mount St. Helens. Steam vents in the summit crater are evidence that Mount Rainier will ERUPT again.
To the casual observer, glaciers may seem to be rigid and unchanging, but in fact, they deform and flow continuously. Glaciers flow under the influence of gravity by the combined action of sliding over the rock on which they lie and by deformation, the gradual displacement between and within individual ice crystals. Maximum speeds occur near the surface and along the center line of the glacier.
During May, 1970, Nisqually Glacier was measured moving as fast as 29 inches per day. Flow rates are generally greater in summer than in winter, probably due to the presence of large quantities of melt-water at the glacier base. Retreat of the Little Ice Age glaciers was slow until about 1920 when retreat became more rapid. Between the height of the Little Ice Age in 1950, Mount Rainier's glaciers lost about one-quarter of their length. Beginning in 1950 and continuing through the early 1980's, however, many of the major glaciers advanced in response to relatively cooler temperatures of the mid-century. The Carbon, Cowlitz, Emmons, and Nisqually Glaciers advanced during the late 1970's and early 1980's as a result of high snowfalls during the 1960's and 1970's. Since the early-1980's and through 1992, however, many glaciers have been thinning and retreating and some advances have slowed, perhaps in response to drier conditions that have prevailed at Mount Rainier since 1977.

On November 6 and 7, 2006 continual heavy rains blanketed the mountain and overfilled the rivers and tributaries. Flooding occurred in every corner of the park, disrupting daily operations and changing the landscape. The flood was historical and unlike any other that has been recorded in its 108-year history. The 18 inches of rain recorded at Paradise in 36 hours exceeded all previous records. And record amounts fell throughout other regions of the park. The heavy snow melt this spring didn’t help things either. The park had to remain closed for six months due to the damage to the roads, utilities, and structures. We certainly saw a lot of evidence of the felled trees and diverted waterways. Also, there were many parts of the road that were blocked off due to the road landslides and we also drove on roads that had huge boulders and rocks that had slid recently down the sharp granite walls.
“Earth’s climate is changing, with global temperature now rising at a rate unprecedented in the experience of modern human society.” Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, 2004.

As we traveled out of the area, we saw this beautiful valley and lake.

We were not able to finish our drive up to Sunrise which is one of the driest locations in the park. I was looking forward to seeing the dry conditions, and the difference in plants and trees. There is a lot of wind and due to the location there is a very short growing season. Oh well, it was getting late anyway, so we were happy to have seen all that we did.
We got through the drive and back home by 4:30 pm, so the temperature inside was a constant 85 degrees because the a/c can’t possibly cool it down any better with 101 degrees outside. Fortunately, it was cooler by midnight and we slept well.

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Portland Fairview RV Park - Troutdale, OR

Tuesday, July 3 - We arrived at the Portland Fairview RV Park in Troutdale, OR around noon today after driving through beautiful scenery as we left the coast. Regret that we won’t be seeing such amazing coastal scenes any time soon. As we left the interstate and downtown congestion, we got our first glimpse of Mt. Hood. So much snow on it, and so beautiful.
The park has 407 spaces with picnic tables, full hook-ups, cable, free wi-fi, and freeway access. Very busy freeway, but the noise is not too bad. Park is beautiful and the RVs are tiered so you don’t feel too confined. Today the weather here is fabulous – mid 80s with a slight breeze, but running the a/c.
Wednesday, July 04 - Traffic was considerable as we set out to see some sights near our location. After we entered I-84, it ran along the Columbia River and you could see the gorge between the trees that were also towering along the edge. We entered the scenic route, but due to a traffic tie-up for an accident, we were detoured to a country road and there was a backup on the country road that took 45-minutes to reach a point where we could turn around. They blocked off the road for a parade of all things.

We stopped to take a picture of Melanoma Falls, one of the most visited sights in Oregon. We decided we would see the close-up viewing some other day as it was a 400-ft. walk and then stairs upward. It would be too physical for either of us to try. The falls are the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States, is two-tiered and drops 620 feet. A steep, paved trail leads visitors to a platform above the falls. The waterfall is visually complimented by Benson Bridge, built in 1914 by local contractor Robert R. Ringer, and Multnomah Falls Lodge built in 1925. Inside the Lodge is a gift shop, restaurant and US Forest Service Information Center.


We traveled on to get lunch in the small town of Cascade Locks. The Cascade Locks Historical Museum focuses on local transportation history. A highlight is the Oregon Pony, which is located outside the museum. It was the first steam engine operated in the Pacific Northwest. The museum is located in one of the three original lock tender's houses, built in 1905. The Museum overlooks the original Locks, a National Historic Site and features information, photos, and artifacts on the history of the Columbia River Gorge. The views from the walking bridge were phenomenal.



















We went on to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum in Stevenson, Washington. They have 11,000 SF of exhibits. The most interesting was the Corliss Steam Engine and the McCord Fishwheel. We saw the “Creation” movie about the geology of the Gorge. The visit was well worth going to. Outside you can see the scenic Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. We traveled past the Bonneville Dam, but decided not to stop for the tour.

























We crossed the Bridge of the Gods that joins Oregon and Washington. Bridge of the Gods as it exists today was created in a much less glamorous fashion than the original, natural one. It was built by man, by hand, and with difficulty. Constructed in 1926, the Bridge of the Gods is the third oldest bridge on the Columbia River. It plays a major role in the Pacific Coast Trail by linking Oregon and Washington states. Indian legend says the Great Spirit built a bridge of stone that was a

gift of great magnitude. Scientists say that about 1,000 years ago the mountain on the Washington side of the Columbia river (near what is now the town of Cascade Locks,) caved off, blocking the river.
Interesting fact - People arriving over the Bering Strait from Mongolia about 13,000 years ago first popoulated the Pacific Northwest. Spanish and British sailors are believed to have sighted the Oregon coast as early as the 1500s. It is estimated that there were 125 distinct Northwestern tribes in the area at that time.


We reached Mount Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon (11,237 ft) and popular with skiers, hikers, and climbers. It is 45-miles east-southeast of Portland, Oregon.



















Mount Hood is a stratovolcano made of lava flows, domes, and volcaniclastic deposits. Most of the volcano is andesite composition. The main cone of Mount Hood formed about 500,000 years ago. In the last 15,000 years the volcano has had four eruptive periods. During the most recent eruptive period, 250-180 years ago, lava domes collapsed and produced numerous pyroclastic flows and lahars which buried the southwest flank of the mountain. Crater Rock, a prominent rocky pinnacle just below the summit, is the most recent lava dome. Similar eruptions in the future pose the greatest risk to communities on the flank of the volcano.
Mount Hood is a mountain that gets little respect despite being spectacular and deadly. It is the fourth highest in the Cascades -- far lower than 14,000 foot giants Mt. Rainier and Mt. Shasta and over a thousand lower than Mt. Adams.
However, the peak is dearly beloved in Portland where it dominates the skyline. It is heavily glaciated and receives staggering amounts of snowfall every winter.
Timberline Lodge The south side of Mt. Hood has been a major recreational area since the days when the road to Timberline was a glorified cow trail, coffee was 10C a cup, and you brought your own blanket to stay at the Hotel at Timberline.
The broad sloping roof rising up to a central point was designed to harmonize with the shape of the mountain and its ridges. Stone buttressed walls and massive timbers were planned to withstand heavy alpine winds and deep snows. The windows bring the mountain and surrounding valleys “into” the lodge.
Sunday, July 08 - We took a drive into Portland for our last chance to sight-see this area. We went to the Portland Rose Garden in Washington Park. It is an International Rose Test Garden – the oldest of 24 public test gardens in the US. The 5+ acres garden has a panoramic view of the “City of Roses” and I had to see it. Established in 1917 and always maintained and operated by the Portland Parks Bureau. I saw many roses identified and were the same ones that I grew in our gardens throughout the years. It was a beautiful setting at the top tier to catch a glimpse of Mt. Hood in the distance with its snow capped peaks.

























We also took an open train ride up to the Oregon Zoo, but found it to be more for the children. It was a rather warm ride, but with the shade of the thick forest, it was bearable. The zoo animals were laying low due to the heat, so we decided it was so late in the day, we would get back on the train and return home before traffic got bad.b:if cond='data:blog.pageType !="item"> >

Seaside Resort - Thousand Trails - Cloverdale, OR

Tuesday, June 26 - We packed up and drove Hwy. 101 to our new location at Seaside Resort, a Thousand Trails park in Cloverdale, OR. The park is set further inland, but it is just a short drive to the beach and town center. The park itself is laid out in two sections, with 50-amp service on the north side. Roads are gravel. Sites are adequate but we lucked out with a huge corner lot. Summer has come to this area, so there are a lot of younger families now in the parks. It is still a very quiet park and people adhere to the rules. The exterior roads were great as we passed through some very unique small towns. One was Garibaldi just north of Tillamook. They had beautiful homes up on the hillsides overlooking the Pacific. At least they don’t have to worry about the Tsunami warnings. We saw many logging trucks and signs on the hillsides of the sections where the trees have been removed. Garibaldi was originally a Tillamook Indian whaling village, then became a major lumber shipping port and is now a sporting hot spot.

Seaside was first visited by Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery in 1805, Seaside has been the northwest’s best place to play at the beach for more than 100 years. Less than two hundred years ago, Native Americans lived along the shores and grassland plains of Seaside, where they gathered native berries, fished for salmon and collected clams and mussels. Elk and venison from the forests provided meat, as did whales and sea lions.
The Seaside Natatorium, a public saltwater bath house, was a popular attraction among Seaside’s early visitors. The Natatorium building now houses the Seaside Aquarium, but we didn't have the time to visit.
Saturday, June 30 - The weather is fabulous – high 60s and sunny skies. We drove north to Astoria.

Astoria is a city of 10,000 people on the Columbia River, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. The city lines the south banks of the Columbia River and the north banks of Young's bay. Surrounded by water and tall evergreen Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Spruce trees. Our first stop was to see Fort Clatsop National Memorial that commemorates the western end of the Lewis & Clark Trail. This site commemorates the 1805-06 winter encampment of the 33-member Lewis and Clark Expedition. A 1955 community-built replica of the explorers' 50'x50' Fort Clatsop is the focus of the park. The fort, historic canoe landing, and spring are nestled in the coastal forests and wetlands of the Coast Range as it merges with the Columbia River Estuary. The Salt Works unit commemorates the expedition's salt-making activities. Salt obtained from seawater was essential to the explorers' winter at Fort Clatsop and their journey back to the United States in 1806
It was on a wet Christmas Eve day in 1805 that Lewis & Clark and their Corps of Discovery moved into a stockade fort surrounded by lush old-growth forest, wetlands and wildlife and rested from their arduous 2,000-mile westward journey. Fort Clatsop, the winter encampment site of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was named in honor of the local Clatsop Indians. Astoria boomed once the canning industry took off along the lower Columbia River. Finns, Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes flocked to the area to make a living in the flourishing fishing industry, in logging, and in farming. By 1890, Astoria was home to fourteen canneries, fifty-four saloons, and thirty-five brothels. In 1897, two hundred fishermen, most of them Finnish, purchased a cannery site and it became known at the Union Fishermen's Cooperative Packing Company (Union Fish, for short).
Astoria has many cafés and unique shops. We wanted to tour the nationally acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum located on the waterfront, but we didn’t have the time to stop and we had Mitzy with us. We drove to the waterfront, but since it was Saturday, the expectations of finding fishing boats unloading their daily catches, seals and sea lions poking their heads up with a watchful eye on the fishermen's catch, was not happening. We did see Coast Guard Cutter ships and huge barges being pulled along by the tugs.

We saw great views of Astoria's historic Victorian home architecture and maritime character that paints its silhouetted hillside. We also saw the newly restored Old 300 trolley moving along Astoria's waterfront. The Old 300 was originally built in 1913 and is a 20-ton, 40-passenger trolley. The trolley travels on Astoria's original train tracks between the East End Mooring Basin and West End Mooring Basin. You can step back in time with a visit to the elegant Astoria home built in 1885 by Captain George Flavel, Columbia River bar pilot and the area's first millionaire. A magnificent example of Queen Anne style architecture with period furnishings and artwork, the Flavel House rests on park-like grounds covering an entire city block. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Flavel House has been operated as a museum by the Clatsop County Historical Society since 1950. During the Christmas season, a tea with traditional plum pudding is served in the dining room.

We took a drive up Coxcomb Hill about 500 feet above sea level to see the historic Astoria Column, (built in 1926, it is 125 feet high and has 164 steps winding to the top – which we did NOT climb). The art on the column is a summary of the triumphs, conflicts and turning points of the frontier. It is to properly salute Astoria’s explorers and early settlers for their critical role in the United States’ stretch to the Pacific Coast. The scenic beauty from this vista takes your breath away as you see the Pacific Ocean meeting the Columbia River and the dense, lush green forests and its endless miles of sandy beaches.
Sunday, July 01 - We took a drive south and then east on Hwy. 202 to see the free-roaming Roosevelt Elk at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Before we stopped we stopped to take a brief walk around the famous Camp 18 (Milepost 18, Elsie, OR). A log cabin building the size of a train terminal, features a main room supported by the largest known ridge pole in the US; twenty-five tons. On the walls are massive lumbering saws and old photographs of lumberjacks at work. Wooden carved statues are everywhere of bears, lumberjacks, birds, etc. The place was terribly busy at 10:30 AM because their Lumberjack breakfasts are known far and wide. We didn’t wait to eat, but enjoyed the beautiful scenery outside. I would recommend this to be on your lists of stops in this area.
When we finally arrived at the Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area we were very disappointed – no elk were to be seen. We turned around and got back home by 1:30 pm.
Monday, July 2 - Finally got the time and weather cooperated so we could use our new bar-b-q grill from Camping World http://www.campingworld.com/ . The filet's were perfectly grilled and tasted great! Of course the cleanup is always a chore, but Ray does that job. We sat outside with our drinks and soaked up the beautiful weather along the Oregon coast.

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