Day 5.

We drove up to Mount St. Helens.

And even though the clouds and the fog and the rain never permitted us a clear view of the dome, the other views we saw on the twisty, turny, up and down drive were amazing.

We stopped at a museum run by the Weyerhaeuser Timberland company and learned all about the eruption of 1980.

It was fascinating. And sobering. 

To see what sheer devastation nature is capable of, and then to see what re-growth and recovery look like, was very, very moving.

A couple we met on the train recommended we not miss Mount St. Helens and I'm glad we didn't.

It did mean we had to forego Portland. Which was definitely a bummer. But I guess we have to save something for the next time we travel out this way.

Behind us is the Toutle River. 

Moss grows everywhere.

Raspberries and Huckleberries, too.

This view.

I mean...seriously...

...can you even...

On our way down the clouds finally lifted and we felt it only appropriate to put the top down.

We drove along the Columbia River and ended up in Long Beach, Washington. At the very tail end of another storm. We still got out and walked.

And we able to see not 1, but 2 rainbows.

We stayed in a Victorian beach cottage about 2 blocks from the Ocean. It was picturesque. And damp.

After dinner we went for another walk along the beach. At sunset. 

The weather, the water and the sand were all very cold.

Josh took all these photos. I was too frozen.