Thirty-two years ago on this day, a majestic snow-capped peak north of Portland, Ore., blew its top. It was on the morning of May 18, 1980 at 8:32 a.m. PT when Mt. St. Helens violently erupted, destroying pristine forests, devastating the Toutle River, and killing 57 people. I was five years old at the time, but I do remember standing by the S.E. 10th Street overpass near I-205, watching to the north the ominous plume towering in the horizon.  I didn’t take any photos, nor did I have a camera then. I was five at the time.

The memories would return, and it was not an anniversary date. In September 2004, a swarm of earthquakes rumbled in the throat of the volcano. On October 1, 2004, as I arrived at Windy Ridge near the volcano, she erupted for the first time in over a decade. I had front row seats for this one and that’s the photo I shot of it above. Over the course of four years, she formed a new lava dome next to the existing dome.

Mt. St. Helens may have blown her top, but other local volcanoes are ticking time bombs. Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, and Newberry Crater are just a few that could go boom some day.

You are looking at a McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwich, partially disassembled, of course. You can get this dinky piece of fish with half of a slice of cheese and a dab of tartar sauce on a bland bun for a mere $3.39 (price varies by store).  The cost of the sandwich has gone up over the past few months, but looking at the cheese and tartar sauce, it appears McDonald’s is favoring to charge more for less product. I’m not lovin’ it, and neither is my wallet.

The full moon tonight, known as “super moon,” rises above Portland, Oregon, on the night of May 5, 2012.  The images I shot were taken from Council Crest, around the 900-foot elevation in southwest Portland. Many people drove up to Council Crest tonight to watch the moonrise and take photographs.  The moon didn’t appear until shortly after 9:00 p.m. because of the clouds to the east. Fortunately, it wasn’t raining.

The National Weather Service is forecasting 40% chance of thunderstorms in the Portland area for Monday afternoon. My hopes for thunderstorms in Portland diminishes, so I head out towards The Dalles and hope to capture some storm photographs and videos.

While driving on I-84 and approaching The Dalles, the storm is producing frequent lightning and rain, but no real good place to stop on the shoulder. On U.S. 197 south of The Dalles where the view is much better at a higher elevation, the storm weakens and then collapses, and the lightning dies off.

Sadly, I return home without a image or video of the lightning, but the images of the clouds and the setting sun will have to do. The thing about photographing the weather is you have to sometimes settle for what nature gives you. I’m fine with that.

Did a thunderstorm produce in Portland on Monday? The favorite went to the 60% chance of no storms, so no storms for Portland on Monday.

The Springwater bicycle crossing at S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd. and S.E. Bell Ave. is moving right along, and boy, I cannot wait for this to be completed, especially after today.  A new bicycle crossing signal is being installed to make crossing Johnson Creek Blvd. and Bell Ave. easier for bicyclist, and done in one shot. Until the bike signal is activated, bicyclists must cross the intersection in two steps: first being Bell Avenue and second being Johnson Creek Blvd.

This weekend’s summer-like weather in Portland also brought out a ton of bicyclists onto the Springwater Trail. With the work continuing and construction tape cordoning off the work zones and gaps, this intersection became a bit chaotic at times with the weekend riders. The construction was suppose to be completed at the end of March, but I’m not sure when it really is suppose to be finished. I’m looking forward to this new signal going into service.

Here it is! The temperature at Portland International Airport just reached 80°F for the first time in 2012 this afternoon.

After cold and wet fall and winter, the weather rewards Portland with sunshine and warm weather. The National Weather Service office in Portland predicts rain will move back into the area on Monday.

Enjoy it while you can!

(Source: NOAA)

Today’s Bike Milwaukie ride takes us through Milwaukie’s neighborhoods to the Three Creeks Natural Area near S.E. 82nd Ave. and S.E. Harmony Rd. outside of Milwaukie. The Three Creeks area is where Mt. Scott Creek, Phillips Creek, and Deer Creek converge and flows downstream to Kellogg Creek and then into the Willamette River.  Several old growth oak trees, native vegetation and wildlife are found in the Three Creeks site.

After arriving at the North Clackamas Aquatic Center, Tsunami Crew founder Chris Runyard provided a walking tour of the natural area. He provided informative narratives about the gargantuan oak trees that are well anywhere from 200 to 500 years old, the native vegetation, the history about the site, and an intimidating oversize poison oak vine. The hike might had been easier if I weren’t wearing road bike cleats.

The old growth trees and the wetlands are in jeopardy with the Sunnybrook Road extension, a Clackamas County transportation improvement project that was shelved not long ago after strong opposition from cities and neighborhoods, including Ardenwald.

The Sunnybrook Road extension should not be shelved, but abandoned and never to be brought to light again.  Old growth trees, watersheds, and wildlife habitats should not be destroyed for the convenience of automobile commuters. Instead, the intersection at S.E. 82nd Ave. (Ore. 213) at Milwaukie Expressway (Ore. 224) about a half mile to the south should be improved to handle the increasing traffic capacity.

For more information on the Three Creeks natural area, check out their website at http://www.3-creeks.org/.

View Photos

Sellwood Park. Portland, Oregon. April 2, 2012.