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

Barkley Village

    Like most of Bellingham, this whole area is highly under construction.  Un-like much of the town, I feel this small area deserves it's own page.  To tell of the many wanders, mostly including coffee shops of course, but also some great exploring, and shopping for those that want to shop.  Fair warning, the people seem to be a little more "uppy" and I would class many of them as Yuppies.  I have complained before about how bad the trails are in this area for people with dogs -bagging up there poo, and than leaving it all over the trails.  I feel it is just like camping, and you should pack out what you bring in to the area, and that if one is to good to pick up there own dogs poo, they should just walk there dog on there own property.  But that's just my two cents--- take it or leave it.     The above huge clock can be seen from quite a distance, and informs you, you are in Barkley Village. 

  

 

 

    The new, very bright signs, across the street also tell you of your location.   This posting is for the new Woods Coffee shop-  A very grand place to enjoy coffee.  But there are many choices for brew, very close.

 

 

     My wife and I stopped at the than newest coffee shop- a few months ago.  Now there newest location on Lakeway has also opened.   I have not ventured to that store yet.  You can just make out the logo on the black painted building, with the new movie house towering in the back ground.  This is a very nice coffee shop.   Right across the street you can enjoy two Starbucks.   One is in the Haggins Grogery store, so very compact.  The other is a full sized shop, with a fireplace.  Than just down the road, on Sunset Drive, is yet another Starbucks.  The small mom & pop coffee house sadly does not exsist in this end of town.  

 

 



   A huge set of parking lots sets behind the movie house and coffee shop.  Making me very sure that more buildings are coming to the area.   I was surprised at the massive amounts of security cameras -for just a parking lot though.    Past all of the pavement, a pond complete with several fountains can be enjoyed. 

 

 

    Just down the road is a bike/walker crossing or you can cross at the four way stop light. 

 

 

  This gazebo sits right beside the Haggins grocery store.  Beside this is a much smaller fountain, great for cooling off in during the summer.  On this day it was not yet turned on.   Behind the structure are many trails to be explored!   Down the slight hill to the left you soon pass these old remains of the railroad system.

 

 

 

 



                       Similar sights can be spotted all around this great town.

   From the gazebo, if you venture to the right  many trails lead one all around town.   Much of this area is wet lands and run off areas, so venturing off the trails can quickly lead to muddy/soaked feet.  

     Later that day the sun decided to make an appearance and we ventured once again down to the bay in Boulevard Park.  I have many blog posts filled with pictures from here.  Please check them all out.    I end up by the water a lot!    Here are some new pictures.

 

 

    We parked off of State Street and crossed this bridge that goes over the train tracks than down to enjoy the park and sunshine. 

 

 

Max on the look out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Since we are moving cross country very soon, I have been out snapping some more great shots.  I hope to find the time to categorize them all soon.   With the move will come much more exploring and pictures.    I will also start a brand new page---all about exploring Arizona.    Using many things I have learned and done wrong with this page.   It will center from our new home town, and than venture out as I have time.   Also I will be incorporating advertising and my own line of greeting cards.    Please view my past blog posts, for my best exploring pictures.   And visit my first blog sight at      www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

 

I have many exploring posts on that sight too!    And please pass on the links if you enjoy what you see! 

 

 

                                                         **HAPPY TRAILS!!**

 

More Exploring A

     I particularly enjoy these pictures and hope you will too.   So much so, I am going to turn tonight's post just about these shots from last week's exploring.  We had some rare free time last Wednesday afternoon, and saw some sun shine!  Although after getting my final pictures of the sun set, the walk back to our car was very chilly.   Please do not forget to share this exploring blog sight-if you enjoy what you see.   And check up on my longer running sight with 350+ posts of random rambling and coffee love.   I have been focusing on promiting posts from this page there also, but will return to my wonderful rants and rambling this week.  Take a look ---  www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

    On this day -- our youngest two had early release from school, and we found it was time to explore and give mommy some free time before our oldest got out of classes.  We started out downtown Bellingham.   I have written about this area many times.  And new sights and beauty always greet me--on every trip here.    I think the above building is one of the neatest buildings in Whatcom county.  I also believe it is haunted.   I have many-many pictures of this great old building.  

This picture has an almost Eire glow from the intense sun!

I stood across Holly Street facing one of the mini light house towers for this shot.

We soon ended up down by the water.

A common destination in our travels around the area.

You can just make out the bay beyond the bridge in this shot.

Beyond all of the ducks and geese, ever present in the area

and the salmon ponds 

throwing/skipping rocks is always hours of fun!

          
                            Max- our dog always is the first to get wet on our trips--
but will fight to the bitter end, when it is his bath time. 

    It always seems hard to imagine seeing such sights in the heart of our wonderful downtown. 

   

                       Further up Holly Street ---I had to stop to take a picture of this tree!

Same tree  not nearly as neat of an angle.  

      We ventured further up the road---near Bellingham Technical Collage.  
Across from this stack is a parking area, surrounded by trails.  To the left you are soon exploring the college.   To the right you can soon reach the bay. 

                     Another great tree, just off the trail on the way to the beach.  

Soon you pass under the rail road tracks.

       It just happened that a train was coming --right as we neared the bridge.  

Even this lonely piece of drift wood turned into a great picture. 

The kiddos soon got tired of my picture taking and built there own teeter tauter 

with an ocean view!

I have posted about this area before--but 

I really enjoyed these pictures.

Water ever flowing into the bay.

The abandoned pier, ripples, and sun allow for some great images.

                               I am forever in seek of the perfect sun set picture.  
It might appear that the jet in this and another picture, ruined the shot---but I feel it made it.  
Many flights, both big and small went over us during our short journey.  But the airport is just up the road.  

A few last shots, before heading back up the trail to our awaiting, warm car. 

                                  Who needs Hawaii when you can get views like this ?