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Saturday, June 6, 2020

My Pieter is SO LUCKY for having viewed Mt. St. Helen Before its BIG Eruption

Pieter always told me the story about how Campbell Soup invited him to fly to the USA and for evaluating a mushroom farm in Washington...
So, Pieter agreed, to flying across the Atlantic on Good Friday, April 4, 1980.
Little did he know that Washington was the STATE Washington, all the way to the West!
So upon arriving in Philadelphia, he next flew there early April in the Campbell Company Jet...
Due to some eruption on March 27, 1980 the pilot had to fly around it, avoiding being over it and sucking up some of the volcanic particles still in the air.
Here is the once majestic Mount Saint Helen with its peak still at 9,677 feet or 2,449 meter.
In the back to the left you can see Mount Rainier with its 14,410 feet or 4,392 m, the highest in the Cascade Mountain Range.
Both are a Stratovolcano, just as we know them from Indonesia.
On May 18, 1980 it caused one of the greatest volcanic explosions ever recorded in North America...
Some 57 people lost their lives.
Campbell Soup always has had a company jet for being able to reach its approx. 90 plants across the entire USA.
Here Pieter stands with Campbell colleague Ben Penturelli in Minneapolis/St. Paul where they made a stop.
Aron Kinrus also flew with Pieter...
Yep, from Philadelphia all the way to Seattle, in the State Washington.
It was quite fascinating for seeing all those circles where huge crop irrigation sprinklers turn around.
Entering the Cascade Mountain Range...
Fascinating to always see the snow covered peaks.
More and more rugged upon nearing Seattle...
Quite a thrill on such a private jet!
The pilots circled around Mount Saint Helen due to its activity since March 27, see first photo for its view.
Overview of a residential area of San Francisco, California
A view of the Monterrey Royal Oaks Mushroom Farm in California...
Pacific Ocean seen at top left.
This is a Google Maps view of the same Mushroom Farm. Royal Oaks how it looks many years later!
That mushroom farm is not far from the Pacific coast
Upon descending into Philadelphia again, the Delaware River with its Ben Franklin Bridge connecting Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Campbell Soup Headquarters are very near the bridge, in Camden, NJ.

 Hope you enjoyed this historic flight experience!
Thanks for your visit.


A good video of 6 minutes lets you see the initial peak and eruption: Mt. St. Helens Eruption May 18, 1980 just click it.
Mount St. Helens Eruption of 1980 with Photos & Video: click link



37 comments:

  1. Hello Mariette, Whenever we get out in the world, we see inspiring sights, and (often unwittingly) witness historic events. Somewhere we have a bottle of ashes from the major Mt. St. Helens eruption. We got it from a lady whose son lived near there. That eruption was quite the story in its day!
    --Jim

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      You are so right about unwittingly observing some historic sight that will forever vanish. It was impressive, however tired Pieter was back then.
      It was a story, a very sad one for many involved.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Liebe Mariette,
    herzlichen Dank für deinen schönen Post.
    Alles Liebe
    Elisabeth

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Gerne wieder und noch einen schönen Sonntag!
      Liebe Grüße,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Wonderful aerial views, especially of Mt. St. Helens! I was 16 when it erupted and I don't recall much about it, as there was considerable upheaval in my home and life then. It's fascinating to see the photos--I like seeing the changes in landscapes through the decades. Thanks for sharing these, I hope you're keeping well!

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Kim,
      This was quite an unexpected adventure, a tiring long journey but fascinating to get the sight from Mt. St. Helen and who would know that it would vanish so soon afterwards.
      Cities change and all landscapes over several decades.
      We both are well and busy, doing chapter 10 out of 12. A big one and the final one is huge.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  4. Hello,Mariette,
    What thrilling views from the jet!
    I hope you and Pieter are fine.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Tomoko san,
      This was quite thrilling for Pieter to view and historical as that mountain top is forever gone now.
      Yes, both of us are fine and hope you and yours are keeping well too.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  5. Many of my Pacific Northwest friends were in the area during the eruption. Their descriptions are chilling. The Cascades are only 20 or so miles from me. Snow covered year round and spectacular. Happy Sunday.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Helen,
      That no doubt has been a very chilling experience for a vast number of people, etched in their memories forever.
      You live in a beautiful area, even though the winters might affect your mobility.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  6. Hello dear Mariette!
    The views from the Jet are breathtaking!
    The snowy mountains look so beautiful and impressive!
    I really enjoyed your post and your wonderful photos!
    Have a lovely new week ! Stay well and safe! Hugs!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Dimi,
      That sure was breathtaking and I wish I had been there too...
      Thank you and sending you hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Dearest Anne,
      Yes, this was quite a historical memory...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Your husband Pieter traveled at interesting timing - between small and big eruptions! Views from the jet are breathtaking. Those circles are quite fascinating indeed and mountainous areas with snow covering the peak are beautiful!
    Thank you for sharing, Mariette, and have a great new week xo

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Tamago,
      This was what we often call: 'JIT' = Just In Time!
      Guess only Mount Fuji would look better...
      We both very much love mountainous areas, far more than any beach.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  9. I am sure that it was an impressive experience for Pieter to fly around the Mount Saint Helen which was readying itself for the eruption!!!
    Thanks for sharing this, dearest Mariette!
    Many hugs!

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Marie-Anne,
      Can you imagine, how close actually he was to that big, devastating one?!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. What an exciting adventure for Pieter. He has seen so many more things than the general public...you too. Nice that you have kept such wonderful records so that now that you are not traveling as much....you can enjoy your many memories.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Janey,
      Yes, he and also I have seen a lot what the general public has no inkling about. But the sad part was, with such a hectic life, you never had the time for sitting still and actually looking at these slides... But now finally and still timely, Pieter is able to relive this adventure.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      A very productive and busy life but now he can look back and enjoy it as before he never found the time...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Dearest Regine,
      Yes, that sure was a wow moment!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. Wat een mooie foto's vanuit het vliegtuig. Indrukwekkende video.
    Sterkte met de laatste loodjes van het manuscript.

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    Replies
    1. Beste Willy,
      Ja, dat zijn heel bijzondere en historische foto's zulke.
      De mooie berg is nooit meer zo mooi geweest, enkele weken later.
      Dank je, het zijn zoals het gezegde, zware loodjes...
      Liefs,
      Mariette

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  14. Preciosas vistas aéreas. Es un gran testimonio gráfico, lo que encontramos en ellas.

    Besos

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    Replies
    1. Querida Antónia,
      Para mi Pieter estas fotos de hecho se convirtieron en un testimonio gráfico histórico de su belleza que desaparecería para siempre...
      Abrazos,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Caro Giancarlo,
      Grazie e altrettanto!
      Un abbraccio,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Pieter sure was lucky to fly over Mount St. Helen before it erupted. Nice photos Mariette.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Sami,
      Yes, it is so sad what happened shortly after this majestic view with perfect weather.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. What A Brilliant Post - So Thankful About You Holding Onto These Photos - What An Amazing Moment In Time - Thanx For Sharing These Gems - Stay Strong

    Cheers

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Padre,
      It sure turned out to become quite a historic photo from the full beauty of Mt. St. Helen. Wish I'd seen it with my own eyes...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. Oh my Mariette! These are amazing photos you shared! Truly Pieter was a very lucky man and blessed with amazing adventures that not everyone, especially nowadays, can ever be experienced :) That Volcano photo was extremely gorgeous!

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Stevenson,
      Yes, you are right, this was a very unique and special adventure where only very few people would ever get a chance to.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. Cuantas vivencias habéis tenido a lo largo de vuestra vida son realmente tan maravillosas como este viaje de tu marido que tuvo la oportunidad de poder contemplar desde el avión las montañas tan majestuosas ,me parece una experiencia única.
    Un fuerte abrazo y feliz semana.

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...