Awaking to mist, the Northwest is proving its name of poor weather as we go into the park and check with the ranger about conditions higher up. No change he says unless you are on the mountain top, clear, but at the highest Paradise Rd. is only 5000 ft. We decide to go another time perhaps and head to Mt St. Helens back side nearby.
We have good views of some of the devastation but no sight of the Mountain still in clouds. We wonder at first about the somewhat burnt, somewhat dead tress standing around and big trees looking burnt but lying on the ground with full roots exposed. And then it dawns on us that these are still from the blast of hot air and ash that the volcano spewed 30 years ago. We head down toward the Columbia River Gorge and along the River. We stop in Stevens for the County Fair! Gerrit’s first. And get the fish Hatchery right before it closes and a lovely lady agrees to take us around. As we head down the river we notice blue skies ahead!! We do know that Eastern Oregon/Washington is usually better weather and this is very dramatic! Leaving clouds as a line behind us and heading into the sun like there was never anything else.
We stop at Hood River for some amazing scenery and watching at one of the best wind and kite surfing locations there is. We take some of the old 30 Hwy. for spectacular views before the 84 Freeway was built. We head down to The Dalles and cross over back into calmer Washington side and a spot by the river for sleeping. A cooked dinner in the van and we are happy sleeping on the River.
Awaking to mist, the Northwest is proving its name of poor weather as we go into the park and check with the ranger about conditions higher up. No change he says unless you are on the mountain top, clear, but at the highest Paradise Rd. is only 5000 ft. We decide to go another time perhaps and head to Mt St. Helens back side nearby. 
We have good views of some of the devastation but no sight of the Mountain still in clouds. We wonder at first about the somewhat burnt, somewhat dead tress standing around and big trees looking burnt but lying on the ground with full roots exposed. And then it dawns on us that these are still from the blast of hot air and ash that the volcano spewed 30 years ago. We head down toward the Columbia River Gorge and along the River. We stop in Stevens for the County Fair! Gerrit’s first. And get the fish Hatchery right before it closes and a lovely lady agrees to take us around. As we head down the river we notice blue skies ahead!! We do know that Eastern Oregon/Washington is usually better weather and this is very dramatic! Leaving clouds as a line behind us and heading into the sun like there was never anything else. 
We stop at Hood River for some amazing scenery and watching at one of the best wind and kite surfing locations there is. We take some of the old 30 Hwy. for spectacular views before the 84 Freeway was built. We head down to The Dalles and cross over back into calmer Washington side and a spot by the river for sleeping. A cooked dinner in the van and we are happy sleeping on the River.
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