More Exploring

     This is going to be a quick -picture filled post.  I have several posts from this great area of Bellingham and hope that you have enjoyed them all!   Or will go back and enjoy them.  Since we are moving out of state in about 60 days--I have been trying to get all of the pictures of this beautiful area I can.  The cross country move and our new location will happily become my third blog series!  
     On this day our youngest had earned a day out-- with dinner.   He chose Subway.   There are so many of the sandwich shops in this area, I wanted to choose one were we could do a little exploring before we ate.  And we ended up down by the bay, and the outlet near The classic and elegant Bellwater Motel. 

   But first we made a detour downtown to the Alamo Apartments.   This is a classic old building near WWU and above the great downtown.  This building has a very rich history.  Although maybe not the most glamorous.  And is now a three story grouping of studio apartments.  The first time I lived in Bellingham, this is were I lived.  Anyway, one of the residents of these apartments painted a huge mural on the large outside wall of the building. 

 

This huge mural pictures many of the classic buildings that make this town great.

 

It was painted by a resident of the Alamo that was arrested years ago for painting graffiti.  And now is trying to give back to the community.

 

 

      The above is also at the Alamo, by the same artist.  And goes down the smaller wall.   If nothing else it shows how much it rains here. 


   
                                           Than it was time to go down to the bay.

    This coffee shop was closed --- but I thought the window reflections were great!  Than some quick exploring to work up an appetite. 

    Very close to here is an outlet of the Coast Guard.   And of course a large, busy marina. 

 

                                                    
                                                         Looking back at the big city!
                                                              As the sun starts to set.


     We than took off along the bay line.  And saw some great views. 

 

 

    I always try to capture views of the sun, because it is so rare this time of year. 

 

 

     You can just make out the statue in this pictures background.   For all of the brave sailors that went out, and never saw land again.

           This was shot in front of one of the many restaurants along the water.   A fountain trickles down all of the rocks and the bright light in the background is a flaming ball of fire. 

                        Next blog post is all about exploring Lummi, Washington

Cornwall Rose Garden/Beauty By The Bay

      Good morning folks!!   I have previously posted about wonderful Cornwall Park.  This park offers some great play areas, trails, and picture opportunities.  It joins the ranks of the many awesome parks in this area.  And is currently my third favorite local park.   Whatcom Falls park, *also posted about twice, now*---- and than Boulevard Park are my top favorites at the moment.   I plan to publish an entire post just about local parks.   But there are a ton of them around. 

                             One of the many mini trails around Cornwall Park.  

                            In this picture I am very happy because I have chips!

Why sit in the house?? Some of the best local exploring can be done in the rain!!

During the winter one can not wait for the rain to go away.

On these days--yes only a little over a week ago, it was actually sunny and bright outside!

 Hard to imagine or recall as I sit here watching it down pour outside.

In my roaming -I ventured further down the road to the

beautiful Cornwall Rose Garden.

On this day the flowers were in full bloom!

 I have since heard that in the middle of the night---

One can hold a flash light up to a flower for a few minutes--turn off the light

And than capture an awesome night shot.

But have not yet tried this.

                                                 Great tree on the out-skirts of the park. 

       Than it was time to venture to the bay!    When is it not time to explore the bay>?
**Again -I have posted many times of bay trips and it's beauty, Please check these past posts out. Today, some new pictures!

   This statue stands proud tribute to all of the sailors that never made it back home to there families.   It is also amazingly hard to get a picture of, with out random people in the shot!

This boat will make it home safe and sound!

                          The view is amazing from every angle---no matter the weather.

Looking over the big city! 

Mostly of WWU.

On a clear day-- you can also get some great views of Mt Baker.

Better shots of the mountain are on my To do list.  

It is amazing to me how few days you can actually see the top of the mountain.

Three of the greatest buildings in Bellingham.

Calm water behind the Bellwater Motel.

Reflections

                           As Always

                   **Happy Trails!!**

     Next exploring......

                                          Any guesses??



WWU Campus Artwork---III

          I fully enjoy exploring and wandering around the Western Campus for many reasons.  Including the many beautiful sights, coffee stands, good food, and it is a more than great spot to wear out the kiddos!   In fact I have posted twice about roaming around the large campus.   Last week, the boys and I set off to find all of the wonderful artwork strung across campus.  First off, just the setting of the school, offers some great pictures.   Add in the old buildings and views of the bay, and you can easily walk away with a ton of new pictures.  

     This post is all about the statues.  I believe there are 27 of them, and we saw them all.  Although I did not picture them all in this post.    Fair warning, some of the artwork is inside class rooms-- or in the library.  I also did not include the names of any artwork I pictured.   You can look this up, if you wish.  I was surprised to learn that many of the statues were donated in the 60's and 70's.  If you decide to duplicate our roaming, take comfy walking shoes.  To see them all you have to trek across all of the large campus.  
     We started our journey just off of McDonnell Road at the information building.  This stop offers free parking and most importantly a guide to all of the wonderful statues. 

 They have produced a full colorized book with all of the statues, brief history about each one, and a map so you can spot them all.   We each grabbed a book and set out.  On this day I was using a beyond great camera, I have been borrowing.  And the kids were each armed with disposable cameras.  All of us  ready to shoot some great finds!  

Holding there disposable cameras.

Our youngest was actually more excited that he found a motel room key---

He is holding it up in the above shot. 

     Plus they soon get to enjoy taking the cameras/film into a store and waiting to see what pictures they actually took for the first time.  With the availability and ease of the digital age, they have never enjoyed finally filling a roll of film, driving to the store, waiting for the film to develop.  And than seeing pictures from eight months ago and exactly twelve pictures of what looks like part of your hand, but could possibly be Bigfoot.   We will pass on this joy with the kids, as soon as we can locate the pictures again, the cameras went into the boys rooms.   And now on to some exploring!!

     This was one of our first stops.   This huge work of art is beyond kool.  And you can walk through the entire rock structure.  

Very near this spot---watch for the tunnel that takes you under the road and beyond.  

I do not have it pictured, because I could not get a shot with no students in the tunnel.

     We visited on a more than sunny day.  This has been an amazing October weather wise so far. And looking outside I am saddened to see that the grey gloom has returned, probably to stay for awhile.  On a foggy day the above appears to steam.  Offering very neat visuals.  I have found similar rock stacking all around Bellingham.  Especially near the bay.  

      Nestled between many of the buildings and near the track  is this structure.

This one is really neat.  Not only can you climb or study on it, at night the bottom is lit up, offering some beyond neat effects!

     Follow the wandering yellow brick road past some hard working and hard playing figures.

Catch!

Look there is one of them now!

More interactive artwork.

This piece is tucked away but worth the effort to locate.

This view lets you enjoy the full piece.

Water trickles through the whole flat statue.

In Red Square

Our youngest found a "window!"

Of course the trees this time of year offer even more beauty than normal.

I could easily offer one of many adult jokes about this piece---but will refrain.

Please feel free to send me any off color thoughts though!

The story behind this art is very neat though.

    By the cafeteria, book store, and music hall, and possibly most importantly, coffee shops- is this huge structure.  The artist worked the crane himself to create just the right look.   Beyond this  is some of the best views of the bay around. 

Find this one behind the above buildings.  

Our youngest spotted this Woolly Mammoth sinking into the tall weeds.

I have never seen this artwork before.  

     We ventured into the wooded trails for awhile to explore and wear the kids out even more. 

As the evening progressed the clouds put on a glorious show.

The Big Chair

One last stop on the way back to the car.