The Devastation and Father’s Day

Last weekend was my sweet little cow’s (husband) first Father’s Day. Nugget and I discussed the perfect gift and decided a weekend away would be just the ticket. An all day road trip destination wasn’t an option … with a baby it’s just too hard. We aren’t those people anymore. Long gone are the days of piling into the Stang and driving aimlessly until finding somewhere worth stopping. Babies require plans, bottle warmers, beds and schedules in order for mommy to keep her sanity. Babies kind of kill spontaneity … but you’re so tired you don’t care! 

It’s easy to take life in the Pacific Northwest for granted. Want to go to the beach … hop in the car … Seaside is a quick jaunt away. Feel like skiing … Mt. Hood is right around the corner. Yearning for hot days and cool nights … head to the high desert of Bend.

Initially I had a hard time selecting the perfect spot for our retreat. Then I saw tiny houses near Mt. Saint Helens … which we call The Devastation … and that was it. Tiny houses are the cutest things on earth. We stayed at the Silver Cove RV Resort and while it was super cute … our tiny house was definitely not one of the ones pictured. Our little house was old and had lots of rustic charm. The park offers camping, cabins and a lodge you can rent for events. It’s quite delightful and not far from the mountain.

We did all the touristy things on our little adventure. We checked out the Visitor Center, the Forest Learning Center, Coldwater Lake and the Johnston Ridge Observatory. We had a wonderful time escaping the city and heat for the weekend. I’m a true Oregonian, I’m happiest when the sky is grey and rain drops are dancing on the ground. In fact to much sun makes me a very cranky little bear.

We only explored one side of the mountain due to time constraints … jobs and adulting called us back to reality. However this summer we hope to explore the Ape Caves and Windy Ridge Viewpoint. I guess we’ll just have to plan another getaway … oh darn! If you’re looking for a quick escape into the wilderness I would highly recommend Mt. Saint Helens. There are many beautiful sights but there’s also an abundance of fascinating information regarding the eruption and it’s impact.