All Aboard!

    So several months ago our family loaded up for a short road trip to the Lake Whatcom Railway Museum in Acme, Washington.  This is a beautiful drive, but allow an hour just in drive time.  Google maps seems to be sending people in the wrong direction.  But there web sight and great page on Facebook has step by step directions, that get you right to the museum.   The pages are also full of more great pictures.  

Go Sea Hawks!!

This was a great day, enjoyed by all of us, especially our 
youngest, who loves trains!   

     Once we got to the area, we had some time to explore before our train ride. 

At the ticket booth. 

We are members of several discount clubs online.  And they sent us notice for tickets on the train

at deeply discounted prices.  But the ride is never very expensive, even at full price. 

Contact the museum before taking the drive, because many of the rides are over for the season.

A moment to take in the view.

The fog slowly lifted away and we were greeted with a very sun shine filled day for an adventure!

Several old relics to explore.

      Both while waiting for the train  to depart, and while enjoying the ride on other tracks.  

   Inside one of the huge main buildings is this old steam engine.  You can still climb up inside it and marvel at power these machines have.  And the view the engineers have.  And most importantly you can ring the bell a time or three. 

This classic bicycle just waits to be ridden down the rails.

                                                                 Almost boarding time!!

This classic steam engine is over 100 years old. 

It has since been converted for those living along the tracks and for those on the ride. 

Loaded and ready to go. 

The comfortable seats all with great views made the ride even better. 

Here I try to echo the train whistle!

Warning: this sound should not be made around train tracks.  Or by anyone over the age of  five. 

The above shirt should not be worn by anyone!

                                                               On board entertainment.

                                               The view from the back of the train.  

   You have lots of time to enjoy the view as the train slowly makes it's way down the tracks.  And many of the residents living close to the tracks, were full of smiles and waves when we passed by. 

After a brief pause to turn the train around, they stop for about half an hour.  

With time to explore or eat a snack.

Please note---no food is provided on this tour.  Or beverage.

There are simple but working restrooms at the rear of the train though.

Picnic under this terrific tree or venture a ways to a small water fall.

The kiddos can take this track car for a spin.

This was a wonderful day.  That I will always remember. 

And all of the workers were beyond friendly and knowledgeable.  

You can also take a 2nd train ride -for the same price.  But on this day we were needing to return home.

Mainly to get back to our dog before he destroyed our house to rebel being left alone.  

Any guesses were we venture in my next exploring blog post?

Please do not forget to check out my longer running blog series 

www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

now with 300+ posts to roam through. 

And leave some comments!

Professor Getty

   

             I have this buddy named Professor Getty.   I have worked with him  at several Wally World's and he is one of my few long term friends.  We have been there for each other for at least ten years.  Meaning it is a give and take relationship.   That is very rare.  My wife and I have recently decided that we both need new friends, because our current ones only seem to know how to take.  They only show up or call when they need something, and that usually is free baby sitting from us.  This just happened last night, but they could never handle watching our three kids.  Anyways, you are straying off topic again!   My buddy and I have logged in lots of miles lost exploring through the woods.  And have been on some crazy hikes in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona and beyond.   He is also the only person that has experienced a hike with me, and went on more!   If he ever gets wi-fi again, he will also be co writing blog posts with me.  Especially the angry "mini rants" I enjoy.

     This may or may not be his real name.  He also helped me pick "code names" for tons of Wally World workers.  And he is helping pick me a good Indian name, for when I start at the casino.  The good and the ugly, name wise.  I will later explain some cautions while picking a great "code name."  His name came about when he went back to college for about the third time.  He soon discovered he was one of the oldest people in the class.  And somehow I could picture him walking into the class room in a suit with arm patches, corduroy pants, holding a briefcase.   The class room would pause, and than assume he was the professor.   Bringing this up repeatably was one of the reasons he dropped out of school, but it was amusing.

     He came through town last month.  And of course we had time for a little exploring.  No completely crazy trip through forest and ocean.  But still a good time. 
     We started out in a great little town named Fairhaven.  Because that is were I live.

      Around The Village Green.   Many events and free shows happen here through the summer.  And it is a great place to wear out the kiddos.  

Than we had some time to smoke a cigar down by the bay. 

    If you follow State Street into Bellingham and than keep following along the shore line and the magnificent large houses, near the airport you hit a turn out.  Several trails branch out of here.  All of them are lame.  But the view can be very amazing.  Down below this huge hill is some great exploring.  And I will share about this in a very near blog post.  

                  This great plane circled us as we were out watching the bay line. 


    We soon decided it was time to move on, and headed back toward downtown.  If you take a left just after the bar--Coconut Henry's I believe it is, there are trails to explore galore!  Many lead around the Bellingham Tech College.  

    Just look for this stack.   Before the stack and the college, off to the right is a nice large sized area to park.  

              You than come upon some train cars to explore.  Do not get on the train cars! ;)

      The next day we headed off for Larrabee State Park.  Miles and miles of scenic views are offered both on the road and on the trail.   We did not head down to the beach, but decided to head up into the forest.  

   Mr Getty  showing off his rental car and survival gear from Haggins Grocery Store.  

    The trail soon got boring and we took off straight up a huge hill.    We do not favor trails, because someone has already been to were they lead.

    Another little waterfall.   The fresh water slowly making it's way to the ocean.  

I do not see how this lake could be very lost 

with this huge sign and all.

We did not make it all the way to the lake.  Mostly because the trail continued up ward and

because you and I have seen lakes before.  

Above is one.

Another blog post to come---Lake Sylvia

Please also check out my longer running blog at www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com

And as always I greatly welcome your comments on my thoughts and exploring. 

Share your pictures or exploring trips!

Any guesses what the next exploring post will be about??.....