The start of our trip at Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center.
Inside the boys got to see what it would be like inside a volcano and how lava flows.
On the walls is the layers of earth.
Just outside and looking towards Mount St. Helens, you can see it in the background. Still a little overcast but we had a great day with plenty of sunshine.
At Hoffstade Bluffs we stopped for a picnic lunch and the boys got to hike a little bit. They have helicopter rides so we got to see it take off and land.
Looking down into the vally.
Christopher looking at the helicopter.
Spirit Lake
The little island/hill in the middle of the lake is a piece of earth that was thrown during the eruption.
Johnston Ridge Observatory that is being redone. Supposed to open again within the next few years.
Inside the blast zone. almost 30 years later you can still see the trees that were blown and scattered like twigs.
The final stop at the Monument
Were amazed that they were so close to a volcano.
The dome is starting to rise again.
Driving down.
Elk
At the learning center everyone wanted a turn on the helicopter.
They got to met Sir Tophan Hat 
