We finally made it to a place called Kelso. It became part of our itinerary when Kaitlin arranged to meet up with her friend Tiara (who had lived for 6 months in Australia). I had been liaising with Amy, Tiara’s Mum, and it had been arranged for Kaitlin to go to school with Tiara for a few days. Kaitlin was ecstatic to be going to an American school AND hanging with teenagers her own age. Kaitlin has always had good taste in friends, so it is an added bonus when the rest of the family are as nice as the friend. We camped at an RV Park just minutes from Tiara’s house. Amy had warned us that it rains a lot in Washington, and the weather obviously wanted to prove Amy right. We met the Waldron family, minus the Dad (Layne was in Peru for work) and brother (Camden was at University).
Kaitlin with her friend Tiara.
Amy, Akaisha, Destinny, Amber, Cathy and Flynn
Amber loved their dog, Angel.............
.....as did Kit!
Kaitlin went to school with Tiara in the morning whilst we chilled a little, got wet in the rain, and did our washing. (Yes, those mundane chores do need to be done even when travelling around a beautiful country). That evening we went for tea to Tiara’s family’s house, and it wasn’t long before we felt ike we had known everyone for years. The hot tub completed a lovely evening. We said goodbye to our eldest who we wouldn’t see for a few days (funnily enough, there were no tears from Kaitlin!!!)
We enjoyed a deicious dinner with the Waldron family
...and the kids even managed a "hot tub" experience!
Tiara was left holding the baby.............
....when the sweets (desserts) arrived.
And Angel let us know when it was time for bed!
The next day we headed out on a sightseeing adventure to see Mt St Helens Volcano. It had erupted in this area back in 1980 on the 18th May (on Trev’s birthday). Jai did a little bit of research and I have included what he has to say about Mount St Helens.
At the first of three Visitors Centres for Mount St Helens
Photos of the devastation the volcano caused.
This legendary volcano of Washington had thousands of people in awe and disbelief when it exploded on May 18th 1980, and sent a billowing cloud of ash 60,000 feet into the air!
The landscape surrounding the volcano was changed dramatically, as the whole North face of Mount St Helens was blown off, sending one of the biggest landslides recorded, cascading down the mountain at speeds of more that 155miles/hr!
Below is the stump of a massive tree that lived 9 miles away from the volcano.) Travelling 300 mph (480km per hour), the lateral blast reached this tree in about one minute, snapping the trunk as if it were a matchstick.
What was left of a massive tree 9 miles away.
Mud slides from the volcano are still evident today (behind the children).
The topography was changed forever
A nearby lake –Spirit Lake- was completely transformed, covered in a deep layer of ash and debris, just like the rest of the land.
There was a total of 58 human deaths that day and the following few days, and thousands of animals were fried.
Overall, the exploding of Mount St Helens was devastating, but life soon returned to the blast zone. Forests grew through the flattened land and animals returned. But the explosion of 1980 was never forgotten and the landscape will never be the same.
By Jai
Mount St Helen in the background
Silhouetted against Mt St Helen (after watching a movie about the volcano)
We were lucky to see the mountain with all the cloud around.
A small scale model of Mt St Helen showing the path the lava took after erupting.
A Volcano erupting, as depicted by Kit.
Chayse's version of events at Mt St Helen.
On the way back down, we came across the Big Foot, so the children couldn’t resist being photographed with the “Legend” himself!! Next door was what remained of an A frame house that was half buried by the ensuing mudslide after Mt St Helen erupted.
Flynn and Amber in front of "Big Foot"
Jai enjoying the legend of the "Big Foot"
A frame covered by the mudslide when Mt St Helen erupted
From mountains to the coast. We covered many miles, but wanted to go to Longbeach and get a taste of the beach again. We travelled south of Kelso into Oregon state where we travelled along a very scenic road taking us to a town called Astoria. We actually stopped here to do some shopping, but heard the “barking” of what sounded like seals…..and we had to investigate! At the harbour we found a colony of sea lions basking along the piers where the boats are moored.
The harbour crew leave lifejackets for young tykes to wear on the jetty.
Taking a closer look at the Sea Lions
An even closer look at them!
From there, we headed across the harbour from Oregon back to Washington where we then followed the coast line and along the peninsula. It was so good to see a beach again……….and as luck would have it, this was supposedly the “Longest Beach in the World.” We didn’t care what title it had, we were just glad to see the ocean!
Parking on the "Longest Beach in the World"
Looks like the boys are recreating Mt St Helen crater!
Beautiful messages in the sand.
How can I not cuddle this!
Kit having a helicopter ride with Dad
After camping at an RV place near the beach, we travelled along the peninsula more, discovering quaint little book stores and a lovely art gallery run by a beautiful soul called Cynthia. We had a great discussion about art, the beach, what inspires artists etc, and we left knowing a little more about this area and having seen some wonderful artwork from a variety of local artists. Cynthia also had the honour of winning this year’s art competition for the Kite Festival with a beautiful water colour painting. Flying kites in this town is a big thing and they even have a kite museum.
With Cynthia at the Art Gallery in a tiny town on the Penisula.
Amber outside the Art Gallery
Cute as a button! Maybe I need a water colour painting of this!
We headed back to the beach to walk along the boardwalk and look for a whale skeleton, but the kids (besides Chayse and Akaisha) were more interested in digging in the sand again.
More digging..........
....and more digging.....
...and more!
Walking on the boardwalk.
Looking at the whale skeleton
Heading back along the coast.
We left the coast and headed back to Kelso where we were back in time to see a Football match between Kelso High and another Highschool team. Whilst Kelso High didn’t win, there was lots of atmosphere with the cheerleaders, the band and of course, the players themselves.
Watching a local Football match.
Cheerleaders, Band Musicians and Footballers.
The game in progress.
Running through the flag at halftime.
We spent the last part of the evening with Amy, Tiara and Destinny (and Angel!). We can’t thank them enough for their kindness, hospitality and generosity in making Kaitlin’s and our stay in Kelso so much fun.
The Howitts with the Waldrons
"I say, I say....I had a fine time, a fine time indeed!"
The next blog I put up with be written by Kaitlin, giving her account of going to an American Highschool. Stay tuned….
Wow Jai-great story and the whole blog was great. Next one we read will be in Perth.
Love to all
Nan and Pop
Hi Mum and Dad,
Will pass on your comments to Jai. This was a long blog, but trying to catch up as we are nearly in LA (miles from Washington!) Camped on the beach near Santa Barbara at the moment. Hope you have a safe trip back to Perth, then Augusta. Thinking of you.
Love Cath, Trev and kids. xxx
Hey Howitt Clan
I think no matter which way you would have turned at your ‘sliding doors’ part of your adventure, you would have sought our amazing experiences! Mt St Helen’s looks amazing…I can remember when that happened! Imagine if it had been populated heavily around the area when it erupted? Akaisha is growing so quickly – and looking as gorgeous as all the rest of the Howitt kids…I look forward to Kaitie’s impressions of an american high school. Look after each other.
Love and Sunshine Aunty Trace XX
Hi Trace,
Yes. Mt St Helen erupted when Trev was just 13 years of age. The exhibits they have were a wonderful, if not a little scary, reminder of the event over 31 years ago. Hope you enjoy Kaitlin’s blog. Felt strange not to have her with us!
Cath 🙂
Hey guys, sounds like you are having a wonderful time and can’t wait to hear about Kaitlin’s experience. Was it just like the movies? Great blog Jai. I could do with some extra help writing my stuff. Glad to hear you are having a great time and no matter where you go you will meet wonderful people because you guys are so wonderful. Can’t wait to hear about LA and your impressions. Nearly November! Mel turned 40 on Thursday and escaped to Coral Bay with her new friends. Was very jealous that we couldn’t share it with her. Travel safely. Our house in Bin is finished so been very busy. Love to you all. xx
Hey Vick,
Lovely to hear from you. We are currently in LA and having a great time………hopefully will have time to catch up on writing a few more blog posts so you can hear about our adventures before they are old news! The next blog will be on travelling down the Oregon coast (before hitting California). How is your writing going? Bet Mel had a wonderful time.
Can’t wait to see your house in Binningup. Will you be down in the Xmas holidays?
Cath
Hey Vicki…you should call in for a cuppa next time you are down…Cath has the address X Tracey
Bet Kaitlin had a ball having some time to herself. Seems as though you are meeting some lovely families, and still fitting in loads of activities. The kids might like to know that the parents joined in blue earth at the school carnival, and all the kids got a chance to throw balls at the parents. Not sure who had the most fun – the kids or the parents! Blue numbers were right down this year at the carnival – due to one particular family having an extended holiday!!
Hi Jodie, Garry, Samantha and Lauren,
Would love to see photos of the sports carnival! You didn’t tell us which faction won!? Would have been fun to watch the kids throwing balls at the parents!
Thanks for keeping us up to date with the goings on in Burekup.
Cath and Trev and kids
PS…forgot to say i loved the drawings too!! XX
Hi Trace,
Thanks. I will tell the boys. Have a feeling you may not have understood a blog written by them!!!! Pictures tell a thousand words.
Cath 🙂