Thirty years ago I was deep in diapers, day care, little people giggles and tears, and work. I made time for myself by studying calligraphy and learning to love the form of letters and words. Barely aware of the greater world, the explosion of fire and rock at Mt St. Helens only glanced off my consciousness. Now the power of this mountain has become clear. Over the millenniums she had been shaped by fire from deep in the earth and molded by glaciers on her surface. April 1980 it happened again. In a single eruption, 1/3 of the top of the mountain was blown away, including the whole north face. Magma flowed, steam billowed, fire erupted. Ash up to 7 feet deep covered everything for miles and, caught by the winds in the stratosphere, circled the globe. In Maine I noticed beautiful sun sets in my small world.
We viewed the mountain from Windy Ridge to its east. What was grey and lifeless 30 years ago is now becoming green, sprouting wildflowers, alder shrubs, new growth spruce, pine, and fir, grasses and sedges. The north face, still missing in the circle of the crater, gives glimpse of two lava domes which grow inside her center. The mountain itself, giving off steam and magma on the inside of the crater, supports glaciers on the outside. Our day with Mt St Helens was one of sun and fire, magma growth and power. No more glancing off the power of mother earth!
There are other days when we receive gentle gifts. A hike in the alpine meadows east of Mt Rainier offered sun and cooling wind, open meadows of flowers clinging to the sides of hills. Alpine lupine painted the meadows with purple hue. Spotted with the vermillion red of Indian Paintbrush, yellow hawkweed reaching its heads above grey dry soil, ubiquitous pearly everlasting, pink and white heather, broad leaf corn lily, and so many other small flowers, the meadows were a gift of joy. Below us small ponds reflected the mountains and steep cliffs through which we walked. It is pure joy to be in the mountains, to see grand Rainier in all her glacial garb, and feel the intimate splendor of the flowers and trees, cliffs and lakes which cover her sides.
These day trips, guided by Kay’s Sister-in-law, Sarah, and shared with Sam (Kay’s brother), Imrose and Amit (friends from India), were an introduction to the Pacific Northwest Mountains. Now, following a few days in Tacoma to outfit the RV (thank you St. Vincent de Paul thrift store), fill her with food, find the things we so carefully stowed two weeks ago, Daryle and I are off on our own, camping the first night in the William O Douglas Wilderness area, east of White Pass, next to a small fishing lake. Weather has cooled down in the mountains, enough for us to want another blanket at night. Our journey of two begins… I am thankful for the chance and am humbled in my efforts to be open and fresh and present as we move on.
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