USA has some awesome National Parks. We’ve visited Olympic, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St Helens during the last few days.
I mentioned a little about Olympic in the last post. It’s a huge park and it covers both rainforest, lakes and mountains as well as the coast. My first shot today is of one of the tide pools on the coast. We were lucky enough to visit while it was low tide.
Mt. Rainier National park was beautiful. The day was clear and visibility good. I was disappointed during our last visit because we missed the wildflowers. This summer seems to be later and they are in full bloom. We wandered around the portion of the park called Paradise. The name is perfect because it is indeed Paradise.
Our final visit was to see Mt. St Helens, which erupted in 1980 causing great devastation. The area has regenerated but it’s still easy to see the damage with matchstick-like tree trunks, the lava flow area plus the side of the mountain that collapsed.
Of the three my favorite was Mt. Rainier but I’d recommend a visit to any of the three if you have a chance. They’re all beautiful.
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I’ve been to Mt. Ranier and Mt. St. Helen’s. Now Olympic is in my sights. #1 in particular seems to have an ambition to go there.
by Susan Helene Gottfried September 6th, 2008 at 4:29 amOh, how beautiful! I’ve never been to the northwestern part of the U.S., but I’ve always wanted to.
by Lucinda September 6th, 2008 at 6:40 amMount St. Helen’s did do a number.
I’m fascinated by Volcanoes and mountains. I’ve only flown over the Rocky’s, (on the way to Nationals) I still haven’t seen them up close and personal.
Soon though. Me and DH are planning a road trip in 2010 to visit his sister in Alberta. She’s nestled right close to the mountains! :)
by Amy Ruttan September 6th, 2008 at 10:14 amSusan – we enjoyed Olympic. We stayed at the Log Cabin Resort, which was right on Lake Crescent. It was old and nothing flash but the setting was gorgeous.
Lucinda – it really is pretty and parts of it remind me of New Zealand.
Amy – We really enjoyed the Rocky Mountains and Colorado. It was an oasis of green after the dry plains!! We New Zealanders need our green fix.
by Shelley Munro September 6th, 2008 at 4:00 pmSomeday *jealous sigh*
by Wylie Kinson September 7th, 2008 at 6:02 pmWonderful places to visit all! One of my favorite places to visit when I’m home is to head out to the coast for tide pool watching! Glad you’re having fun! We’re actually heading out west at the end of the month ourselves, maybe I’ll catch some of these fabulous sights myself.
by Amy W. September 8th, 2008 at 6:50 pmHugs,
-Amy W.
It’s hard to believe that Mt St Helen’s erupted so long ago. Seems like yesterday….
by Cheryl Brooks September 15th, 2008 at 3:27 pmSeeing the pictures from your trip make me realize just how little I’ve seen of my country.
I really need to get out more!
I think we’re all the same, Cheryl. Hubby and I have only recently started exploring New Zealand. It used to be cheaper to fly to Australia than to the South Island. Luckily times have changed. The South Island is beautiful.
by Shelley Munro September 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm