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!!**

     

Professor Getty

   

             I have this buddy named Professor Getty.   I have worked with him  at several Wally World's and he is one of my few long term friends.  We have been there for each other for at least ten years.  Meaning it is a give and take relationship.   That is very rare.  My wife and I have recently decided that we both need new friends, because our current ones only seem to know how to take.  They only show up or call when they need something, and that usually is free baby sitting from us.  This just happened last night, but they could never handle watching our three kids.  Anyways, you are straying off topic again!   My buddy and I have logged in lots of miles lost exploring through the woods.  And have been on some crazy hikes in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona and beyond.   He is also the only person that has experienced a hike with me, and went on more!   If he ever gets wi-fi again, he will also be co writing blog posts with me.  Especially the angry "mini rants" I enjoy.

     This may or may not be his real name.  He also helped me pick "code names" for tons of Wally World workers.  And he is helping pick me a good Indian name, for when I start at the casino.  The good and the ugly, name wise.  I will later explain some cautions while picking a great "code name."  His name came about when he went back to college for about the third time.  He soon discovered he was one of the oldest people in the class.  And somehow I could picture him walking into the class room in a suit with arm patches, corduroy pants, holding a briefcase.   The class room would pause, and than assume he was the professor.   Bringing this up repeatably was one of the reasons he dropped out of school, but it was amusing.

     He came through town last month.  And of course we had time for a little exploring.  No completely crazy trip through forest and ocean.  But still a good time. 
     We started out in a great little town named Fairhaven.  Because that is were I live.

      Around The Village Green.   Many events and free shows happen here through the summer.  And it is a great place to wear out the kiddos.  

Than we had some time to smoke a cigar down by the bay. 

    If you follow State Street into Bellingham and than keep following along the shore line and the magnificent large houses, near the airport you hit a turn out.  Several trails branch out of here.  All of them are lame.  But the view can be very amazing.  Down below this huge hill is some great exploring.  And I will share about this in a very near blog post.  

                  This great plane circled us as we were out watching the bay line. 


    We soon decided it was time to move on, and headed back toward downtown.  If you take a left just after the bar--Coconut Henry's I believe it is, there are trails to explore galore!  Many lead around the Bellingham Tech College.  

    Just look for this stack.   Before the stack and the college, off to the right is a nice large sized area to park.  

              You than come upon some train cars to explore.  Do not get on the train cars! ;)

      The next day we headed off for Larrabee State Park.  Miles and miles of scenic views are offered both on the road and on the trail.   We did not head down to the beach, but decided to head up into the forest.  

   Mr Getty  showing off his rental car and survival gear from Haggins Grocery Store.  

    The trail soon got boring and we took off straight up a huge hill.    We do not favor trails, because someone has already been to were they lead.

    Another little waterfall.   The fresh water slowly making it's way to the ocean.  

I do not see how this lake could be very lost 

with this huge sign and all.

We did not make it all the way to the lake.  Mostly because the trail continued up ward and

because you and I have seen lakes before.  

Above is one.

Another blog post to come---Lake Sylvia

Please also check out my longer running blog at www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

And as always I greatly welcome your comments on my thoughts and exploring. 

Share your pictures or exploring trips!

Any guesses what the next exploring post will be about??.....

     

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!!**