OOPSIE!

FE. Today’s destination is Tenzen Springs in Washington State. I like the concept of the place so much that the first reservation I made for our trip was for here. It consists of seven small cabins located around a central wide meadow, and each of the cabins has an attached large and private cedar tub that is fed by water from a local hot spring. Fabulous! This morning when I map the route to the cabin I realize it is clearly not located where I expect it to be….at the base of Mt. Rainier, but a little west from Hood River on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge (about 60 miles distant from where I thought it was). Rae just laughs when I tell her…she is the ideal travel companion. There is a boring explanation for my mess-up, but whatever…time to make lemonade. We cross the Columbia leaving Portland, head a bit north the follow the Lewis River west to the foot of Mt. St.Helens, then track back south to Tenzen. This involves driving for about 50 miles on FSD (Forest Service Development for you nerds) roads that can be, let’s say in varied conditions, but certainly very wiggly. I love it. Then we arrive at our destination, it is all that and more. The deck of our cabin looks over the mighty Columbia, it is truly peaceful, a pair of bald eagles soar overhead, and the soaking tub can accommodate at least three Felixes. Karma.

RN: The soaking tub is a Japanese-style ofuro. There is a shower outside next to it, so you wash yourself before you get into the tub. It’s completely private- a giant bathtub outside! Hot springs water trickles in and you can control the flow. The paddle behind Felix is what you use to mix the water so it heats more evenly. The overflow goes out the top and down a drain under the tub. The mineral in the water keeps conventional microorganisms from growing.

RN: We say “good by” to Mt Hood as we drive over the Columbia River to the state of Washington…

And “hello” to Mt St Helens…

The volcanoes in Washington and Oregon are dormant, not dead. Mt St Helens was dormant until March, 1980, when a series of earthquakes and steam vents started. Suddenly, without warning, it exploded on May 18, 1980, blowing out its top on the north side, killing 57 people. Prior to this eruption, Mt St Helens had a sharp peak and looked like Mt Hood. Afterwards, it had lost its peak and 1500 ft of elevation.

On this view of Mt St Helens, you can see the trail of the mud flow that came roaring down after the eruption. Look towards the top and find the notch in the middle, then move down the slope and where the snowlike stops, you can see the trail.