Skype makes the world feel flat.
Thank God Mt. St. Helens erupted
Because I couldn't have hiked any further up that damn volcano. Mt. St. Helens is most famous for its violent eruption on May 18, 1980, which was the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. On Tuesday, I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to join Scott, Courtney, Claire, Walker, Ellen and Dan for the 2.5 hour drive south to hike that beast.
We were up against a five-mile hike to the top and a 4,500-foot elevation gain. It looked something like this...
As you can see, this scramble included a lot of rock climbing.
What does it feel like standing at the top of an active volcano?
Pretty damn awesome.
Fohawk in the front, volcanic debris in the back.
You can also see Scott's pictures here.
Going to be fun week
This is a preview shot for some videos that Amanda and I made over the weekend. Stay tuned for some big wedding-related announcements, and here's to a fun-filled week!
Monday: Work. Bleh. Get to sleep EARLY.
Tuesday: Wake up EARLY. Get to Scott's by 4:30 a.m. Hike Mt. St. Helens with group of friends. Try not to die.
Wednesday: Work. Bleh. See Brand New and Coheed and Cambria at the Puyallup Fair with Cuddy.
Thursday: Work. Bleh. Play Beatles' Rock Band.
Friday: Head to Mazama, Wash. with Amanda for a getaway weekend in North Cascades Nat'l Park.
Foto Friday: Truce
Following up on my previous post...
Cat meets dog
We're watching my Mom's dog Simon for the weekend. Actually we got him on Wednesday night and are keeping him until Monday which is why I DEMANDED THAT I BE COMPENSATED WITH A CASE OF CHARLES SHAW WINE - 6 MERLOT, 3 CAB SAV AND 3 SYRAH. I am a nice son.
Our cat Fabrizio doesn't take kindly to dogs. He tends to welcome them with a hiss and fake jab, and then proceeds to walk around with his back arched like he jumped out of pumpkin stencil for the remainder of their stay.
Fortunately, Simon and Fabrizio are the same size, so Fabrizio is more tolerant than usual. He still walks with arched back, but it's mostly in principle. Like a senator yelling "You lie!" during a president's healthcare reform speech, Fabrizio takes the arched form because it's in his nature to do so.
Toward the end of the day, cat and dog relax on opposite sides of Amanda on the couch and everyone's happy... Until I have to go clean my yard, which has suddenly turned from outdoor sanctuary to dog toilet.