Lyndan Fair---Y'All! 2012

   As always this was a great fair!  For such a small town- the event producers know how to cram a ton of fun into the week long experience.   Complete with some great, top of the line entertainment at the grandstands at night time.  We choose to go on Friday, and battled the heat most of the day. But when the sun started to set, it cooled off very nicely.   I think my major complaint, come night time, was how packed all of the rides were, but we went with our youngest to the Kiddie town and had time to actually enjoy the rides and each other a little bit.  The Century Wheel, shown above seems to have made its way in many of my pictures from the fair.  Actually there was two of them. I learned they were not Ferries Wheels, from my wife, who has a strong carnival background.  You can tell it is not a Ferries Wheel, because they carriages you ride in are mostly closed in.  

    

 Parking was fairly close, they even offered tractor rides to the main gates of the fair.  Although you might have to walk a ways, if you do not wish to pay for parking.  

         Above is just a bit of the wonderful flowers that greeted us near the entrance.  

                                           I believe this truck was around for the first fair!

    The Band of Brothers had one of the most popular spots on the mid-way.  Maybe because they were spraying down fair goers with a hose.  We made our way past them several times through the very hot day.  I went to several Band of Brothers meetings before I got my current job.  And have to say it did wanders for me and my home life.  

                                           Of course there were many animals to view!

     This calf was born earlier that same morning.  And mom was still cleaning him off.  And helping him along on his very wobbly legs.

   Possibly the best sign I found at the fair.   In the sheep pens, of course.  Proving that not all sheep are safe!   Such a baaaaad joke, I know!

     There was a whole tent of rescued birds including this proud symbol of America.

These pictures were during the goat fashion show.  Goats and owners dressed up, strutted there stuff, and won prizes. 

     Fully automated and functional tour guide robot.  Talked to any visitor brave enough to visit or ask a question.

   Temperatures set records that day.   So we had lots of liquids on hand at all times.  And than disappeared to the near by Safeway for some lunch and air conditioning.  

More cooling off time.

Self picture

    Focal point fountain near the middle of the fair grounds.  Just behind it houses some great ice cream.  Expensive but gooooood!   Although the soft ice cream was to soft in the heat to be put in cones this day ;(

A rapping Christian who had his own stage on the back of a pickup.  

Yo yo!

                                      Large elk made completely out of horse shoes.  

This ride just makes me want to ride the huge Ferries Wheel off the bay in Seattle. 

It is over 200 feet high, right on the boardwalk with enclosed, climate controlled carriages.  But more on that when we actually take the ride.

Our tax dollars at work.  Very cool Sheriff's vehicle. 

Probably bought under Home Land Security cash.

View from the top of the Century Wheel in Kiddie Land.

It was a great day as every year I have been. 

Except for some family problems near the end of the night it might have been the best fair I have been to yet.  If you made it this year, or could not---defiantly listen to the above sign and make tracks for the fair next year!

     Many many exploring blogs are in the works!   Please keep checking back and sharing this link if you like what you see.   Also contact me if you are interested in very reasonable advertising for your local business.  Large reader base can up your sales very quickly, at an amazingly small price to you.   pontos62or@yahoo.com    Steven Adams---for more information. 
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    And as always

                      **Happy Trails!!**

Ski To Sea 2012

      

                                                                 **"Get your race on!"**




    I have been so busy exploring and enjoying local activities and taking pictures, that I have been greatly slacking on posting about them.   Case and point---this blog.  This year was the 101st Ski to Sea.  And since it ends in our home town of Fairhaven, we had an easy walk to the fun!   This is an amazing race.  I have grown very "soft"  meaning my couch potato skills are taking over.  And I am in a shape, just not a good shape.  So just watching this race was, well exhausting!
     Held every Memorial Day weekend.  A limit of 500 Teams. A Relay Race of Seven Race Legs - Seven Different Sports -The course covers 90 Miles

The Ski to Sea Festival includes a 93.5 mile relay Race of seven venues from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay encompassing seven different sports. The Festival also includes a community block party with music and food, a Junior Ski to Sea Race, a historical hometown parade, and other special events that provide a wide variety of entertainment and adventure for all who participate and cheer on the contenders.      But enough history and facts---lets look at some pictures and such!  

     

  The weekend before the Jr division has there own race.  And the carnival  sets up.  My wife has several family members that work for carnivals so we watched the crew set up.  It was very entertaining actually.  I had hoped to watch them tear down on Sunday night also, but we had scheduling conflicts.  Having three kids, this happens a lot!   

For whatever reason the corn dogs at the carnival are always the best!   

You can just make out the corn dog wagon behind our youngest in the above picture.  

I probably do not want to know what they do to these to make them so good---but Mmmmm! 

**Note**  You have to look for the corn dog wagon actually on the mid-way, not one outside of the rides, for the best taste.

Waiting to ride!

At last!

Today's picture of the day!

My wife worked on carnival crews for years.   

This is in her past, but she could still work circles around much of the current crew.  

Here she is pictured in front of the last ride they set up that night. 

One her brother happened to be in charge of.  

Bird's eye view from up on the Ferris wheel.  

The following Friday night -- the have a block party in Fairhaven.  

We were not able to make that.

Saturday morning was the big parade. 

And we were greeted with full on sunshine!

After we had picked a great viewing spot, the boys and I took off to explore.  We had an hour before the parade actually started. 

    We ended up just down from the old city hall.   Wandering by the water and the park.

                                               Always a great place to skip rocks!

                                    The water through the park was running very fast.

                                        And allowed for some more great pictures!

                                                      Greeting further up the trail.

   About time for the parade to start!    This parade is always super great!  Although the kiddos were super sad that no candy was thrown from any floats.   

    Another great time to pull off a crime in Bellingham,   the police force is very busy with crowd control. 

                                                             The lone cop from Lummi??

Me in the middle of the street, waiting for the parade to start. 

                                                                 Starting time!!

                                                    Possibly the best theme of the day. 

                       I like this shot with Mt Baker Theatre in the back ground.  

                          Not only do I ride the short bus to work, I drive it.....

                      Santa even made an appearance!     I bet that suit was hot.   

                                   But it is great practice for Christmas in July

   Sunday Fairhaven was full of people.   Sponge Bob is very happy that it is also the end of the race.  

                                             The beautiful and packed finish line. 

                                               Live music on The Village Green.

I hope if you went to any or participated in Ski to Sea this year --it was a great experience for you!

And if you could not make it, go next year!

As always

**Happy Trails!!**