Barkley Village

    Like most of Bellingham, this whole area is highly under construction.  Un-like much of the town, I feel this small area deserves it's own page.  To tell of the many wanders, mostly including coffee shops of course, but also some great exploring, and shopping for those that want to shop.  Fair warning, the people seem to be a little more "uppy" and I would class many of them as Yuppies.  I have complained before about how bad the trails are in this area for people with dogs -bagging up there poo, and than leaving it all over the trails.  I feel it is just like camping, and you should pack out what you bring in to the area, and that if one is to good to pick up there own dogs poo, they should just walk there dog on there own property.  But that's just my two cents--- take it or leave it.     The above huge clock can be seen from quite a distance, and informs you, you are in Barkley Village. 

  

 

 

    The new, very bright signs, across the street also tell you of your location.   This posting is for the new Woods Coffee shop-  A very grand place to enjoy coffee.  But there are many choices for brew, very close.

 

 

     My wife and I stopped at the than newest coffee shop- a few months ago.  Now there newest location on Lakeway has also opened.   I have not ventured to that store yet.  You can just make out the logo on the black painted building, with the new movie house towering in the back ground.  This is a very nice coffee shop.   Right across the street you can enjoy two Starbucks.   One is in the Haggins Grogery store, so very compact.  The other is a full sized shop, with a fireplace.  Than just down the road, on Sunset Drive, is yet another Starbucks.  The small mom & pop coffee house sadly does not exsist in this end of town.  

 

 



   A huge set of parking lots sets behind the movie house and coffee shop.  Making me very sure that more buildings are coming to the area.   I was surprised at the massive amounts of security cameras -for just a parking lot though.    Past all of the pavement, a pond complete with several fountains can be enjoyed. 

 

 

    Just down the road is a bike/walker crossing or you can cross at the four way stop light. 

 

 

  This gazebo sits right beside the Haggins grocery store.  Beside this is a much smaller fountain, great for cooling off in during the summer.  On this day it was not yet turned on.   Behind the structure are many trails to be explored!   Down the slight hill to the left you soon pass these old remains of the railroad system.

 

 

 

 



                       Similar sights can be spotted all around this great town.

   From the gazebo, if you venture to the right  many trails lead one all around town.   Much of this area is wet lands and run off areas, so venturing off the trails can quickly lead to muddy/soaked feet.  

     Later that day the sun decided to make an appearance and we ventured once again down to the bay in Boulevard Park.  I have many blog posts filled with pictures from here.  Please check them all out.    I end up by the water a lot!    Here are some new pictures.

 

 

    We parked off of State Street and crossed this bridge that goes over the train tracks than down to enjoy the park and sunshine. 

 

 

Max on the look out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Since we are moving cross country very soon, I have been out snapping some more great shots.  I hope to find the time to categorize them all soon.   With the move will come much more exploring and pictures.    I will also start a brand new page---all about exploring Arizona.    Using many things I have learned and done wrong with this page.   It will center from our new home town, and than venture out as I have time.   Also I will be incorporating advertising and my own line of greeting cards.    Please view my past blog posts, for my best exploring pictures.   And visit my first blog sight at      www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

 

I have many exploring posts on that sight too!    And please pass on the links if you enjoy what you see! 

 

 

                                                         **HAPPY TRAILS!!**

 

Lake Padden ---Winter 2012

       A week into the new year, and I am just now making my first post of the new year.  I hope all of my readers had an overly wonderful Christmas and have at least managed to keep one of your New Years resolutions!!   I have tons of posts, ideas, and improvements for this and my Facebook page---please bear with me ;)   Please check it out if you have Facebook: Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head's Blogs Exploring Bellingham & Whatcom county
      First I wish to share this local picture---- It is down by Boulevard Park and actually goes with last weeks blog post.  But I forgot to add it to the blog.  It started out as a picture I was going to delete, and than I blew the picture up, and well, wow if I do say so myself.   This was shot right before the coffee shop.

      The following is another example --- shot in the same park, near the wooden board walks....

But today we talk about wonderful Lake Padden.

And by we, I mean I!

I have posted about the area before--- but about all the summer activities.

On Christmas Eve, I some how had the day off work, and ventured to the lake, camera in hand. 

I actually had no destination when leaving the house, but was truly coffee fueled!  

Living in Fairhaven -I was not previously aware how close the lake really was to our house.   It is literally -right down the road.  

A week later I returned with our dog, Max and our two oldest kiddos. 

This mirror image almost can not be beat.

Although Bellingham has seen snow all around the town, we still have yet to see the white stuff here.

Last week the kiddos and I were going to venture up Mt Baker to actually see/play in the snow, but it was too cold.   More on that--after it actually happens. 

No snow, but a light dusting of frost could be found.

This area offers all kinds of recreation-- year round. 

I love trying to capture images and ripples in the water

The clouds on this day were again amazing. 

They have been very neat lately--- blowing in off the mountains and the bay.

Perhaps it has always been this way

I just notice them more now. 

We parked just past the horse trailer parking and took off on some of the many trails around the lake.  Instantly heading to the right, and away from the tennis courts.

This lake side bench offers a great view as well as a place to rest and think. 

On this day it was also a spot for tribute and reflection on the New Year.

     Through the gorge trail, the water trickles ever down wards heading to one of my favorite spots---the bay. 

        We had time for some off trail exploring.    You almost can not make out the kids, because they are wearing camouflage coats.

This up-rooted tree could make a great dry spot.   

Not that it ever rains in Washington!

Huge old trees all around the trails make great sights.

At least in my eyes.

This dew covered leaf appears to be hanging on for dear life.

Pump house.

Of course this is just a small portion of all of the exploring just in this small area of Whatcom.  

Next post finds us once again down by the bay.  

Watching the sun set.

I hope you enjoyed.

In an attempt to gain many more local readers---please pass on the links to this page.

So many trails---so little time.

And as Always

**Happy Trails!!**

Down By The Bay Again.

    I hope everyone had a very wonderful Christmas!   Today I share some pictures from exploring a week or so before Christmas.  I heard that the Boulevard Park area was flooding, because of extremely high tides mixed with lots of rain.  I unfortunately did my exploring after the waters had receded back to normal.  For some amazing photos and video of the bay attacking back, and flooding much of the park, please go to The Bellingham Herald web sight.   

You can see from the debris that the water line was way up, just the day before.

I find myself down by the bay all the time.  

Please check out many of my old posts for some other great pictures.  

The all have bay or water related titles.  

I hope you enjoy these new pictures.

                                                  This is shot right before the coffee shop.

As the sun slowly disappears it gives some great glow to the water.

    On this evening Max and our oldest were along with me.   We soon headed towards the amazing boardwalk. 

Down below the boardwalk.  

Looking up this amazing rain and wind weathered rock. 

You can just catch a glimpse of the sea and sun set in the back ground.

I personally really enjoy the above picture.

Down the trail between the sets of boardwalk.

We than packed up and headed down by the Fairhaven Terminal to get a few more shots.

I have so many pictures of this tree.

Roam through all my posts to see more of it and more great water shots.

Thank you for reading!  

Next we explore around Lake Padden.

And as always

HAPPY TRAILS!!