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….
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