Oxbow Park

Mom, Uncle Shanth, Tha-tha, Max, Quinn and I went to Oxbow Park today.  Oxbow is located about 5 miles outside of Rochester.  It is a preserved wilderness with a zoo, picnicking and trails.

 Here we are with two eagles.

There's a badger!

Goats!

There is a wolf right above Quinn's head, sitting on the rocks.

Grey foxes!  Next tot he zoo was an interactive play area-it looked like it was not quite finished.

 They had bridges and a gong

 Uncle Shanth is standing on Saturn.

 Other planets

After a short walk, we had a snack by the Zumbro River.

Max and I were tired and did not want to go on a short hike.

 We did go up on the bridge and watched dogs playing in the water.

Sunrise-Mt. Rainier

Mom is at it again.  I am starting to get tired driving out to volcanoes.  We went out because my cousins Surina & Maya are visiting from California.

 

 I wasn't very happy today, so Tha-tha , Surina, & Maya went on a short hike without us.  I did manage to give Mom this great picture. You are welcome.

 Sunrise is on the north side of Mt. Rainier.  It is more rustic than Paradise, but just as pretty.  This Lincoln Log place is the Visitor Center and housing for the park rangers.

Inside the Visitor Center they have information on volcanoes.  I had a great view of  the top of Mt. Rainier with this telescope.  Mom and I also learned that Washington State has 5 volcanoes! Wow!

This building has a shop and snack bar.

Tha-tha with Maya & Surina.

Maybe some day I will appreciate these visits.

Mt. St. Helen's- Johnston's Ridge

 The next morning we drove up to Johnston's Ridge.  It a foot hill that sits right in front of the volcano.  We had to drive to the end of Washington State Road 504.

We finally parked at Johnston's Ridge.

After these pictures we went to the interpretative center and learned more about the volcano.

On the way back, Jack got a picture with Big Foot.

Ape Cave-Mt. St. Helen's

My cousins Jack and Gavin are visiting from Chicago.  We (Mom, Dad, Tha tha, Uncle Colin, Jack, Gavin and myself) decided to go to Mt. St. Helen's.

 The forest on the south side of the mountain was dense, but ash and cool lava could be seen through the green.  Here is the entrance to Ape Cave.  Do you see the stairs going down?

The cave was not lit, so we had to bring our own lights.  We had head lamps and flashlights.

 As a group, we decided to do the easy leg of the cave.  It was 3/4 mi until we reached the end.

 

 The cave got bigger and smaller, the path got smoother and rougher.  Sometimes it was difficult to walk.

The cave also got cooler the farther we went.

This is Uncle Colin taking a picture of a natural lava formation.  It is named "The Meat Ball".

We were glad to finally find the entrance and go back up to the hot forest.

 When we resurfaced, there was a park ranger to answer our questions.  We all drank some water.

After a rest, we headed to the north side of Mt. St. Helen's.