The weather has been kind of funky the last few days. In Portland the the last two days it has been drizzling and it isn’t changing here. Although precipitation puts a damper on exploring, it certainly hasn’t done any harm to the vegetation. It is like a jungle here. The flowers are going bonkers, all the berry vines are squirting up, the Oregon grape is crimson and emerald green and all the grass is just short of waist-high.
We took a spin east up the Cowlitz River today. WA-12 is the highway following the river and it runs from I-5 up to Mt. Rainier, narrowly skirting the north side of the St. Helens Volcanic Park. Sharp-eyed Peggy spotted a bald eagle guarding his nest along this route. We continued on 12 until we where about halfway between the massive volcanoes where we turned around maybe 15 miles east of Morton.
We noted that all the way up the river, which is owned, dammed and managed by Tacoma Power, there are Tacoma Power campgrounds and we went into the facility near Morton called Taidnapam Park, pronunciation unknown. It is a gorgeous facility with very large RV sites, full hookups, deep shade from tall conifers, boat launches and clean restroom and shower facilities. We will put this place on our list of possible good spots to stay on a return visit. It costs $35/night for full hookups but geezers older than 62 get $5 off. The drive up WA-12 from I-5 alone is worth the trip but camping there would be superb.
Some snapshots taken along our route can be seem if you click here