May 18, 1980

I remember it. I was safely ensconced on the east coast, but I had a friend in Portland who had to wear a dust mask for a week and sweep inches of ash from her driveway. It was fascinating and terrifying to follow the story on the news.

I visited the mountain a few years ago – the visitor’s center tells the amazing story in detail. And the drive through the recovering landscape is unforgettable.

See some more stunning photos here.