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!!

A Fairhaven Christmas Story

      Last Saturday our family went on over drive and really got into the Christmas spirit.  Nana came to town for the weekend, and she shared in on the festivities.  At least the inside activities, she is from Arizona and all.   Last year found me in Wyoming -surrounded by family, but not with my kids and wife.  There is something extra special about sharing the holidays with kids.  It puts you in the spirit very quickly.   We have been watching Christmas movies on Netflix, but can not find two movies that do it for me *make me far less Scrooge-ish* every year.   Those are --National Lampoon's, Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story.  The 2nd plays 24 hours straight on cable TV each year. 

     On this day---and next weekend, Fairhaven was full of activities.   Most at the best price of free!   Also don't forget that the Farmers Market is going until the 22nd -Downtown Bellingham.  An easy way to buy local for the holidays and stay away from all the box retail giants.

The newly lit trees in The Village Green

Horse rides.

Both through Fairhaven and down near the bay from the Bellingham Terminal

Downtown Fairhaven from inside the wagon.

Waiting for the ride to start!

Time to thank the horses.

Of course Santa & his wife were present!

On to explore the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. 

Full of activities!

Including a sail in boat light show.  Something we sadly did not attend.

Events include---more horse rides

A huge gingerbread house display.

A family favorite was the Larbee School house---with two of our kiddos attending the school.

Although the crowds to view --were massive!

                                        Much dancing and music---hot cider and cookies

      

And fire truck rides!     Everything was free!!

The majestic Zodiac is docked here.

Undergoing some massive repairs.

By early afternoon it was time to return home. 

And prepare the house for Nana's visit!

We ventured just up the road to purchase our family's first real Christmas tree. 

A far cry from going out in the cold and snow to cut down a tree---something I have done before.

But this method proved just fine.

Nanny pitches in to help.

Time for a break from all the decorating.

Every year the kiddos get special ornaments and every year together

we buy a dated tree ornament.  

Finding one with the date on it, is much harder than one might think.

This years is a great Dr Sues themed one from Target.

We also always put up the handmade decorations from a Christmas of our past.

We were all living in a motel for the holidays and all of our Christmas stuff was in storage in another part of the state.

We borrowed a fake tree and made all of our own decorations.

Not saying it was a bad Christmas--there is no such thing!

But the decorations are awesome, and they remind us of how far we have come. 

I am sure your family has some great traditions.

To read about some more of ours---please check out some of my posts from last year

at another great sight of mine

www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

We also hope that you and yours have the most amazing Christmas possible!

Filled with hope, spirit, family, love and the true reason for it all

Christ!

This count down ornament now says eight days left!