Aberdeen Day Two!

     Welcome back!    After the holidaze I have many new ideas and posts coming!   I hope that everyone sticks with me.  And PLEASE share these links, if you enjoy what you see here.  
Our family has been experiencing overly poor service almost every were we shop in the last few months.  I have an entire blog post about the worse offenders in the works.  But to counter the "bad karma" this might bring, I am going to post about a quality business in every new post on this sight.  As long as we actually have an enjoyable shopping, dining, or business experience.  Places that stand out and offer beyond great service, actually going the extra mile to make our day or at least be helpful.   Many have already been noted in these posts.   Our family offers them a huge thank you!   After I have a large handful, of businesses posted, I have a plan to attempt to cross publicize with them.   To freely push customers to there business and to my random web-sights.   Thank you ahead of time, to anyone that goes with this.  


      Today I have two such businesses.   ---  Before our trip out of town, and again this morning--I find myself at Midas to have our car looked at.   They have been overly professional and helpful.  Fixing what we decided was in our budget, and not pressuring us to have more things fixed.  This morning they squeezed our car right in to get looked at.  As I was driving it yesterday afternoon, both wiper blades decided to quit.  They are still stuck in the up position, and you can hear the moter running, but they will not budge.  In Washington, this is a huge problem.  Midas got the car right in to look at, and offered a very reasonable cost estimate.  They know I can not venture to work tonight with no wiper blades, and did not take advantage of the situation by jacking the price way up.   
    While they are looking at our car, it is a quick venture to Barnes & Noble.  With most actual book stores vanishing, it is awesome to have such a large book store in town!  You can roam all of the isles and books, even hide away in a corner and read ---without being annoyed by workers.  The store also has a Starbucks in it, with treats, and coffee of course.  This coffee shop is tied in with the Cheese cake factory ---so treats are expensive, but sooo good!   And offers free wi-fi, which is how I am typing up today's post!   Neither business offers outstanding service, but I have also never had poor service in a Barnes & Noble or a Starbucks.  

     I try to keep this sight as current as possible.  I also attempt to keep all exploring in Bellingham or Whatcom county.   Again today I am going to venture much further down the trail and tell a little more about our recent trip to Grey's Harbor.  For more exploring from way beyond---please check out my other blog sight at      www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com        
For my 2.5 readers in Wyoming, I have many posts about exploring Sheridan, Wyoming.  Just type "Sheridan" into the search section at the top of the blog screen.

Easily the koolest statue in Sheridan

   On to the picture filled exploring!

So on day two of our mini trip---   the rain disappeared long enough for some trail exploring.  The boys and I ventured past the house we were staying at, past the local middle school.  Through many trees and past many ponds.

I love how it is so wet that everything in Washington is green.

Even the trees are green all over.

Reflecting bridge toke us into Cosmopolis.

I apologize if I spelled the town wrong. 

                               Short section of track remaining down by the water. 
   Our youngest found the Frisbee --pictured above.   One of us seems to find at least one treasure every time we venture out.  

A few rare glimpses of the sun follow.

My readers in other states, probably do not realize how little we see of the sun in the winter time.

This is why I bring it up so much, and have so many random pictures of the sun.  

It is nice to recall what it actually looks like, and think of it's warmth!

On days that the sun does make an appearance, all residents are squinting, trying to recall what that bright light in the sky is.  And trying not to run into things while walking.

The great Northwest usually has amazing, sun filled summers, but the winter is full 

of grey and rain.

Back were we stayed, there are many cats.

Every time we ate or sat at the table- there were many glowing eyes watching us. 

My wife took this picture on the way to Aberdeen.

Considering we were on I-5 and moving, it is a very neat picture.

The Space Needle top was recently painted gold for it's 50th anniversary.

Right now it is getting a new paint job.  A tree landscape around the top. 

Voted on by residents of this state. 

We also had time to visit relatives.   

We had started to think that my wife was adopted at an early age--for many reasons.

Or maybe it was just hopeful wishing on her part.  But she looks just like this recently found sibling.

The kiddos got to see relatives too, and have an all out brawl!

Notice the fine made sock "boxing gloves!"

Than we explored many of the homes my wife lived in.

Or at least drove past them.

My wife is the only person I know, that has moved more than me.

Thank you for reading and sharing this post!

Next I return to the wonderful Bellingham area.

Last Saturday we explored Fairhaven and enjoyed all of there Christmas activities!

Another Day In Paradise!

    Good morning all!   My other more established blog uses the above picture to introduce my "mini rants."  I do not know if anyone else enjoys them, but I find them very entertaining and calming.   Plus I get to rant without really yelling at anyone.  I have not written one for awhile.  But feel free to check them all out and leave me some feedback.  http://www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com/

Today I use the picture to explain all of the construction going on in the Bellingham area.  It seems like every road is being worked on this summer.  And tons of new business construction is going on.  I can not begin to explain it all, just tell you if you are a driver in the area, expect delays.  

     With my many past experiences in court for traffic violations, all expensive.  I also believe that the roads in this area and Oregon, should be super smooth and great.  I alone have paid for the re-paving of most of I-5 and believe several court houses have an ashtray with a plaque with my name etched on them!  And every time I go to court, the court room is full.  You have to figure at least half of the people there will end up guilty and be paying into the court system.  Roads here are very nice compared to many places I have lived.  But I feel in that same thought wave, if we as a state legalize weed, and use even a fraction of the cash to finish fixing all of the roads that are now under construction, we could be driving on all streets of gold soon.   

     This blog sight is also greatly under construction.  I have a ton of new posts and ideas to add to the sight.  Including a whole list of web sights very useful for visitors and new residents to the area.  Of course there will many more pictures and exploring blogs.  Showing you were I explore and more of the free and reasonable types of entertainment this area has to offer.  

      I currently work at the Silver Reef Casino, and love my job.  More on that in a blog post soon. And this whole sight is under construction.  Adding to the fun and enjoyment for visitors with a major expansion.  Most of the highway is under construction when I come home late at night.   A good time to do highway work, but all of the flashing lights make it hard to decide which lane is yours some times.  

Last week my wife and I spent some quality time at the casino. 

I am in my work outfit because I was working. 

She came to work with me, and than tyred to win some money.  The key word is tried.  She usually does really well on the machines, until I sit down beside her, and than she starts to loose.  making me want to seek shelter at the bar.

Sadly I ended up working late, but we still had some time to hang out and enjoy the casino and each other. 

Working there also gains me deep discounts on motel rooms.  So some day we are going to pawn off the kids and spend the night there.  Of course I will include a blog about that. 

Us with our oldest, before we left the house. 

         Woods Coffee, a place I enjoy and have written about many a time, if for no other reason than maybe to gain some free coffee's.   Because things somehow taste better when they are free. **Please note, I have still not seen any free coffee.....-just sayin'   They are adding two new locations.  One on Lakeway.   The only protest I have to all of this is that Bellingham claims to be a mom and pop store type of town, but places like this and Starbucks are taking over while the little coffee shops fold up and close all over town.  There is not much sadder than a "coffee house closed" sign out front of a store.  I love the local coffee shops were you get much more personal service.   I wrote a whole blog awhile back about my favorite coffee shops all around Whatcom.  And have a 2nd edition in the works.  Please share with me your favorite spots to sip coffee, so I can try those places out also.   Of course I am typing the above paragraph while sitting in a Starbucks, so that kind of alters my opinions I guess.  

    A new family kid zone is now open on the Guide Meridian.   Our kids and I have not yet tested out the place, but they advertise reasonable prices and an adult zone, with coffee and free wi-fi.   After we visit, I will give some thoughts on the place.  I do hope they last, places like this do not seem to last long in Bellingham, or they last and the prices sky rocket!

In the midst of all of this construction talk.  

Please note, if you see this sign--there is a large bump coming. 

It might be a mile past the sign, but it IS coming and it will be a LARGE bump.

    

     I also must quickly add that I had before thought that the above sign was a joke.  But a few months back while my family was exploring, we spotted the same sign.  And it is real, for speed bumps entering the air force base.  

     We reside in the great little town of Fairhaven, so now some construction news closer to our home. 
    I talked the other day about having great donuts at Rocket Donuts downtown.  They are expanding with a 2nd location right in the heart of Fairhaven.  In a large build also including the new location for the flower store.  This construction sight takes up the surrounding sidewalk, but has many peep holes so young and old can watch what is going on.  

   Off Old Fairhaven Parkway they are building some new condos.  This is a fun sight to watch because it looks totally different every day we pass the area.  Plus many of the local residents are protesting the dig.  Because of wildlife and water runoff.   Not pictured is a large tree stump that remains, although everything around it is dug up.

   The above farmers Co-op and a tool store just opened further up the Parkway.  I was aware that it was under construction, but not that it had already opened for business.  You find this just before the entrance onto the freeway across from the AM/PM gas station.  

  Even the trails are under construction.  Friday the kiddos and I took off in the afternoon and ventured out Slater road.   I pass these trails every day on the way to work, and had been wondering were they lead.  From the road it looks like they just journey through fields.  This is partially true.  We stopped in the parking lot just before the large iron bridge.  

   Eventually we ended up in the wonderful parks in Ferndale.  I have several past blog posts about these parks.  After getting back to the car, we than cut across to Ferndale and attempted to go to the street festival.  I can not say about Saturday, when more events were hopefully going on, because we did not find a need to go back.  Friday evening was highly disappointing.  With maybe a block of activities --mostly consisting of a stage and a super large beer garden. 

                        But in today's theme will add that this playground was just added.  

On this warm day I was some what jealous that the ducks had a pool and we do not.

But when you rent, you can not just start digging!

     So last month I rambled on a little bit about a man who robbed the local Banner Bank in Fairhaven.  I still find it amazing that anyone can rob a bank and get away with it in this day and age.  And this guy got away on a bicycle.  Anyways, last Tuesday the same man hit the same bank, and again got away on a bike!   Did they not beef up security?  If you have your cash at this bank, maybe you should consider some were safer, like your bed mattress.  And all of this makes me start to really think I should buy a new bike!

                                   And now for today's picture of the day!   Wahoo!  

  I have really been into tree and cloud pictures lately.  This was shot Friday afternoon just outside our back door.  An the never ending attempt for the perfect picture, I find it amazingly calming to roam around and take pictures.  I hope you the reader enjoy my shots, even half as much as I enjoy taking them.  

      Were do you think I should explore next?  Do you have better pictures than mine?  Please share!   All comments help me improve my posts.  To my e mail  pontos62or@yahoo.com   or my newest page on Facebook at    

1. Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head's Blogs Exploring Bellingham & Whatcom county

Lake Sylvia-- Grays Harbor

         Today's post ventures out of Bellingham and even Whatcom county to Grays Harbor.    This is across the state of Washington from here.   A good five hour drive, on a perfect day of driving.  So, much longer on most days, because the journey takes you through Seattle.  Lately it seems that traffic picks up around Everette and might not ever get denser on your voyage.   On this day we had school functions to attend during the day, and did not do it our way and hit the highway, until about 4 P.M.  So we soon hit traffic gridlock and the I-5 turned into a giant parking lot.  

 Our car really did not like the stop and stop traffic added with the heat, and the engine started to over heat.  So we were soon parked on the side of the road for about half an hour.   Letting the traffic thin out a little bit, and mostly letting the engine cool off.  I am happy to report that a few people actually did stop to see if we and the kids were O.K.   There are still good people in this world!   

     Add some more pictures to my huge album of me beside vehicles with the hood up.

Max loves a car ride.

Although he was not sure he wanted to get in a car again after this trip. 

Here he is being my back seat driver!

Rest stop along the way. 

    I attempt to keep this blog page about activities and exploring Bellingham and the Whatcom area, but occasionally we take a worthy trip that leads us further down the road.   This trip was clear back in June, but with my new job and such, this page has been taking a back seat, very sadly.  Starting today I am bumping up posts and work on this page.   My wife had been planning a family reunion for her side of the family for a year, and it was at beautiful Lake Sylvia.   The old stomping grounds for her and her family when they were growing up.  

     Most of the time I recommend making a high speed U-Turn in the middle of the road, when you see the above sign, although I do love the city motto.   But this trip was for a great cause, and it was the best time we ever had in the harbor.   In the past, bad fates awaited us in the harbor every time we visited some how.  

   These signs are all along the coast line---but I figure if you are that close to the ocean and a Tsunami hits, you might as well stop and enjoy the view!

Another helpful sign!

My wife and host for the event!

I must say she did an awesome job.

    We had a great turn out, and more than enough food.   I was happily in charge of the BBQ.

                         Mr Max stood watch in case any of us dropped any food.   

   After I had cooked up enough food and had time for a few plates full of grub, Max and I wandered around the lake because there is always time to explore!

A boardwalk leads you around the lake and up to the old dam.

Many trails and camp sights fill the area also.

    After you pass the bridge near the parking lot, restrooms, playground, and care takers housing, is the above.   This round piece of wood is hundreds of years old and was used by loggers.  They would stand on it in the water, and see how long they could stay above water.

The entire clan!

A great old court house in Hoquim, WA.

Court houses are always very cool buildings. 

    We stayed in Aberdeen --a few miles away.    Beyond the great city slogan shown above on the city sign, the town also holds claim to the only mall I have ever seen that is literly sinking into the swamp land it was built on.   The contractors must have built this place and laughed all the way to the bank, and than fled the country.   If you walk inside, the floor tile ripples and warps up and is not even close to even.   It is kind of like walking drunk.   Most of the stores have pulled out of the  "mall."   The malls claim to fame is not that it is sinking --but that Tom Cruise visited the mall once.  There are many pictures of this inside.  Inside the mall that is, not inside this blog. 

     We stayed in our awesome hosts yard, so that we did not impose toooo much.   In the above huge tent that we had just bought.   We did not have time to test the tent before the trip, so found ourselves extra glad it did not leak.   The rain paused long enough for the reunion, but we did not see to many other breaks in the rain.   It is Washington state though.

    One of the many kittens were we stayed.    The kiddos and the kittens were at constant battle.

I do not mind kittens because they are not yet cats.   But Max does not like cats at all.   

  One of the few peaceful moments between the kittens and the kiddos!

    Sunday just happened to be Father's day and we enjoyed the states new booze laws on Saturday night.  

                                          MANY more exploring posts in the works!

      Also please check out my more established blogs at www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

With 300+ posts to roam through now!!

  And as always......

                   **HAPPY TRAILS!!**