Mom visited us for a fun week of exploring Salt Spring Island off the east coast of Vancouver Island, and then climbing to the top of Mt. St. Helens to celebrate her 60th birthday!
Rocky shoreline in front of Erin Brook Cottage
On the trail up to the top of Mt. Erskine, we came upon several mysterious gnome doors… one in this tree and the other in a rock
The views from on top of Mt. Erskine were great, looking out across the channels and neighboring islands that lay between Salt Spring and Vancouver Island beyond
On top of Mt. Erskine
Mom practicing her relaxing skills at Erin Brook Cottage
Enjoying the weather on the porch of Erin Brook
Ramshackle floating hippy homes that rise and fall with the tides
At a sustainable farm which grew organic food and created interesting wood furniture, there was this building that had walls made of bottles held together by mortar
After eating a good meal at a waterfront restaurant in the little town of Vesuvius, we went to the beach of this nearby bay to watch the sun set over the sailboats
The lower elevations of the south face hike up Mt. St. Helens travels through forest
Mt. Adams keeps Mom company on a rest break while ascending Mt. St. Helens
With the lower forests long gone, the climb up Mt. St. Helens turns into boulder fields and loose pumice soil
Maybe a little tired, but Mom pushes on as she nears the top rim
On top of the Mt. St. Helens volcanic rim, sitting on the edge looking at the 360 degree world around us! (the crater, Spirit Lake, and Mt. Rainier are behind us here)
Standing on the rim of Mt. St. Helens, with Mt. Adams in the distance. Mom is showing off the custom shirt we made for her: “I’m not over the hill… I’m on TOP of it!”
And in honor of Mom’s 60th birthday on this day, we also brought a surprise high altitude birthday cupcake…