"Learn more about the volcanoes in your backyard."

So... my Lady Friend and I drove down to the Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument on the Sunday before Presidents' Day. This was something she'd wanted us to do since I returned from Qatar in November.



We left Seattle sort of late in the day (but right on time, in the metaphysical sense). Perhaps 20 other people walked around the Coldwater Ridge visitors' center, where we arrived about an hour before sunset. I loaded film into the Rolleiflex (gifts from friends in Chicago and my uncle, thank you) and ambled off to get a few shots. The image above was captured along Route 504, before we reached the visitor center.





I was over on the eastern side of the center when a cigar puff of sulfur and ash came up from the dome. It was a small emission -- maybe a millionth of the volume that went into the air on March 8 -- but it was still a very electrifying moment. I mean, how many times do you watch a volcano blow off steam and ash from a couple miles away?



I walked toward the western side of the building and took a few more photos -- and, looking at them now, I think of how a telephoto lens would've made such a difference -- and then we left. The pale, orange ash cloud was still visible, drifting off toward Portland. We packed up and I struggled with the exposure dial on the Rollei -- it's been jammed for months. The visitor center had closed and the few of us who remained had to leave the lot. We parked at the top of the ridge and I took this last shot, plus one of the ascending moon.



And then, of course, there was the big ash blast two weeks later. In the course of reading more about the volcano, the 1980 eruption, and the resurgence of the local environment, I found out that there had been regular access for hikers who wanted to reach the rim.



Climbing Mount St. Helens is not currently permitted, however.
And even if it was, "Entry into the crater is strictly prohibited."




So... given all this renewed activity and interest, I think that the upcoming 25th anniversary programs will be big draws. "Remembering the May 18, 1980 Eruption: Stories from Eyewitness Survivors" will take place on May 14th at Johnston Ridge Observatory (depending on volcanic activity). On May 18, "there will be a free day at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the 1980 eruption. No fees will be charged on the Volcanic Monument, with the exception of climbing fees, including the visitor centers on State Route 504."

Also, the Cascades Volcano Observatory will host an open house on May 21 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. "Learn more about the volcanoes in your backyard," indeed.