So we made another change to the trip itinerary this year; we chose to use the Black Ball ferry M.V. Coho instead of BC Ferries. This took us away from the I-5 and rush hour traffic through Seattle and instead allowed us to cross to the Olympic peninsula at Port Angeles and make our way to Olympia on the historic 101 Olympic Highway (past Dosewallips and Arsenault's favourite town Hamma Hamma). Our numbers were a bit lower this year but still at a hefty 67 students (again with 2 buses). One thing we did was to book both the south side (Ape Caves) and north side (JRO) for both Friday and Saturday making a decision the night before on where to go depending on the weather. This would, in theory, allow us to actually view the mountain and not have a repeat of the 2011 wall of grey.
Joining us on this trip were Ms. Laura Miller (Commins), Ms. Britt Hanson and Mr. Graeme McFadyen - who was retiring and we hoped would not have the same health issues like last year's retiree ;) The trip went off without too much of a problem but Bourget and I learned a very good lesson about keeping track of student whereabouts at the Great Wolf Lodge.
Waiting for the Coho in Victoria
The beginning of four years on the Black Ball
You may note that the student...that would be student teacher (chaperon) in the glasses is Ms. Britt Hanson who went on the first Mount Saint Helens trip as a graduating student back in 2006
Waiting at the Ape Caves
And still waiting...
Our 2012 Ape Caves group shot
This was the last year that the US Forest Service provided rangers for us or maybe they still do and we chose not to use that service (not because it wasn't good but us teachers had to work on this trip at some point, right?)
Entering the Ape Caves...
The first of two camera hams...
And the second :)
I'm always surprised with these photos. Often when walking through the Ape Caves we all look down to watch our footing. Doing this we lose the perspective of height in the caves and it's fascinating to see the full extent of the cave height.
As always the ledge at the bottom of the lower Ape Caves is a draw for the students as is...
the small pathway at the end.
It is always wonderful to see friendships strengthen on this trip
I keep wondering if we should add this student to our list
The Upper Caves proved popular again with this years' group
We also went to the trail of two forests again this year but it did lead to a tired group form a very busy first day
So the choice to book both sides for two days wasn't necessary for this year but the second day certainly paid off with some amazing views of the mountain
And although it was beautiful outside the chance to jump up and down to create an earthquake was clearly irresistible
Our 2012 Group shot at the JRO
Good times and good views this year
