Homecoming, Ohio and Michigan, October 2006

Jon and I decided to come home in October. We went to Swanton, Ohio for Nick Jankowski's memorial celebration, visited his Mom, Mia, Dad and Denise in Toledo, Ohio, and then went up to Bay City, Michigan for a day of hanging out with my family and friends. It was nice to see everyone, and I even made a stop at Dacia and Kate's! We had a great time.

Oops....pics not ready

I just had to put this one in there. It's the "before" picture of the nice group shot. As you can see, Noah's really excited about the picture, and Bradley has an aching back because he's getting old.

Nick's Memorial Party 2006

This was the gang leftover the next morning at Nick's Memorial Party 2006. Jankowski's house, Swanton, Ohio.

My immediate family minus my sis

This is my immediate family, minus my sister, Becki.

We're a small but sturdy clan.

Almost all of my family...

October, 2006. Nena's house. Almost all of Steph's gang is here.

Newberry Crater, late summer 2006....

I can't remember if this trip was at the end of August or early September. Todd, Kirstin, Jon and returned to Newberry Crater for a relaxing weekend. We didn't take very many photos, just some cool sunsets. Our campsite was right at the lake, so as soon as we saw the impending beautiful sunset, we were quick to grab our cameras. Enjoy.

hot couple

Jon and I

Silhouettes

Super K and hot Toddy posing in front of a gorgeous backdrop.

After a long hiatus...

After a long hiatus, the pics from this spring and summer are all on!! We have Nena's May visit, Jon's Alaska fishing trip, campin' with Hot Toddy and Super K and spelunking at Ape Cave.

Remember, not all the new pics are on this page. To see all of the new pics from this Spring and Summer, go to the "Archives" section on the right and click on August.

Enjoy!

Steph

natural sky light

As we approached the exit to the cave, we came upon a natural sky light (aka...hole in the ceiling). After walking underground for over an hour it was nice to see green moss and light.

what a cheeseball

I had time to goof around in there.

more terrain shots

I'm trying to get up!

Jon took this photo to illustrate the terrain upon which we were climbing. It was fun. And yes, I am going to go into that little hole up there. Claustrophobics; beware!

Striations

Notice the striations, or layers of lava flow that cooled during different time periods. There were a couple of different kinds of lava in the tube as well.

Inside Ape Cave

Ape Cave is one of the lava tubes formed via Mt. St. Helens. Learn more about Ape Cave here. There is an upper and lower level. We of course took the upper level, the most difficult. I have to say, it's for sure one of the most difficult hikes I've done simply because of the terrain. Check out our other spelunking activities at Lava River Cave, Newberry Crater National Monument, Central Oregon.

The new "fin" inside the dome

This is a good view of Mt. St. Helens' new "fin" feature that is growing about 6 ft. a day inside the crater's dome. It's been present since May, 2006 after the old "whaleback" feature collapsed. The "fin" and the whaleback look similar. (Click on the image and make it bigger) When Jon and I visited this day in August, it was heavily pluming. Yikes! :) Check out this close-up image of the whaleback taken back in 2005.

Mt. St. Helens pluming from a distance

A far away picture of Mt. St. Helens on our way to Windy Ridge viewpoint. Notice the difference between this image and pre-1980 Mt. St. Helens before her eruption.

Spirit Lake Panorama

This is a panorama of Spirit Lake, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington.

The gang's all here

Say, does a person need to wear a bright yellow jumpsuit to get into your gang?

The town of Sitka, Alaska

No, not Cicily, Alaska for all you Northern Exposure fans. This is Sitka, Alaska and fishing is big business.

Another mountain?

More beautiful surroundings in Sitka.

background's pretty good

Well I guess that's not a bad backdrop for a fishin' trip now is it? Sitka, Alaska. June 2006.

Eagle goes for the kill

Jon captures an eagle headed towards his kill in the water.

Nice chair buddy

Hmmm...something here is not quite right....

How do you work this thing?

Fisherman John looking perplexed by the intricacies of his digital camera.

Aye Aye, Captain!

Jon leading the crew at the helm. June, 2006. Sitka, Alaska.

Nena beaner and I

Had to put this one in here because it's a good one of Nena and I. We're at Salt Creek Falls.

Salt Creek Falls, Oakridge OR

This is Salt Creek Falls, the 2nd highest waterfall in Oregon. You know the first-- guess? Yep, Multnomah Falls. This fall is located just outside Oakridge, in Southern Oregon. Nena, Jon and I visited on our way back from Crater Lake in May, 2006. It's early in the season, thus the waterfall is raging.

tippin' one back

So this is what happened AFTER the smooching...or before, hmmm. Can't remember.

Smoochie

So, this is what people do when there's a mega thunderstorm outside the tent and you're at least a few thousand feet up, oh, and you're next to a lake. What cha gonna do?

Hot Toddy and Super K at Walton Lake, Eastern Oregon. Ochocho National Forest.

follow the leader...

Todd, Kirstin, Jon and I hiking the trail at John Day Fossil Beds Unit. John Day, Eastern Oregon. Also refer to Jon's pic of John Day Painted Hills Unit.

black n white

I just thought this one looked cool in black and white. Jon stopping to read one of the interpretive signs along the John Day Fossil Beds unit trail.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Panorama

This photo was taken outside of the visitor's center at the Fossil Beds unit of John Day.

lookin' out

The view from atop Strawberry Mt.

He's got legs...

Check out that sexy dude. Yeah, the one front and center, silly.

I'm Queen of the World!!!

That's me standing at the summit. Strawberry Mt. Eastern Oregon.

the cute couple

Jon and I standing side by side after our trudge up Strawberry Mountain. We hiked this Mt. in our Tevas! We kick butt. Oh, and Jon was sicker than a dog too. He knew I wanted to summit that day; that's true wuv.

There she is

As you're coming up the Strawberry Mountain trail, you can see it looming ahead. Elevation of summit: approx. 9,300 ft.

Movies of Mt. St. Helens from Johnston Observatory

Check out these movies that I took with my camera up at Johnston Observatory, Mt. St. Helens, Washington. Beware-- you might have to crane your neck to the side. I forgot that *duh* when you turn the camera, it also means you change the movie screen. Since this version of Blogger doesn't allow downloads, you have to click on the links below. Just use you back button on your browser to get back to the blog. By the way, it takes a minute to download, so if nothing happens right away, don't worry. Go grab a snack, especially those of you with dial up.

http://www.sthomaslibrary.net/DSCN0562.mov


http://www.sthomaslibrary.net/DSCN0564.mov

Mt. St. Helens from Johnston Observatory

This is a slightly different view of Mt. St. Helens from the deck of Johnston Observatory in May.

Mt. St. Helens landscape

Nena and I, on the way to Johnston Observatory, May 2006. The landscape was breathtaking during this stretch. It is worth it to take 504 to go just to Johnston.

Strike a pose

Nena strikes a pose near a twisted tree remnant of the 1980 blast.

Inside the crater dome of Mt. St. Helens

Inside view of the dome of Mt. St. Helens in May, when it's still buried in snow.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Nena and I at Cannon Beach, along HWY 101, Oregon coastline. Behind us is the famously photographed Haystack Rock. The rock and its tidepools serve as it's own bio-habitat for bird species. We have other pics of Haystack Rock on this blog from last summer. It's a popular summer destination, though you can tell that in May it's still a bit nippy. The Oregon coast is always windy, and you're more likely to enjoy flying a kite or going for a stroll than you would be to "lay out" and catch rays.

Wizard Island

Last summer, we took the tour boat around Crater Lake to this island. Wizard island is another cinder cone that has formed and risen from the caldera of ancient Mt. Mazama. It is the only cone that is tall enough to be visible from the surface, all other cones remain below. We hiked to the top of the island and Jon was even bold enough to take a freezing dip.

Right side of Crater Lake

The nice part about being at Crater Lake in May is that the tour boats aren't on the water yet. This makes for a pristine, crystal clear view of the perfect reflection. I challenge anyone to find a more pristine mountain lake in the US. Can't be done, folks.

ET Phone Home

If you look close, doesn't the Crater rim behind wizard island, look like the face of ET? You have to look close at the ledge part that sticks out. Maybe I'm just weird. :) If you don't believe me, just click on the image to blow it up-- sweet size.

Nena, Jon, and I at Crater Lake: May 2006

Nena and I standing in front of wizard island. You can see that the rim is still blocked in with snow. We were able to crawl up to this viewpoint to catch a glimpse of this awe-inspiring deep, blue, lake.

Triple Falls

The path to zen...

Weird tree formation (looks like a seahorse)

Greetings from the Columbia Gorge

This Postcard was taken courtesy of Mr. Jon (A.K.A. Ansel wannabe)

Ponytail Falls