Scenic Drive and Wood Mill

We made yesterday a low key day, decided to drive one of the scenic drives stated in a brochure we were given.  The drive took us north from Packwood and turned just west of the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park, then headed west to a small town of Elbe then headed south and turned east again once we got to Morton.  A big circle out west of Mt. Rainier and back.

Mineral Lake

I imagine that when the wildflowers are out or in the fall with the leaves changing, would be quite pretty but we did see many summer homes tucked away in the mountains and lots of small creeks and streams with water really rushing due to the snow melt.  We stopped in a small town of Elbe for some coffee and saw a pretty little church listed on the national register for historic places.  Again, blink and you would pass right through Elbe.

Volcano Evacuation Route Sign

I wanted us to visit Mineral Lake, a small alpine lake that was recommended that we visit.  Very pretty, very idyllic.  Kids swimming, row boats, people fishing by the banks, power boats, paddle boats, saw a campground at one end of the lake.  Asked someone how deep is the lake and he thought about 500 feet.  Yikes!  I could see huge trees underwater, the water was that clear.  Cute little town and could see where this town is definitely a summer retreat for those in Seattle, about 80 miles away.  Lots and lots of  small lakes abound around here.  Hard pressed to decide which is prettier.

Lumber truck getting unloaded

Drove on to Morton.  Saw a huge lumber mill called Hampton Lumber - took some pictures.  Big business.  Passed other Hampton Lumber mills in small towns we passed through. Finished our drive and headed back east to Packwood.  A "volcano evacuation route" sign caught my eye in the morning as we were heading out - oh my goodness, haven't thought in terms of something like that.  We are very close also to Mt. St. Helens National Park and saw the turn off to visit there, so I guess you could evacuate with Rainier or Helens.  This area is called the volcanic ring - Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier.  Who knows when the next eruption will be?