Thursday morning we got some very happy news concerning the insurance settlement: the pictures sent were enough to have the agent stating the Independence's damages are "a total loss" - and the settlement price was agreeable with Holland. When he put his phone down, he said, "Thank God; that was a definite miracle. And they are going to send someone out to collect Independence, after the check is cut." I was thankful too: the monies coming to us will be enough to purchase another RV Home (2nd hand, but in very good shape) & even be able to continue with our travel plans. Holland had his thoughts set on a specific settlement price, & Elohim came through. Yes, I agree … this was a definite miracle. And we are thankfully grateful.
This morning - after I finished my morning coffee, but before I started boxing things up; Bleu & I left the Resort grounds to take a leafy walk along the Toutle River; just 5 minutes up the road.
It was a little foggy, but not enough to stop me from going. We both needed to be outside for a little while - him to run free & explore … me to spend some me-time with Yeshua, before the busyness of the Day hijacked my time.
Walking along, kicking leaves, I mused as to why this bridge is named "the Mickey Mouse Bridge": it doesn't resemble a mouse in any way that I can discern - so, I researched it online, when we got back home: and I still don't [get it] …
{{Why the Mickey Mouse Bridge in Castle Rock-WA, has that Name
is its remarkable survival during the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption. According to geocaching records and local history, when the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens sent massive lahars (volcanic mudflows) down the Toutle River, many river crossings in the area were completely destroyed. The Mickey Mouse Bridge, however, miraculously remained intact alongside other interstate bridges in the region. This unusual resilience … a small local bridge surviving when so many others were lost … is widely believed to be the reason for its whimsical name. The “Mickey Mouse” moniker may also be a lighthearted nod to its small, charming, and somewhat cartoon‑like appearance. The Mickey Mouse Bridge is a historic crossing on the old Pacific Highway, located just upstream from where the Toutle River joins the Cowlitz River near Castle Rock.}}
I agree that the metal bridge is a charming sight against the country backroad scenery - but, I fail to see the "cartoon-like appearance" that would in any way, shape, or form; be likened to the mickey mouse cartoon character:
{{The Mickey Mouse Bridge
~The Historic Pacific Highway in Washington/Toutle River Crossing
In 1936, the old Pacific Highway was undergoing an upgrade to become U.S. Highway 99. The old 2 lane bridge over the Toutle River built in 1913 was too narrow for the new roadway and was removed. In its place, a new wider bridge over the river was built to the west of the old one. This is a riveted 10 panel Pennsylvania through truss bridge 366 feet long and 44 feet wide. I do not know why it is now called the Mickey Mouse Bridge.
In 1953 the new 4-lane US Highway 99 was routed onto the "Toutle Curves" and the old Pacific Highway at the Toutle river. The Mickey Mouse bridge was re-striped for 4-lanes. This was a dangerous place as the old Pacific Highway had to merge onto the new expressway. This arraignment lasted until the twin bridges were built over the Toutle river to the west in 1969.
On May 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens erupted. The immense volcanic lahars flooded the Toutle river with ash and debris and washed out many of the bridges downstream. The Mickey Mouse bridge along with the interstate bridges survived the devastation that had rumbled down the river.
The sand bar at the Mickey Mouse bridge has been a place where the locals would come to during the hot summer months to take a dip in the river and have a picnic. The sand bar makes an ideal beach and has been used by the locals for over a hundred years.
https://pacific-hwy.net/mickey.htm
The Toutle River is a 17.2‑mile tributary of the Cowlitz, formed by the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork Toutle near the community of Toutle, below Mount St. Helens.
The river’s course has been shaped by the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, which sent lahars and debris into the channel, and by later dredging and sediment control works. Today, the Mickey Mouse Bridge remains a notable landmark, marking the historic route and the river’s passage in this scenic stretch of Cowlitz County.}}
When Bleu & I got back home - and Holland had sufficient time for his morning coffee to clear his mental cobwebs … we drove to the U-Haul in Kelso, grabbed a moving van, extra boxes, a wardrobe box; and returned home to start the packing process. On the freeway, I followed in Betsy as Holland drove the van.
We were able to pack & transfer a significant amount of stuff from Independence to the van before the rain started. We also noticed that Bleu had escaped … and Holland had to go track him down. He didn't go too far afield - but he was ignoring our calls; so, when Holland finally located him & Bleu saw Betsy - he lowered his ears, hung his head, and got into the back seat knowing he had been a very bad dog. He had frightened us in his sneaky moment. I was afraid he had wandered down the embankment and was running alongside the freeway: we were both worried someone may have dognapped him. He got a stern talking to & was tethered the rest of the time we worked.
We drove into Castle Rock to get some chicken for supper; but was almost to tired to chew it.
Bleu got a bowl full of Rachel Ray Chicken chow … and remorsefully snuggled close to me, snoozing to the sleepy time rhythm of the rainfall when it arrived:
Holland & I, sleepy also & tired from today's busyness, avoided hot topic interactions; and took relaxing hot showers, preparing for tomorrows trip to Oregon, where Holland is hoping to secure our new Home.
If that falls through, we're gonna grab our duffle go-bag, and hit the open road, running down other leads in far-flung states.
