Today P and I decided to attempt a drive up to Mt. St. Helens since the Johnston Ridge Observatory was supposed to be open May 1st, but as it turns out it’s not opening until May 18th. Oh well… We were able to drive up the majority of the way and still had decent views even though there was a good amount of snowfall. I was impressed with how well they keep the roads clear and free of potholes/debris.
After we left the top we decided to stop at some of the other observation points on the way down. As we descended the weather began to clear up (of course)and we were slightly tempted to go back up. As it turns out it was a good thing we didn’t because we got pounded by severe thunderstorms and hail which cleared up after approximately 20 minutes, but made visability extremely bad.
Here are some of the random pictures on our way up and down the 504:
We also made a stop to Jeff’s house to have a few pieces of wood for the photo box cut since I don’t have the correct saw or attachment for my Dremel.
Once we finished there we headed back home and got changed for P’s birthday dinner at Belly Timber on Hawthorne. The restaurant is an old house that has been beautifully redone and has seating on the lower level as well as the 2nd floor. The food wasn’t bad and the price was also much lower than I was anticipating. The only downside really was the loud noise of the other conversations going on around us. It probably would have been better if we were seated on the 2nd floor instead of by the bar.
