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

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!!**

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!