Teddy Bear Cove

                                                      **Fair Warning!**


        I have read most of the local hike/activity/guide books and have never seen this warning before.  And I feel into this fact by accident the first time.  It usually holds true.  
    On this trip--my  warning proved true again! Old guys like to swim and sun bath here nude. Like 80+ year old guys.  I believe I shielded our youngest from seeing the sagging wrinkly sights--only because I have not heard him tell his friends or mom about the older man that jumped out of the water just as we were passing, who was completely nude.    Again---Fair warning.   And now some pictures of the other sights!




       A short drive up the Chuckanut Mountain road way towards Larrabee State Park leads to a few parking lots that are still free.  One is easy to pass, but look for the one way entrance just after the large flashing lights on the wide turn.   This meets you with a long twisty trail right down to the cove.  Recall it is a long trail back uphill to your car also, so do not over due yourself while swimming nude.  

                                                         The view from the parking lot. 

The views are well worth the trip down the trail.  

You do have to cross the rail road tracks to get to the bay.  So keep pets and kiddos close at hand.

This is also one of the only local bay areas were you can play in actual sand. 

  And of course there is plenty of rocks and such to explore.   This whole cove also offers some of the clearest water!

                                              X marks the spot!     Underwater message.


   Above this first cove also offers some great views and more exploring.  We originally roamed to this spot to capture some pictures of a massive sail boat I had before spotted---docked in the cove.   But alas I had waited to long, the ship was roaming the outer limits of the bay--in full beautiful sail.   Sadly I took the wrong camera that day, and you can just make out the magnificent ship in the below pictures back ground. 

       On this day we ventured to the right of the cove.   You can stay far away from the rail road tracks and walk along the bay.  In fact there is soon water on both sides of you.

         As always I warn everyone from walking on the tracks, no mater how fun it may be.  

The only trains that are safe to climb on or around are in museums. 

This is in Ogden, Utah

                              More great bay line, large rocks, and views await for the adventurous. 

       In the hills and around this 2nd cove are huge houses.  Also a ton of that deep sticky dark black mud that one sinks into slowly.  

                                                                    Huge house with a view. 

At this point, I distracted our youngest and our dog down by the water.  Skipping rocks in always hours of entertainment.  

And I ventured slightly up the trail.  This train bridge was one of the most un-nerving events I have tried in awhile.  Most of the boards were beyond lose.  And looking to the sides at the flowing water, gave the illusion that the bridge was moving.  I will not dwell on this, because one is not supposed to be on this bridge unless you are a train.  I am not.  

                                                        On the bridge looking down. 

                                                    This is defiantly were to turn around!


                      But if one were to venture over or through this mountain some how---it is not that long of a walk, back into Fairhaven.   Just sayin'        

                                                           My hike buddy "The Ninja!"

                                             Extreme close up of me   down by the bay. 




     It was nearing super time, so at this point we started back to the car.   If you have more time, stay to enjoy the sunset.

    To the left of our starting point at the bottom of the trail, another sand filled cove awaited.  

    A short adventure, but well worth the hike.   Although the trip back up to our car reminded me that I have asthma for sure!   


                     Any guesses were my next exploring hike will be about??    

       As always ---please send your guesses to me.   Or any comments~!   
Also check out my more established, long running blog at
http://www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com/

Larrabee State Park

      A few afternoons ago I ventured just up the road.  It was a Wednesday to be exact, because I had just passed my driving test, and become an official threat--- eerrr  driver in Washington state again.  In an attempt to show my skills and make up for years of not driving, our oldest, Max the Dog, and I took off for some exploring before dinner.  As I have mentioned before we reside in Fairhaven, and the Chuckanut mountains and State Park are a very short drive away.  Endless miles of trails and great views await.  
      On this day I also had several missions in mind.  Wear out Max.  Get a nice drive in.  And check out a portion of the park for our wedding ceremony next year.  The celebration will be in May, so it is a 50/50 chance that it will rain.  We are open to any building or sight suggestions in the Bellingham area that are cost efficient.  Yes I already call this beautiful lady my wife.  For those of you that have not gotten the memo, or maybe just because I do not always explain myself correctly.  We snuck away March 19th and got married at the court house.  No one except our two witnesses and our kids attended.  So next years ceremony is for us, family, and friends.  Were we can wear the snazzy clothes and celebrate.  
           On a side note--- Please check out my other more established blog:
www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com        


    With 260+ posts to roam through, you will surly find at least one good laugh or good picture!

     
                        Now back to the original topic.  My does your mind wander!?


     After winding down the road you come across the well marked entrance to the park.  Keep turning right and you enter the camp sights.  Many well maintained sights for all types of campers await with the bay very close at hand.   Watch out for hungry squirrels and raccoons that can raid your camp without you even knowing it.  
     If you keep to the left you enter a large parking lot boarderd by flowers.   Several standing BBQ's are scattered across the grass.  A small play ground is just past the parking area.  The above amphitheatre makes a great place to "be on stage."  Just to the left of that is a large covered building.   With lots of benches and even running water sinks, for the days that turn to rain after leaving the house.  Several water stations/pumps are close to here also.  Follow the trail to the right of the covered picnic tables under the rail road tracks.  

   Paintings line the walls of this short tunnel.  Starting with mountain scenes and wildlife and than turning into pictures of the sea and sea creatures near the bay exit.   

     Many trails lead in both directions.  And soon gives way to easy beach access.  

  Another very helpful sign.   While staying on trails may be boring, it helps protect the native plants.   

     

    Place to unload your boats from the trail up above.   Just past this area is the park boundaries and some very nice homes with some of the best views around!  

 After the tunnel if you take a left, you hit more shore line with lots of kool rocks to climb over.  Watch your step, the "sea goo" is very slippery.  During low tide, tide pools are great for exploring.  It is always fun to look for lost treasures that have washed up.  Reports of items from the Japan disaster last year, are showing items washed up along the Washington coast.  One lucky hiker in Oregon, found a semi trailer with an intact Harley Davidson inside.  The Oriental  owner was found by the licence plate number.  I have never found anything close to this kool, but shells and random glass are usually abundant depending on were you roam.  Especially the further you get from the beatin' path.     On this day starfish were out in full force!  

  As the signs say---sea life is for observing and maybe taking pictures of.  Leave all creatures on the beach in there home, for others to enjoy.  

    Water is always calming to me.   This is a close up in the cove if you stay to the right.  After the above mentioned tunnel.   

  Islands dot the water where ever you look.  You can just spot a sail boat near the larger mountain in this picture.  

                                     Old wood  washed up on the beach years ago.

     
                                 On the way back up to the trails and than the parking lot.  

                                                         Our tour guide for the hike today!


                         This was a quick adventure, but it ended with full on sunshine!  


     And now it is time to guess were I was exploring today.  Or at least during a great sun filled Saturday morning.  Any guesses?  Again this is an easy one.  They will get harder.  Were do you think I should hike next???

     I hope everyone has an awesome weeksend!   Mine is going great so far.   Events abound allllll summer long in the Bellingham area.    A few coming up soon include:


 May 18th    is bike or walk to school or work day.
May 18-19th  is the welding rodeo at Bellingham Tech
The carnival is in town starting next week at the Bellis Fair Mall
Ski to Sea comes to Fairhaven soon!


  If you have any pictures from last nights Ladies Night Out in Fairhaven----- please contact me or upload them on my Facebook page!    http://www.facebook.com/WyomingJackBobbleHeadsBlogs
      Also if you have any upcoming events, pictures, or, comments on anything you see in my blogs.