Thursday, Sept 20, 2018 - John's Brush with Fame and the Seattle Sights

So many famous musicians and bands have called Seattle home - Heart, Kurt Cobain, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Pearl Jam, Judy Colins, and Queensryche just to name a few.  Greenwood Memorial Park is the final resting place for another one of those famous musicians - James "Jimi" M. Hendrix.  After vandalism to his original resting place in the memorial park, Jimi's father created this incredible memorial for his talented and beloved son. Four other members of Jimi's family, including his parents, are now interned at the memorial as well.

A beautiful tribute to an incredibly talented man.

We made our way through the congested streets of Seattle - THANK YOU MICHAEL FOR DRIVING!  

CenturyLink Field where the Seattle Seahawks played (GO PACK GO)!!

Steep hills in this city can make for an interesting commute.  Not a city for driving a stick-shift vehicle.

After finding a place to park, we made our way around the city on foot.  Grabbed a quick bite to eat at one of the cafes and we were on our way.  One of our first stops was a place Michael and Lauri visit annually on Michael's birthday - Emerald City Guitars.  Michael is a musician who was inspired by his Gramma Arlene.  She played the guitar and could incredibly do so well into her 90s.  I was blessed to meet her during my visit in 2012, but she passed away a couple of years ago.  Michael definitely inherited her talent!

http://www.emeraldcityguitars.com/

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIES!

Emerald City Guitars is visited by famous musicians visiting/touring the area.  The above picture was drawn by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.  

While we were visiting the shop, a video was being recorded.  Liz Herrin, one of the shop's sales associates and guitar techs, told us an interview was being recorded for their upcoming YouTube video.  The interviewee was Tom Petersson, bass guitar player of Cheap Trick!    On our way out, our group walked passed the open doorway to where the interview was taking place.  Tom Petersson asked out loud - "Who are those people?"  My husband raised his hand and gave Tom a hearty Midwestern wave. Tom Petersson waved back with a big smile.  How cool is that!  John's brush with fame.  :)

Tom Petersson (an Internet image).

Here is the link to the YouTube interview with Tom Petersson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2E74CtpufA

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018 Our Drive North to Seattle and Snoqualmie Falls

A travel day today - leaving the resort and heading back to Seattle to spend a couple of days with Michael and Lauri at their home.  We highly recommend Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, Washington.  Great place to stay, nice accommodations and reasonably priced with a great restaurant included.

I see the resemblance.  :)

We overheard these planters were locally made - love this idea!!

https://lonefirresort.com/

 Yale Lake

Once we were in Seattle, we made a stop at Snoqualmie Falls - beautiful scenery and not far  from where Michael and Lauri live.  Most of these next couple of days were a duplicate for me since I was out visiting in 2012, but it was extra special to have John with me this time sharing the sights.

http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/

Tomorrow we've got roaming around Seattle  on our agenda.  Now it's time to find Michael and Lauri's home and visiting with our friends.  :)

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 - Mt. St. Helens

It's never tiring to wake up to that fresh crisp mountain air -- good for the soul.

Today we are venturing to Mt. St. Helens with a stop along the way up to a gift shop.  When I was here in 2012 Lauri and I made a stop to view this majestic sight on our way back from Portland, OR.  We had a great time driving up to Johnston Observatory - beautiful scenery with the winding roads and lots of dizzy trees.  Now both of our husbands will be able to see the same as we did.  Michael journeyed here years ago and fondly reflected upon his trip as he talked about it with us.  

Our first stop, however, was the gift shop.  This shop was more than simply souvenirs for the enthusiastic traveler.  Anyone who knows my husband, knows of his deep interest and research for the elusive Sasquatch.  He's read so many publications and has listened to many radio broadcasts and television shows over the years - it's more than a simple interest for him.  All creatures at one time were unknown to man...so what makes it so different for Sasquatch and the non-believers?

This gift shop has photos of that fateful day in May 1980, but it also has artifacts and literature about Sasquatch.  And rightfully so since Washington state is one of the main regions for sightings of the elusive creature.  The shop now is under new ownership since 2012.  The gal running the shop was delighted we stopped in.  She took our picture with one of the casts that the public can hold and inspect.  She also explained about the case of castings from other sightings, two were from the new owner of the shop.

In the photo above, I am pointing to a casting from the Patterson/Gimlin expedition from October 21, 1967.  This cast was donated by Dr. Jeff Meldrum, who is a professor of anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University.  John has read his reports and books on this particular topic.  

I was happy to see John's interest piqued in this as it had been waning in the last year due to all of the hype in reality shows that are simply out to make money off this topic or to make fun of it instead of the true research.  

Outside of the shop stood a statue of one artist's rendition of the creature.  Sadly, the original statue was burned down by someone back in the 1990s.  Michael also shares an interest in this creature.  Glad these two could finally meet and talk.

Michael and John with Sasquatch

Below are photos of the partially constructed A-frame cabin that was destroyed by the blast on that day in May 1980.  These pictures depict the depth of ash, silt and mud that came rumbling down that day and the next.

The below picture shows the outline of the mountain before it blew out and the actual crater it left behind after all was said and done.

The above shows the flow after it blew.

Still making our way up to see the mountain selection of the day, we made another stop at a gift shop for more souvenirs we could not live without and to take a couple more photos of this beautiful area.

And here we are - we made it!  

Well, Mother Nature cooperated for the most part.  Still has a cloud in front of the crater, but at least there is sunshine today to be able to see just a little bit of the snow-covered peak jutting out above the cloud.

The basin of the mountain

To the left in this picture you can see Spirit Lake, if you squint.  This lake was occupied by several lodges, including camps of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as the lodge owned by one of the victims of the blast, Harry R. Truman.

Michael and John studying the informational boards.

Taking in the view and all its glory.

Stumps from the devastation

and

Proof of Mother Nature's ability to return in all her glory.

We ended this great day with an awesome burger dinner (Michael had fish and chips) at the restaurant on the resort grounds, lots of storytelling, many laughs between four friends, another game of 99 and fabulous memories made.  

Thanks for stopping by!!

Monday, Sept 17, 2018 - The Ape Caves

We love doing things we've never done before; not too much fear or anxiety to try something new.  We've been in caves before but today's journey with Michael and Lauri was a bit different for us.  We journeyed into the third longest lava tube in the North America known as the Ape Cave.  Below are two links describing its history and naming.  

History of the Apes Cave

Naming of the Apes Cave

We knew it was going to be a bit on the chilly side venturing down into the earth.  I had three layers on and was comfortable.  The temperature is a "cozy" 46 degrees.  You can pay for a lantern or bring your own flashlight.  The four of us had our own flashlights.  It's not a tour - so you go on your own. All you need to pay for is a parking pass for $5 (Thank you Michael and Lauri) and your good to go.  

Once in the cave, it is absolute darkness without a light.  Great place for bats to hold over for the winter, along with mice and a few other creepy crawlies.  All was good though - didn't see any critters.  Definitely need good hiking shoes for the rougher terrain in certain parts of the tube.  If you have issues with claustrophobia, this hike isn't for you.

You cannot touch the walls or remove any rocks - just walk and look.  And truthfully, you really don't want to touch anything because of the lava slime on the walls and critter droppings.  Sadly, it does not seem to matter to some folks - they always seem to feel the need to leave their markings even though you've been requested not to.  There were sections that had a lot of graffiti spray painted, which is always a shame.  

The four of us decided it was best to take the walk down the shorter of the two tubes, which was 3/4 of mile hike each direction.  Leave the longer tube for the whipper-snappers and experts.  Not the 50-somethings with creaky bones.  :)  

Below are some of the awesome pictures John took while we were inside. 

Entrance to the cave

Venturing down below

Michael, Lauri and myself (John taking pictures)

Just inside where the last spect of natural light can be seen.

A good view of the depth and height of the tube.

Looking through one of the holes

The markings were so unique!

Michael and Lauri ahead of us gives you a view of the height - Michael is over 6' tall.

Lots of curves and corners to follow

The Panic Button????  LOL!  Nope.  Not sure what these were for; one was embedded along the walls every few feet.  At the top was it read "Ape Cave"; at the bottom was the number; on the left was the National State Park symbol; and on the right was the silhouette of Sasquatch.

Another hole showing the different minerals and sediments. 

Another close-up of a "panic button"

Natural formations/striations 

This formation is called a meat ball.  The Wikipedia link posted above described this formation.

A teardrop-shaped recess in the ceiling of the lava tube.

The end of our walking - beyond this point you were needing to crawl through as the space narrowed considerably -- even I would have to duck down just beyond this point.  

The light at the beginning of the tunnel.

Our assent out.

What an experience!!

Michael and Lauri taught us a new card game called 99 - and interestingly I WON THE GAME - I never win at games....so I had to gloat for just a little while.  ;)  Beginner's luck.  

We ended this great day with a campfire while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and listening to Michael's hysterical story telling.  

Thanks to Noelle ( Michael and Lauri's daughter) and her husband Colen for letting us borrow your chairs!

Tomorrow's agenda:  Driving to that little mountain known as Mount St. Helens.  Should be a repeat kind of day with the weather beautiful and sunny, so hopefully we will be able to see what is left of the top and the enormous basin.  Lauri and I were there in 2012, but we weren't meant to see it that day - too cloudy.  Excited to be able to see it this time around.  

Thanks for stopping by!