The Volcanos of the Northwest and Columbia River Gorge

First a reminder:  I am writing from the comfort of my home,  and my blog entries are based on notes I keep when I travel.  Some of my trips were a while ago. Things change.  That can certainly be the case when you visit an area of active volcanos.

Spending all my life very near sea level in the urban east coast, it was an amazing and breathtaking surprise to see places like the Grand Canyon, the Grand Tetons, Zion Canyon, the flat white tundra of  Manitoba....   Spending all my life as a sheltered urban east coast resident, it never occurred to me that I would want to put on hiking boots and go to mountainous areas where people were few and bear warnings were frequent. 

But I did.  The last time you saw me (so to speak) I was in Glacier National Park, and I was hiking.  That followed heli-hiking, which not only helped me overcome my fear of heights but also got me to think of helicopters as just another way to get around. 

If you know me or have followed my blog, you know I don’t much enjoy the research or planning involved in a trip.  I like to read the itinerary and go.  I like someone else to do all the planning, phone calls, transportation arrangements, lead me, give me information, and even arrange meals.  Country Walkers (http://www.countrywalkers.com/)  does just that*. 

Country Walkers’ trip to the Northwest volcanoes and Columbia River Gorge calls to me....especially the part where I hike on active volcanos.

                                                      Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens

Yes,  active volcanos in the Cascade Range.  This western mountain range goes from northern California up to southern British Columbia.  We are going to hike on Mt. Hood, Mount Adams, and  Mt. St. Helens -- all active volcanos in the Ring of Fire that circles the Pacific Ocean.  I have to admit right up front that the possibility I could hike on an active volcano that erupted not too long ago is irresistible.  Yup, I’ve gone from being afraid of heights to wanting to climb up an active volcano.

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* Country Walkers also help travelers organize ‘self-guided’ tours where they handle all the details and  you go at your own pace.