40th Anniversary of the Mount St Helens Volcano Eruption

It’s been 40 years since the cataclysmic eruption of the Mount St Helens Volcano, located in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. I was living about 80 miles north of the volcano and can remember watching the plume of ash from my residence on that day, May 18, 1980. There was no internet or social media back then. We had to watch TV or listen to radio to keep up on what was happening real time. All throughout that eventful day viewers were glued to their television sets to watch the event unfolding before their eyes. For weeks and months afterward, the volcano continued to steam, and viewers and scientists were able to watch a dome start to build within the crater. A Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument was eventually declared within a few years along with a visitor center and observatory built within a few miles of the volcano. Visitors from around the world continue to be awed by its looming presence, not knowing if and when it will erupt once more.

I’ve put together a few images I’ve taken over the years from the many times visiting the monument. The volcano is still an active one and will eventually, one day, erupt again.

Dome building event

Newly created Coldwater Lake from the eruption

Ash blown landscape

Destroyed hillsides of forests from the volcanic blast

Rising steam from the crater dome as viewed from observatory

Spirit Lake Memorial Highway

Return of abundant plant life to the area

 

All photos property of Peggy A Thompson

 

Thanksgiving Day Blessing

(Photo: Ginkgo leaves and fruit)

We Thank Thee

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
Father, we thank Thee.
For tender grass so fresh, so sweet,
Father, we thank Thee.

For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For blue of stream and blue of sky,

Father, we thank Thee.
For pleasant shade of branches high,
Father, we thank Thee.
For fragrant air and cooling breeze,
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For this new morning with its light,
Father, we thank Thee.
For rest and shelter of the night,
Father, we thank Thee
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Color Part II

As promised, here are more photo images of the spectacular autumn leaf color we have been experiencing this season. They may be my last leaf photos of the season. Enjoy!

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All images property of Peggy A Thompson

Autumn Color

I was out leaf peeping again this week while the leaves were still putting on a colorful display in my region. Some species have already shriveled away while others are still hanging on their branches, but just barely. I think that this may be the last week to get anymore photos. Our weather will be turning, with lots of rain and wind in the next few days. Whatever leaves are still hanging will most likely blow away. I put together another short photo show that lasts just a little over 2 minutes.  I have even more photos that I plan to put together in another post, soon. Enjoy!

All images property of Peggy A Thompson

 

Chrysanthemums in Bloom

The one flower I look forward to enjoying its blooms during the autumn season is the Chrysanthemum, commonly known as a Mum Flower. There are over a dozen types of chrysanthemums, each with their own distinctive characteristic. Here are a few photo images I took while visiting the Grand Floral Display at the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, located in Tacoma, Washington. The floral display officially runs through November 24. I highly recommend viewing this most beautiful display of flowers.

All images property of Peggy A Thompson