Lens-Artists Challenge #139 – Special Moments
This week for Lens-Artist Challenge #139, Tina invited us to visit our special moments. While there are so many, I would included three events.
Mount St. Helens in Washington state was erupted on May 18, 1980. I was a student at Seattle Pacific University. The 5.1 magnitude earthquake caused a lateral eruption that reduced St. Helens’ height by about 1,300 feet (400 m) and left a crater 1 mile (1.6 km) to 2 miles (3.2 km) wide and 0.5 miles (800 m) deep. It was a major eruption among the 48 states since 1915. The ash drifted over many states and could be seen as far as Chicago. The evacuation was announced before the eruption. Mr. Harry Truman, a caretaker of a resort lodge, refused to leave. He said he belonged to the mountain and would die with the mountain. He, along with fifty-six people were killed.
My family and I went back to visit on September 10, 2016. The mud and debris still filled the river, and the crater was still very much alive. It seemed like nothing or few things would survive. I was in awe to see miles of century-old forests destroyed by the eruption have come back, richer and different from before. There were many beautiful wildflowers. Life overcomes!
I came to the US as a student in 1977. In all the years I was in Hong Kong, I had never visited the Great Wall. In 2012, some family member expressed the interest to take a family vacation in China. I got some tour information from the Chinese Newspaper and made contacts. One tour company offered a private tour with a van and a driver for ten people. After I got the commitment of eight members, I started planning. By the time we set the itinerary, made reservations for air and hotel, three members couldn’t make it. I was a little disappointed. The tour company contacted the tour in China they agreed to accommodate the seven of us. It was a special vacation because I have other countries on my visiting list and may not return to see the Great Wall.
We rarely get to celebrate the birthdays or anniversaries on the day of the event. In 2016, I could plan a trip to Spain in August during our anniversary. When we visited the Mosque of Córdoba, the architecture fascinated me, and I was busy taking photos. The tour moved on without me. It panicked me. Fortunately, my husband is tall, and I spotted him, and quickly merged back to the tour saying nothing.
We were in Barcelona to celebrate our anniversary. I wish to tour inside of Basilica de la Sagrada Familia but the tour didn’t not schedule it. We only had time to take photos. I literally was lying flat on the ground to get the view from the bottom to the top. Of course, my husband was on guard so people wouldn’t step on me and kill me.
The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc (Font màgica de Montjuïc) in Barcelona.
Lens-Artists Challenge #139 – Special Moments
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The Showers of Blessings 
Incredible photos! Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome, Debra! Thank you for checking them out.
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Hi, Miriam! These are definitely very special moments you’ve captured with these fabulous photos. I’m like you, I do what I have to in order to get the perfect picture. 😉 Loved the video of the fountain too. ❤
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Yeah, Vashti! I’m glad at least I got a few photos of the places we visited. Someone was leaving and have me his spot to watch the fountain. ☺️💖
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That was lucky. 😉 ❤
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It was, thank you!
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Great places to visit, Miriam. The only one of those I visited is the Great Wall. What an experience!
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Thanks for sharing some of your lovely special moments! Same here, when we went to Barcelona we weren’t able to go in so that is now still not erased from my bucket list.
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I surely hoped to go back, Teresa. I’m glad you keep those in your bucket list also.
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Such lovely moments, Miriam. You’ve seen some great sites, several of which I wish I had seen as well. I’m especially drawn to the mosque in Spain and how you got “lost” while taking pictures. This has happened to me as well, because I’m so involved with taking a picture that I miss out on where the tour is headed! Nice collection this week!
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Rusha, I would like to go back to Spain and stay in one or two cities for longer instead of hopping on and off.
I know, in fact I got lost more than once during this trip because I love the architecture. Thanks for the comment!
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I’d like a first trip to Spain!!!! But can’t complain. Have seen much. And loved it all.
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I distinctly recall Mount St. Helens erupting. My Father was camping near Mt. Baker at the time and he had ash falling from the sky. Wonderful for you to see the forests richer and different from before. You captured a breathtaking photo of the Great Wall! Funny about the tour moving on without you. I could see this easily happen, and only funny because it all turned out okay. An amazing post, Miriam!
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Yes, Mt St. Helen is quite close to you, Erica! Did you go camping with your father? Nature has a remarkable way to survive to come back to life. The photo of the Great Wall was one of a few good photos I got from the entire trip because of the weather. The tour usually doesn’t wait. I’ve heard of cruise left the port even if the members didn’t come back to the cruise after the excursion. Those people had to find a way to catch up. A friend fell and broke her leg and was hospitalized. The tour went on to the next city. The husband waited with her and went to the next city to rejoin the tour.
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We used to camp near Mt. Baker Summer and Winter. A beautiful area. Interesting about the tour, Miriam 🙂
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It seemed like it was your favorite thing to do, Erica. We booked a trip to Banff in August. I hope the border will be open by that time. 😊
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Thanks for sharing your special trips and memories, Miriam. Beautiful and clear shot of the Great Wall. It was a cloudy day when we visited there.
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The day we went to see the Great Wall was okay for the weather, Amy. The weather was not consistent for the rest of the trip.
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Amazing photos! I can remember the Mount St. Helens eruption. Thanks for the virtual tour!
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The ash may reach part of Canada, I imagine. Thank you for reading, Mark!
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Great moments, Miriam! I had never heard of the caretaker, that was a very special story. I was thrilled to see the Cathedral again – la Sagrada Familia was a fantastic experience, and so much further the building has grown! We have said we wanted to go back when it was finished – and we will if we are still alive.
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They were, Ann-Christine. And I took a photo of Mr. Truman’s gravestone. I would like to tour inside of la Sagrada Familia but it may not finish in a near future 🙂.
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From the beginning they said 2026…
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I loved learning about some of your special moments, Miriam. I lived on the east coast when St. Helen’s blew, but remember it so well. I’ve been up there once and suspect I’ll be up there again this summer. And I’d love to visit the Great Wall of China. What a marvel and history. I’m glad you got there as well as to all these other beautiful landmarks. 🙂
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I’m glad we went when we could. My son-in-law’s mom went with us to China. She passed away a few years after that. Thank you for your comment, Diana! 🙂
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Wonderful photos Miriam. I remember the story of the caretaker who wouldn’t leave. Sad I think. Love the Sagrada photo. We hope to tour Spain in the next year or so.
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John, I took a photo of the grave stone of Mr. Truman. At least he is remembered by many. You’ll love Spain if you like Spanish architecture.
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Wonderful pictures and what amazing places to see.
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They all are great places to visit, Denise, and hope to see more of other places when the pandemic is over.
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These are wonderful pictures, Miriam. I must visit Barcelona when this pandemic is over. What beautiful artwork.
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I love the architecture in Spain, Robbie! It’s so different than other architecture. You’d love it. We went to five major cities.
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A most interesting post! Three great choices. I remember when Mt. St. Helens erupted. What a shock!!
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It was a shock even though I was right there in Seattle. Probably by the time the evacuation was announced, the eruption was like a monster coming out from hiding!
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Those are special moments and special photographs to commemorate them. I have to say that your picture of the Great Wall of China is the best one I’ve ever seen.
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Those are special moments, Liz. Each one was special in its own way to me. I’m glad I got one good picture of the Great Wall. The pollution was so bad, almost everything blends together. I would love to have one good picture of Guilin but I didn’t.
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Isn’t that interesting. I never would have guessed from your photo of the Great Wall that pollution was a problem.
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I think that photo was on a higher elevation. There’s no blue sky though. When China hosted the Olympics in 2008, the government stopped? the major factories and other manufacturing companies from productions for a month prior the event so it wouldn’t have embarrassement.
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The pollution must cause a lot of health problems?
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I didn’t pay attention to it. It might have.
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Lovely pictures Miriam! The great wall of China had been beckoning us, as we were so near once upon a time and now sooooo far! Thanks for sharing your experiences and visits. I have many special moments of travel to share… the Taj Mahal, the Kanchenjunga, the back waters of Kerala, tea gardens of Darjeeling and many more! 🙂
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I’m sure you have special moments to share also, Balroop. I love to see you combine poetry with some of your travel photos. That’s what I’m trying to do – do the photo challenge and share about different things since I don’t do too many posts per week. 🙂
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Ah… those moments are embedded in my albums Miriam, I couldn’t bring all of them but am trying to get them digitalized. Lovely memories!
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I have years of prints with negative. It’s a lot of work to digitalize all of them, Balroop! I only do a few if I need to use them.
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I agree with you Miriam.
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What glorious pictures. I am a fan of volcanoes. Partly their power and a lot how they change everything around them–across the world–just by doing what they normally would. A nice metaphor for the power of one, don’t you think?
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I know what you mean, Jacqui. It’s also interesting to observe what’s above the water and what’s below of volcanos. It’s powerful, for sure!
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So true. That huge mountain is tiny compared to what’s below.
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You certainly went the extra mile (in all sorts of ways) to get these magnificent photographs.
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It seems like I always combine travel with taking photos, Peter. I heard of the new lockdown in Europe. How are you and your wife doing?
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We’ve kept ourselves very much isolated anyway and have both had our first vaccination. We’ve not seen our daughter and son in law since 15 December 2019!
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It was a long time, Peter. We have to do what we must do. Both my husband and I just got our second v
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Sorry, didn’t finish… We got the second vaccine. We just came to visit my daughter and for my younger grandfather’s first birthday.
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Stunning photos, Miriam. I had to laugh when you said you had to lie down to get the picture of the Basilica. Thank goodness your husband was there to protect you. 🙂
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Haha, Jan, it worked. The photo of Basilica turned out the way I wanted it! 🙂
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Such beautiful pics, Miriam! My son’s girlfriend spent a summer in China through school and visited The Great Wall. She had a wonderful time and made the most of her short time there. Glad hubby didn’t let you get stepped on!
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Teri, how wonderful your son’s girlfriend studied and visited the Great Wall. It’s among the new Seven Wonders of the World. I hope to visit a few more of the 7. Hubby is quite accommodating for me to take photos! 🙂
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We visited Mt. St. Helens a few years back. My husband insisted and I thought it would be boring. How wrong I was! It was fascinating and so very memorable. We went to the museum which was great. I was amazed that the trees had completely rebounded on the side planted by one of the big lumber companies while on the opposite side they were still naked sticks. Nature is truly amazing. I also loved both the Great Wall (a lifetime goal achieved!) and the Sagrada Familia (although your photo is better than mine was!). Some very special moments Miriam, thanks for sharing them with us!
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I always wanted to go back to visit and I’m glad we did, Tina. It was amazing reading some hand-written letters from the people who were there. It was good that the lumber companies planted the trees. With the volcanic ash and the rain, the trees bounce back. The news said Europe has a new lockdown! So much for the idea of traveling again!
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Yes, I saw that Miriam. Hoping this lockdown is short-lived for them, and that it delivers a lesson to those here who are prematurely throwing caution to the wind.
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We came to Portland, OR today for our granddaughter’s first birthday party. Our flight was packed, as was the flight prior to ours.!!!
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I loved reading your experience visiting years after the eruption. “Life overcomes!” Yes indeed! Thank you for sharing a little history and your gorgeous photographs, Miriam.
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It was an emotional moment, Liz! The museum shows some hand-written letters from the people who lived through it. I still remember vividly the scenes from the news.
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Fabulous moments Miriam. I like how nature has reclaimed what nature took away at Mt St Helens
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Exactly, Brian. It’s been 40 years since the eruption. The next 40 years will recover even faster.
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Wonderful pictures, Miriam! I visited Mount St. Helen just a few years ago. They still don’t let anyone near it, but the landscape is just beautiful. Volcanic soil is some of the richest soil out there. I’ve also visited La Familia Sagrada. It is to breathtakingly beautiful. It’s crazy how long they have been working on that church. I don’t think they will ever finish. Lol! 🙂
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You’re right about the richness of the volcanic soil, Yvette. We went four and a half years ago, the steam was still coming up from the crater. How wonderful you and I shared many travel experiences. I don’t think they will ever finish building La Familia Sagrada either. Isn’t it crazy? What’s the point? 🙂
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I have no idea. I like to think it’s more about caring for its delicateness, or maybe they’ve been doing it for so long that they can’t imagine NOT doing it. LOL! 🙂
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I can’t remember why it’s taking so long and doesn’t seem to have an end to it! 🙂
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wow… just love the scenic beauty.
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Thank you!
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Wow! It was well worth risking injury for the photo of the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia … one of the best I’ve seen. It’s almost surreal and I feel a sense of spiritual vertigo as I view it. How wonderful that you could visit the Wall of China, truly a trip of a lifetime. As for the lava it’s amazing how well nature has recovered afterwards but sad to read about the loss of life. The final video is mesmerising and beautiful, I was oh-ahhing along with the other spectators! 😀 Thank you for sharing highlights from your amazing adventures… I feel I’ve travelled the world within a very brief time! Just brilliant! Have a lovely day … one of packing? Xx 😀❤️
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Annika, I think the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia one was worth the risk also. I wasn’t going to leave until I got a photo of my liking. As far as the Great Wall, I’m sure I won’t return as I would like to see the other part of the world as well. I will return to England because I have a girlfriend in London. I want to see the castles in Scotland also. Thank you for your comment. I still can’t get over how impressed I was with your studio and how I wish to comprise and had a sunroom built. ❤ 🙂
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By the way, after my initial inquiry and your help to connect with David, I did find an illustrator to do my children’s book. It’s done and now is in formatting. I hope to have a book release blog tour after the middle of next month. Thank you for your help, Annika. ❤
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Miriam, congratulations on coming so far along with your children’s book! How exciting! I bet you’re busy on the run-up to the launch! xx
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Thank you Annika. Yes, I’m very pleased with the illustration and looking forward to the launch!
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We must have heard about St. Helens on the news, but I don’t remember -probably too busy looking after our first baby! What an amazing event, but nature happily copes. When my younger son was little he would say when we saw a disaster on the news – well they shouldn’t live near a volcano!
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I can’t see which disaster is better or worse than the other. But your younger was right, Janet, the destruction from the lava flow surely is harder to recover than a hurricane or even a fire.
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When Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980, people were getting a lot of ash on their cars here even though we live just under 500 miles away from it.
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Yes, Pete, the community close to Mt. St. Helen was completely dark as I watched the TV news. Even though the street light was triggered, it was hard to see.
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I am glad you did not get stepped on! You take wonderful photographs.
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That was the only time I did that, and I made sure hubby stood next to me to guard the traffic!!
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