The Road to Hell
... is paved with shonkiness!
I was rudely awakened this morning by nerd chatter on the work WhatsApp group, operating largely in a more amenable time zone. Entirely my own fault for not putting the phone into sleep mode as was quickly pointed out to me!
Of course this did mean that I was up in good time to nip (yes, on foot!) to the nearby Mexican restaurant for breakfast. Foregoing my default heuvos rancheros, I decided to opt for the lighter Avocado Toast. Not so much on the light, hipster breakfast this one, but very tasty and with endless coffee of course.
Suitably fortified, I pack up and set off towards Mt St. Helens. I have a weird route today which involves driving up one side for the view and then driving right around the mountain to the visitor centre on the other side.
The drive up is surprisingly exciting as the roads are more than a little shonky. I’m shocked as this is not the US way - tourist attractions are generally very well looked after. This gets me wondering whether this is actually a tourist attraction or if I am just weird visiting scenes of natural disasters? Maybe I have become a dark tourist? One for the therapist.
Still, I haven’t been happier on this trip to be driving an off-road beast!
A few people eventually turn up including one chap who I was chatting to who was an ex-geologist. He thinks the park service has pretty much given up after the mid-2000s eruptions. He was explaining to me that he seems to be present at eruptions (purely by accident) around the world on a regular basis. Including twice at Mt St. Helens. He’s a nice enough guy, but I’m not sure I’m too keen on having Johnny Harbinger nearby, especially after spotting herd of elk desperately trying to get down the mountain…
… and then spotting this …
I’m sure it’s all nothing, but I’m outta there! This is what happened to a car that didn’t get out in time in 1980.
Still, I have to say, the views are beautiful - not just of Mt St Helens, but the other cascade peaks - Hood, Adams, Rainier and smaller mountains visible from the top. I was expecting Mordor, but it is surprisingly green ( it has been 44 years since the big one I guess), although there are still plenty of blasted trees. So, some dramatic shots and then I am braving the road down again. Some of the surface looks as though it would only take a loud burp to make it sheer off. Perhaps being in heavy car is not such a good idea. I was very impressed by the motorcyclists who made it up. They must have had a particularly torrid time of it.
At the visitor centre I watch a short documentary about the 1980 eruption, and realise that I am staying tonight in the valley which was completely swept away by the mudslide. Educational videos should come with a health warning.
Still Castle Rock it is for the night (of course, why would I not stay here?). Time for a little retail therapy before tea…
