In the Vicinity of Mount St. Helens

Our choice of an RV park in Silverlake, WA, was based on its location near Mount St. Helens. However, the recent government shutdown prevented any opportunity for "up close" views of the mountain, and overcast and foggy weather conditions made even views from the nearby highway turnouts impossible.

So we focused our attention on the sights of our nearby surroundings. The park is located on the canals of Silver Lake home to some of Washington's best bass fishing.

So even before reaching the lake, fishermen were enjoying their hobby.

Kayakers also enjoyed the calm waters of these canals,

while others enjoyed transportation on land.

We captured this view of a tree awash in the golden glow of sunset and

compared the view of this same tree in the silvery coat of fog the next morning.

We watched as the early morning fog gave way to the glow of sunrise.

Just four miles from the RV park was the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake. The Center opened in 1987, and in 2007 Washington State Parks accepted ownership of the center from the U.S. Forest Service.

Visitors can explore Silver Lake via a mile-long trail, including boardwalks over wetlands. Taking this short walk was as close as we would come to viewing the site of the 1980 volcanic eruption...without actually seeing Mount St. Helens.