Views near Perris and Moreno Valley, California

These views were taken from Interstate 215 between Perris and Moreno Valley, California, on November 29, 2006. This view shows Terri Peak, part of the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. At an elevation of 2,569 feet, it is the highest point in the recreation area that can be hiked to. In the foreground is a Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers yard near Perris, California.

This is another view of Terri Peak on the left, and Big Rock on the right. Though they appear about the same height, Terri Peak is much further away on the opposite side of Lake Perris. Big Rock is approximately 180 feet tall and is popular for rock climbing. In the foreground is a Ross Distribution Center near Perris, California.

This is the rear end of a retired United States Air Force Lockheed C-141B Starlifter cargo plane at the March Field Air Museum at the March Air Reserve Base between Perris and Moreno Valley. This aircraft entered service in 1964 and was retired to the museum on November 10, 1999. The Air Force retired its last Starlifters in 2006.

This is Box Springs Mountain, which separates Moreno Valley from nearby Riverside. At 3,083 feet tall it is the highest peak in the Box Springs Mountains range. The name comes from a natural spring of water around which a resident built a wooden box to contain the flow of water.

In 1966, a letter "M" was embedded on this side of the mountain as a symbol of Moreno Valley High School. The City of Moreno Valley would not be incorporated until December 3, 1984. This was not the first letter on Box Springs Mountain, however; in 1957 a letter "C" was embedded on the other side of the mountain facing Riverside, about 1,500 feet above the University of California - Riverside campus.

Mt. St. Helens Ash Plumes & Eclipse in October 2004

Over several days in early October 2004, Mount Saint Helens released several plumes of steam and ash.

These pictures were taken from Rainier, Oregon, looking across the Columbia River.

While I was taking pictures of the ash plume, a car carrier came by heading down the Columbia River.

Texas Highway is a car carrier operated by K-Line. It was built in 2003.

On October 27-28, 2004, a total lunar eclipse occurred, giving the moon a slightly reddish hue.

Here are some pictures of another ash plume. I am not sure if this was still in October 2004, but it was definitely by May 2005. This might be March 8, 2005.

Below are some more pictures of an ash plume taken by my dad, Cliff West, sometime between October 2004 and May 2005. Judging from the trees it was during the winter. I am not sure if this is the same plume as above from March 8, 2005, but it might be.

Photo by Cliff West

Photo by Cliff West

Photo by Cliff West