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Kelly
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| Posted: March 07 2006 at 7:59am | IP Logged
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Has anyone here visited the volcano, Mt. St. Helens, and is it a worthwhile visit? We might have the opportunity to drive there this summer, but it's a bit of a jaunt, so I'm picking our destinations with the Charlotte Mason "field-trip-worthiness" score in mind...
Thanks, Kelly in FL
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MacBeth
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| Posted: March 07 2006 at 9:10am | IP Logged
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I cannot wait to hear any replies. Such a great idea for a field trip. I would loooooove to go, especially with an earth science student in tow. Don and I realized that it would be less expensive to visit Iceland for a volcano study...it's closer to NY. Maybe someday...
But it you go, Kelly, you must promise to post photos, narrations, etc. 
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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Chari
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| Posted: March 07 2006 at 11:54am | IP Logged
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Kelly,
I remember you mentioning a trip out here. I would LOVE to see your whole itinerary. Will you share it? Or, at least privately?
The kids and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest two years ago. We did not go all the way to Mount Saint Helen's itself, but we DID go to the visitor's center, a few miles 2-10??? off of I-5. It was absolutely wonderful. We spent about three hours there!
We watched both movies that they have, checked out and tried all of their exhibits. And, walked their viewing deck. It was such a beautiful day! Who knew I was going to be up all night in a hotel room with a croupy toddler
The funny thing is, we live at the base of one of the other volcanoes in the Pacific Rim.....and the movies scared us to death..........we were afraid to come home  In one of the movies, they specifically show and discuss Mount Shasta.......yikes!
The other movie was focused on the eruption of MSH......and while accurate.......could be a bit too scary for unadventurous kids. Well-made movie! I think it may be on netflix???
Tell me where your "bit of a jaunt" is from, and I will tell you if I think it is worth it.
In a winterwonderland for the moment,
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Kathryn UK
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| Posted: March 07 2006 at 12:19pm | IP Logged
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Kelly, if you haven't found it already, there is a book  : Volcano, the Eruption and Healing of Mount St.Helens by Patricia Lauber. I haven't seen it myself, but one of our Mater Amabilis planning committee checked it out for us and highly recommended it.
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Mary G
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| Posted: March 07 2006 at 2:59pm | IP Logged
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I remember when this blew -- I had just left Spokane for summer break (I was attending Gonzaga Univ) and the next Sunday it blew. When we got back in August -- there was still ash on the ground.
A funny story -- I had a dear friend -- the asst dean of Arts and Science -- a little bitty Edmund Gwenn-type of priest -- who had been out of town when MSH blew and the cops closed the border between Idaho and Washington state (they didn't know what would happen with the ash -- was it toxic, etc). ANYWAY, Fr. Carroll and another Jesuit snuck back into the state so that they could get back to the Jesuit House! He just sort of giggled when he told me the story in the Fall!
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3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Kelly
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| Posted: March 07 2006 at 11:33pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, all, for the info. MacBeth, Iceland sounds pretty darn cool-so you share your experiences and I'll share ours! Kathryn, I *hadn't* seen that book, but I just ordered it! Chari, that's just the info I was looking for, re: the visitor center and so on. As for the "little out of the way" part of the jaunt, well, we're driving from Florida, destination Wyoming. From Wyoming it's still a trek, but not a totally outlandish one, as long as you incorporate cool stops along the way! However, I doubt if we're as intrepid as Mary's Fr. "Edmund-Gwenn" friend
Historically speaking, we always like to have themes to our trips, usually a couple. This year, I think we'll concentrate on the Classical Era (stealing a music history time demarcation) from @1750 to @1850, since we're currently studying American (and other) colonial/Revolutionary activities now-- so this would leave the door wide open for all sorts of other interesting excursions, including dc's latest obsession, Jean Lafitte! We've done part of the Lewis and Clark trail before, but there's plenty we didn't cover, and goodness knows there's loads of history in that era in New Mexico.
In the science arena, I haven't decided if we should focus on "Odd Geologic Phenomena" or just zero in on general cool geology, flora and fauna out west. If we DO decide to include the Pacific Northwest, I'd like to use the expeditions of Alessandro Malaspina, royal explorer for the Court of Spain from 1789 to 1794 for a "spine"...though he took *his* scientific expedition from Mexico City all the way to Alaska, then on around the world (a little farther than I can handle, thank you!).
We haven't figured out exactly which route to follow yet, just know we will be in Louisiana, Jackson Hole and Santa Fe somewhere along the way. Still filling in the Points In Between! As you can see, there's still a load of fine-tuning to do 
Whatever route we take, I like to load up on living books, science and history alike, as well as music, that is pertinant to the areas we visit, which the children (and adults) can then read/listen-to along the way. Nothing like reading The Tree in the Trail, as you DRIVE the Trail---or reading a whole book about Mt. St. Helens right before you get to see it! One year we immersed ourselves in Civil War books, lectures, music, songs, everything, as we visited various battle sites. It really was almost like time travel: eating, sleeping, breathing and seeing so much history simultaneously, in dolby stereo, as it were. It was almost surreal!
OK, I think I've written 'way more than you wanted to know.  But thanks, again, all for the great information and input.
Kelly in FL
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materdei7
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| Posted: March 08 2006 at 12:12am | IP Logged
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Kelly,
My husband and I moved here post major eruption(1980),
and have been to the Johnson vistor center once in the
late 1980's. It is well worth the trip, especially now as the volcano is growing a new cone at such a rapid rate, it is even baffling the geo-specialists!
Here is a good website with a live cam shot of the mountain.(viewable most daylight hours).
We live way northwest of Mt.St.Helen's,(near the Canadian border) but, if you need any other trip tips for Wa. State,we'd more than
happy to help! George Vancouver(of Britian) was a big
explorer out here on the coastal NW states/Canada.
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/index.shtml
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/
this link has great info for trips to the mountain,etc.
Blessings,
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Kathleen, mother of five on earth, three in heaven.
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Kelly
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| Posted: March 08 2006 at 8:03am | IP Logged
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Oooh, Kathleen, thanks for the neat links!
Kelly in FL
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: March 08 2006 at 10:15am | IP Logged
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Isn't there a book that MacBeth recommends about roadside geology? I think I'd like to have that along on any long road trip. Could be an easy way for you to anticipate and spot any interesting geologic features.
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Theresa
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momwise
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| Posted: March 08 2006 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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Kelly wrote:
| we will be in Louisiana, Jackson Hole and Santa Fe somewhere along the way. Still filling in the Points In Between! |
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Kelly,
Your vacations sound so cool. Be sure to let us know if you go to WY via Denver!
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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Kelly
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| Posted: March 08 2006 at 9:17pm | IP Logged
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MacBeth, what is this mysterious book on roadside geology? Sounds like a perfect accessory for Road Trips!
Gwen, we'll give a shout if we approach the Mile High city
Anybody else have great ideas for Charlotte Mason-type destinations, please fell free to post. You all are such a great resource
Kelly in FL
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MaryM
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| Posted: March 12 2006 at 1:42am | IP Logged
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Kelly,
Your trips do sound wonderful! You make me laugh though. I'm a pretty seasoned car traveler but have a hard time considering the 800+ miles from Wyoming to Mount St. Helens a "jaunt." I can't help you with the MSH info as I've been in Portland many times and haven't managed to get up to MSH (and it is only a jaunt from there). My parents have been and my dad said it is really interesting - very worthwhile.
I believe the roadside geology book in question is a series called Roadside Geology (published by Mountain Press Publishing). They have them for many different states (mostly the west and northeast it seems). They are helpful in finding interesting geologic sites along the way for travelers and we use them a lot when traveling. This publisher also has a series called Geology Underfoot for those who are interested in going beyond what you can see from your car. (BTW, they also have a Roadside History series.) Another series I really like is the FalconTrails rockhounding guides. They have them for various western states. They cover geologic phenomena but are more specific about collection areas for rocks and minerals.
If you are focusing on "Odd Geologic Phenomena" and you are going to be in Santa Fe, NM I think Carlsbad is a shorter "jaunt." Have you already been to Carlsbad Caverns on one of your other out west trips? To me one of the most fascinating geologic phenomena - caves/stalactites/stalagmites (and you get the cool bats, too!)
Already in Wyoming (thought the far opposite corner) is Devil's Tower - the eroded remnant of a volcanic neck. Having already been in Wyoming with your family this may have been a destination before. And I am assuming that if you are in Jackson you are going to at least drop into Yellowstone - gotta love that geothermal geologic phenomena!
If you do make the trip to the Pacific Northwest from Wyoming you will be going near some other areas of interest geologically speaking.
*Craters of the Moon National Monument in southern Idaho is right up your volcano alley. "Out-of-this world" landscape is unique.
*Central and Eastern Oregon is the site of large collections of Thunder-Eggs - not related to either weather or birds, they are the state rock of Oregon. They have volcanic origin as well.
*Hell's Canyon on the Oregon-Idaho border is the deepest river gorge in North America. Ancient volcanic rock can be seen in the lowest layers.
*Though not on the way but further south in Oregon is the magnificent Crater Lake (also featured on the Oregon quarter). The deepest lake in North America (second in Western Hemisphere, seventh in world) is the result of a caldera in a collapsed stratovolcano. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
I'm not sure how to classify this - not really geologic, but it is earth science related - the Columbia RIver and its dams and locks. There are several along the river between Washington and Oregon - Bonneville, Dalles, John Day. We've visited them from the Oregon side - I've not visited the dams located only in Washington (and they are more out of the way anyway). It is really worthwhile. They all are a little different. I can never for sure remember which I like best, but I do believe that if I had to pick only one to visit it would be Bonneville. They also have the locks for boats and barges which are so cool to see in action- a great engineering lesson. The site says that you need advance reservations to view the Bonneville locks - that would definitely be worthwhile to do. In the past you could just go there whenever, but this is a post 9-11 precaution. It looks like both the John Day and Dalles dam/power plants are closed to the public currently because of that also, though the Dalles visitors center and fish ladder remain open.
...or you could get from Wyoming to Mount St. Helens via the northern route (Montana, No. Idaho, Washington) but that's another post.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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momwise
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| Posted: March 12 2006 at 10:14am | IP Logged
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I just remembered my Catholic Tourist Guide. I've snail-mailed chapters for a specific state to other homeschoolers...if you want anything let me know. There is a cool site in WY where the first Catholic Mass was celebrated. It's a little shrine way up on a hill (although easy to find from the main highway).
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Mount St. Helens
