This week marks the 44th year anniversary since the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington.  Eight years after this momentous event, I headed north from my home in California to pay homage to the mountain.  My initial goal was to pay for a helicopter ride around the mountain.  I followed the exit signs off the Toledo exit to the small aiport.  However, I found that the helicopters were grounded as they did not fly on Sundays.  Not to be deterred, I noticed that a group of skydivers had just returned from their last excursion.  After asking around, I found that the pilot of the plane and offrerd himforty bucks to facilitate my dream. And that is how Michael Jackson, the pilot,  and "Bob" the plane gave me an unforgettable ride around and through the middle of the mountain. It was thrilling, especially as the plane briefly lost altitude when we flew through the smouldering crater. Since then, the mountain continues its rebirth. I am blessed with these images of a Phoenix arising and the memories of that special afternoon.