Squalicum Bay

      I recently posted about  the joys of Squalicum Park and have also posted about the port and great sea life petting zoo.  If you venture past The Bellwater Motel and all of the snazzy restaurants  just before the road turns to go under the tall bridge, if you go straight down the dirt road, you pass the factories and than come to a nice sized parking lot.  Also the start of this park.  Wild grasses lead you to the welcoming bay, or follow the trail right to water and lots of rocks and tide pools to explore.

    First I must complain a little.  I have written this before, but am in hopes that as I gain more readers, things change even a little.  And by some off chance, this lady will read the following, and think a little more, before she ventures into the outdoors next time:

      

 This is Mr Max down by the bay.   Yesterday in fact.  Notice how he is on a leash?  I always keep him on a leash.  Because it's the law, because I am not sure how he will handle other dogs, and because the few times I have let him run free, he kept running.   I have mentioned this before, and will again--in fact there are several "mini rants" about poor pet owners already.   But yesterday this topic hit home twice while around Bellingham.   Once while at Laurel Park near WWU campus.   None of the dogs that visited were on a leash.   I did not have Max with me at this point, and was just wearing out the kiddos while my wife was at a doctor appointment.  I do not care how well you know your dog---he will not act good 100% of the time.   And I do not appreciate your dog as much as you do.  I do not want it licking me, biting me, or sniffing my crotch.  I am at the park for the kids.   

     The second --more annoying example is while we were down by the bay.   This time we had Max with us.  And no one else magically had there dogs on leashes.  All of the dogs played very nicely with Max.  In fact he might have made a new girl friend.   But I still had to pull at him to continue down the trail.   Followed by others dogs when we first took off.   The last dog we encountered was not so friendly.  And Max was instantly ready to add some bite marks to this unleashed dog.   The owner had just informed me at how well her dog reacted around other mutts.   "As I can see"  was my first response.  As I was pulling my leashed dog down the trail, to our car, I pointed at the near by park signs with my other hand.  And tried to inform the lady that most of them said to keep dogs on a leash.   As she argued this point, I informed her how much I love pulling my dog off all of the other dogs that's owners just let them roam free.  I am sure this section will land in my Bellingham blog---and I hope with more readership this owner and many others will read my rants and think a little bit next time they voyage out.   Hahahahaha---OK I just made myself laugh a little on that one!   Later today I hope to post a new exploring blog!  And tomorrow brings back my "mini rants"   this one will deal with bad pet parents --who in my eyes basically abuse there pets.   I hope you read all about it, and have insight----for or against my thoughts.  You can post your thoughts any time on this blog.   Or if you have Facebook   please check out my new page!  Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head's Blogs Exploring Bellingham & Whatcom county

                                                       OK  now back to exploring!

Just out of the parking lot.  

On this day I had our two youngest kiddos and Mr Max.

As always along the bay there was plenty of kool drift wood to explore.  

Later on in the day the kids made new friends and floated around in the bay on top, mostly of old logs washed up on the bay line.   Hours of fun and a great way to cool off.

                                         Small forts and tree houses dot the country side.   

This one is huge and includes a very large flower garden.

Keep a look out for this almost Eire rock.  

It forever keeps a look out over the bay.

On this day some one placed an eyeball pebble in the middle of the eye.

You are soon greeted by this sight. 

A great place to throw rocks. 

                              This tall pier is completely fenced off from explorers.

     You are never far from rail road tracks in Bellingham.  Many of the best places to look around, involve crossing the tracks in one way or another.  Leading under the tracks are many more trails. 

Soon the remains of another pier appear.

Above is a picture from under the pier. 

Many spray painted works of art can be found in this area.

Looking back on the big city...

Max always enjoys a dip in the ocean.

This is also the area our daughter found a floating pumpkin in the water.  

Neat but also very random. 

Around another bend you are greeted by the remains of this old building.

On the look out!

        Exploring in this area is recommended during low tide.  That way you stay much dryer and the rocks are far less slick.  Much further up the trail-- in fact you are past the airport----is the below pictured, huge fort.  Complete with a look out station on the top that you can climb into.  There are also books with memos from explorers from years past.   I had the kiddos with me this day, and did not wish to venture this far.   Below is a very old picture.  I have heard that the fort has since been torn down, but have not ventured that far to prove this true or not.   

Pioneer Park Ferndale, Washington

       I have posted before about Ferndale, and am slowly deciding that it would be a great place to live.  If nothing else it is a great place to explore.  A few weeks back we found ourselves along the water front and than into Pioneer Park.

  The water is running very high at this point.  But is still managing to stay in all the local river banks.  If you follow the trail, near this bridge and Main Street, you will find a great water fountain.

                                     The walking trail is also very wide and welcoming. 

     Many signs tell you about taking care of the river and the many types of fish that reside in it. 

And than you pass these great totem poles. 

      Further down the trail you get to the actual park.  This large park has baseball fields, a playground, covered picnic areas, and the city library is also here, so there is lots of parking. 

    The wagon in the entry way, is fenced in to preserve it, but many relics and old building await to be explored in the actual park.   We went on a rainy day, before summer actual kicked in.  But in the summer all of the buildings are open to tour. 

                                                                         The church

                                                              One room school house.

     You can easily spend a good deal of time here if you have kids with you or not.   

On this day we also went to the other side of the river, to Ferndale's other great park.  On Main street when you are under the underpass turn left, if you are heading into the heart of Ferndale.   Follow the signs.

   I have posted about this park before, but on that day most of  the area was flooding.  

Above is the gardens you can roam through.   Filled with local vegetation.  And everything is marked so you can identify flowers else were in your travels.  

                                    Many trails also branch out from this location. 

 Most are not pet friendly though, please note. 

     You can also explore this look out tower.   And see the sights from the top.   At the bottom you can control the camera on the side of the tower, and spot your friends in the near by fields or try to find your car in the parking lot, with the camera.

    On this day we chose to walk to the learning center.  Mostly to wear out the kiddos and our dog. 

But it is not a short walk.  And you can drive all the way to this barn.  Inside is filled with old farm equipment.  

    Behind the huge barn is pens filled with farm animals that you can feed.  From goats to huge turkeys. 

    Max our dog was very interested in the bunnies.  Luckily everything is in cages.

    More picnic areas can be found in this area.  With BBQ pits.  If you wander far enough, there is a large area for playing horse shoes.  And easy access to the river. 

                                                    Also another great tower to climb.


    Please keep checking back for tons more exploring posts!   I hope you enjoy them all.
Also do not forget about my other, longer running blog series at www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com


                                    And thank you all for all of your support!!


    

July 4th In Bellingham

         July 4th proved out to be a great day.   Activity and weather wise. 

    I show the above pictures because the clouds are very kool, at least I think so.  And to prove how sunny it was this day.   I am skipping a few exploring posts, for now to tell about the fourth before it becomes to late in the month.  


   With all the talk of banning personal fireworks around town, we thought it might be a more boring holiday.   But with three kids, lots of fireworks, and a nervous dog, it was far from boring.  Max was fine when he was with us, he just wanted to attack everything we blew up to protect us of course.  

     I was out early looking for a good spot to watch the towns firework show.  And quickly decided Boulevard Park was not it.   When I drove through the parking lot about 11 A.M. the park was already full and people were starting to set up tents.  This park fills up fast.  And if you can sneak your way up the rail road tracks towards Bellingham, fewer people are around.  We decided to BBQ at home.  And than took off for the festivities at Squalicum Park in the afternoon.  Since most events in this town are packed and full of things to do, I was kind of surprised at how few booths and activities were at the park.   Not that it isn't a beautiful park to enjoy any time of year.  

    I have a post already on this sight about roaming around the park.   And another great one in the works.   We had some time to roam around the paths and enjoy the sun. 

    The rocks are always fun to chill on or explore.   Just stay off the jetty's.  Especially in bad weather. 

      Many kites were in the air to be enjoyed by the fliers and those watching.   The currents right off the bay allow for some great kite flying!   The above kite took two people to put it back in it's box.

   This man had a neat kite.   He said that he has flown kites all around this great country, and this park is his favorite place to fly kites, by far!

                                                          Further down the trail.  

You can just see the old city hall in the background.  

Many people packed the park.   While bands played.  And an art show was held inside this main building.   Some vendor tents wrapped around the park.  

                                                                    Coloring time!

    Don't forget to visit "Willy"  down by the whale watching boats and restaurants. 

                  Many people watch the fireworks from this park also.  To many people.  So we moved on.  Ending up down by the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.   As darkness rolled in, people shot off there own fireworks.   And soon the empty fields looked like a battle field.   Smoke of all colors, dancing with the slight wind.  

    It was still to early to enjoy the light show, so I roamed with Max and got some pictures.  

Than we joined in to blow up some stuff!

Through the night, I learned again, how hard it is to take pictures of fireworks.  

I have a lot to learn on this.  

And gave up, to enjoy the show.

     Blowing up things is great fun!    It almost looks like her hair is on smoking in this picture.  

   This blurry van--we managed to annoy the passengers.   People were shooting fireworks all around us.  And he was worried that our kids were 30 feet behind his van.  And told us so.  We reminded him that we parked there first and than they pulled up, we were far from there van, and what the date of the year was.   After awhile he and his wife decided it was safer to leave.   

From our view spot that night.

We did learn that it is much better to be in one of the parks.  Although packed, there is a lot of effect being just under the light show.  With the intense lights and noise.  It diminished a lot from our view point.   And many of the local explosions were kooler than the actual show.   At least from where we were sitting.