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!!

Another Great Weekend Playing In Bellingham

Summer made an appearance in our area, and was out in full glorious force over the weekend.  

Our family took full advantage of this, all weekend long.   

**The above great painting is on Rail Road Avenue by Man Pies**

I am sitting on our front deck--trying to ignore the neighbors and fully enjoying another sunny day, this Wednesday.   As the sun starts to go down, and the temperatures get nicer.  I am recalling the weekend, and digesting.  Because our family just ate at the Home Town Buffet.   

They are featuring steak every night and have an Icee machine now.  And the cliff notes are:  I ate way to much.     

First off----any guesses what my next exploring blog post will be about?  

And now it is time for my picture of the day!  

OK this concept needs a new title.

But it is what it is.   

I show a picture I took--try to keep them newer pictures, and than explain a little bit about the picture.

This is right down town Bellingham.

I have shot many great pictures in this area, just down from the old city hall building. 

This was just a few weeks ago, and is another reminder of how fast all of the area water is flowing. 

Stay out of the faster moving water!

That said---- I start my weekend with our family at the Aquatic Center.  

  Our oldest turned 12 on the 3rd of July, and he wanted to have his party, swimming.  My wife and I had never been to the building, and we took the family there during free swim.  They have family prices and single prices that are very reasonable and offer the whole area for two full hours.  We had a great time in the huge pool, hot tub, and slide that wraps in and out of the building.  A great way to beat the heat for sure!    

     Saturday it was time to give mommy a break, and I took off with all of the kiddos.  Including an extra.   We explored the Saturday market.   Always enjoyable.   The above statue is also praising the sun!   For more on the market  please check out    http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/2012/05/great-saturday.html

This market trip was fueled by Woods Coffee!

   Than we all went to Wally World.   The birthday boy had birthday cash to spend.  And so did all of the kiddos, just in lesser amounts.   I worked with the company for eight long years, so dislike the box store.  But some how like it less every time we visit.   I am still not sure how that is possible.  

    And than we ventured to Boulevard Park.   Always a great place to soak in the rays and the sights.    I have posted about this park several times already.  So I will not say much here.  But simply post some new pictures I got while there. 

Happy day!   

The view just past the coffee shop.

Me fully enjoying the sun as the kiddos played.  

Just above the park.  

I call this one

"coffee with friends!"

    On Sunday we ventured to Lake Padden for the day.   And enjoyed the water and some BBQ steaks!   The only good thing we have gotten at Wally World for awhile.   Yes, they came from Wal  Mart.    I was surprised how good they were.  

Can you smell the steak??

Another trail to explore!

Again I have talked about the lake before --so will just post some new pictures.   

Did I mention I love pictures?

Our dog Max  drying off. 

Next I will tell about Ski to Sea---yes finally!

Here I am waiting for the parade to start, while in the middle of the street. 

I also have many other posts in the works!

Including the 4th of July, our trip out of the area to Lake Sylvia, free & cheap local entertainment,  

More Chuckanut exploring, walking and viewing all of the statues on WWU campus, Pioneer Park, The bay, And many many more!

And as always

**Happy Trails!!**