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!

Salt Spring Island Shoreline In Front Of Erin Brook Cottage

Rocky shoreline in front of Erin Brook Cottage



Gnome Door In Tree On Trail Up To Top Of Mt. Erskine, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

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



Scott And Karen On Top Of Mt. Erskine, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia Near Vancouver Island

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



Karen And Mom On Mt. Erskine Overlook, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia Near Vancouver Island

On top of Mt. Erskine



Mom Relaxing At Erin Brook Cottageon Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Mom practicing her relaxing skills at Erin Brook Cottage



Porch Of Erin Brook Cottage, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Enjoying the weather on the porch of Erin Brook



Floating Homes Houseboats On Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada

Ramshackle floating hippy homes that rise and fall with the tides



Wall Made Of Bottles And Mortar At Farm On Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

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



Sunset Over Bay At Vesuvius, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada

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



Karen And Mom On The Lower Trail Leading Up Mt St Helens South Face To Crater Rim Summit

The lower elevations of the south face hike up Mt. St. Helens travels through forest



Mom With Mt. Adams View On Trail To Crater Rim Summit Of Mt St Helens

Mt. Adams keeps Mom company on a rest break while ascending Mt. St. Helens



Mom And Karen Climbing Boulder Field South Face Of Mt St Helens, Washington

With the lower forests long gone, the climb up Mt. St. Helens turns into boulder fields and loose pumice soil



Mom Nearing Top Of Mt St Helens Near Crater Rim Summit

Maybe a little tired, but Mom pushes on as she nears the top rim



Mom And Scott On Top Of Mt St Helens Crater Rim With View Of Spirit Lake And Mt Baker

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)



Mt St Helens Crater Rim View To Mt Adams

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!”



Birthday Cake On Mt St Helens With Mt Baker View

And in honor of Mom’s 60th birthday on this day, we also brought a surprise high altitude birthday cupcake…