Mt. St. Helens

Well, my friends, yesterday was so beautiful at Mt. St. Helens. We went up to Johnston Ridge Observatory, and the mountain performed so beautifully - steam poofing out at various intervals, sun shining, idyllic temperature. Oh, it was a truly brilliant day! Grandchildren would have had a blast.

The one thing that puzzled us was that other than seeing one deer crossing the road in front of us (a very young, handsome deer), 2 ants, a couple of crows and a few swallows, there was no wildlife anywhere (perhaps they went to the Grand Floral Parade in Portland). No chipmunks. No elk. No camels. No hawks. No horses. No snakes (happily). No elephants. Nothing. Where was all the wildlife?

[Papa just interjected that the wildlife we did see were t-o-u-r-i-s-t-s. He's right, of course. We did see a few tourists - one Australian couple in particular. Very friendly wildlife, I must say!]

Actually, I think I know where the chipmunks went; they moved to Battle Ground into our side yard. They're everywhere. They moved in last week. Never saw them before last week, but now they seem to have made themselves at home on our side deck and in the wisteria. I think they like it there. Can't wait to see if grandchildren approve of the new occupants of our wisteria.

[Papa just interjected (again) that there is some debate as to whether they are chipmunks or golden mantled ground squirrels. Regarding this debate, I believe I come down on the side of chipmunks, and so does Uncle Bill; however, Papa is still holding out for golden mantled ground squirrels - and they're not telling, so the debate rages on.] Oh, how I wish Alex, Asher and Isabelle could be here with us. It would be so exciting to search for chipmunks with them. Will mid-July ever come?

Oh, boy, the chipmunk debate has just been settled. It IS a chipmunk, not a ground squirrel. The official title of this little critter is Yellow-Pine Chipmunk. And he's a real cutie! [as long as they don't come inside (Papa just said that).]