Last week found me on a quick exploring trip.   Our youngest and I had a few errands to do downtown and than were going to hop a random bus and see what adventures we found.  This is fun to do randomly.  But did not happen on this day.   After the bank we went on a walking adventure of sorts.   Here are some highlights.  And the answer to were  I was exploring --- posted several blogs ago.  Shown above for those of you that forgot.   You have a few more paragraphs to guess were we went.  This area has a lot of interesting people and culture but the strange people were out in full force on this day.  Notice I have not referenced any of these people as freaks or mentally challenged    yet.    When we first left the bank, this man was across the street preaching to anyone that stoped to listen about the lord.  I am in no way making fun of his ideas or the way he was spending his time.  But found it amusing that his background was a building covered in 420 support signs.  They are hard to see in the following picture though :(

Our actual wandering started here:

    At the old city hall.  This building allows for some great pictures. And I am more than sure that the building is haunted.  But that is yet another story.   Inside is a museum as well as the building beside it.  Like most of the museums in town, I have never been in either, so I can't tell you much about that.  From here you are very close to the city Library. 

                                                            Behind the Library
 About a block up you hit a post office.  Just past there are some great trails filled with water falls. 

         I have blogged about this before, and we did not go that way on this day.
But still find it very kool that all of these sights are offered right downtown. 

    We ventured down the many steps past the old building into the large open space.   You can easily journey all the way down to the docks from here. 

                                    To the right is more park to wander through. 

                                           Part of the rare Chip-A-Hoy tribe?
  And some fish ladders that are later full of angry salmon that are more than ready to mate. 

If anyone recalls when they are released for fishing, please let me know. 

All I can recall is my wife and I wandered down to view the large salmon

one night years ago, and the wind off the bay was beyond frigid.

   More interesting sights meet us in the open area below the city hall.  A varied group of people hang out in here and in the park.  Be prepared to be asked for spare change at least three times.  They were mowing the large lawn and a man had passed out asleep in the grass in the sun.  The lawn mower decided to not wake the man, and left a wide circle of un cut grass around him, and than moved to the other side of the field.  Another man was feeding the seagulls and had about 200 birds floating and hovering and swooping down to grab the tasty treats.   We also saw this set up tent, I am not sure what the story behind that is.

  We crossed the street and passed the large yellow Mexican restaurant.  Crews are working on the docks so we found a narrow trail that leads under the docks.  The tide was way out on that day, allowing for lots of exploring. 

  

Items are constantly washed in with each tide.  We did not find anything worthy to

bring home on this day though.

      With a quick glance this abandoned shopping cart almost looks like an outline of the United States map.

   Apparently people hang out down here.  I found many tables set up and such.  And have been told that they have big self cleansing parties were you can jump through the flames and come out a re newed person.   Many happen to be on Saturday nights.  I have not yet been brave enough to verify this. 

   We continued north-ish towards the bay.   Past the old train depot.  These buildings always make for a great picture or three.

You soon pass this great caboose.   In this picture it has "Suck it" spray painted across the front.    The greeting has long since been painted over.

If you do not know what this sign means---- do not apply for the job.  This is what the managers will not as nicely tell you, if you do apply.

                                          More signs that spring is in full bloom

 Nestled with the fine restaurants and motels is a great sea life petting zoo of sorts. It is defiantly worth a look.  And the museum greatly appreciates all donations. 

                                                         Down by the bay!

   If you follow the trail all the way around to the park you can view many a boat.  Luxury yachts are usually ported also.  Or buy some of the freshest seafood around. 

   Look for Willie the Whale.   You can also go on whale viewing tours. 

                                     Statue for all of the seaman that never came home. 

    Way past this you can stop at another park of sorts.  And follow the shore line during low tide.  It is still a very slippery hike though.   Years ago we took this adventure and found this great structure.  Which is said to have been built during WWII.  It has a look out tower up top, that holds a person.  And people have written on the walls and added to it for years.  I have heard that the structure got torn down, but have not ventured to verify this true or not.  Does any of my readers know???

On the way home we ventured into the park below city hall just a little to wash off our shoes mainly. 

   This leads us to the end of our journey this day.   And also my picture of the day.

    I find it great how everything here is green.  There is green growing on everything even the trees.  Of course all of the rain has to do with this.  


  Any thoughts on were I should explore next??    And as always

                    **Happy Trails**

4/28/2012

   **" I love to get my wife all hot and bothered.... OK maybe the hot part isn't true......"**

    I find myself trying to sneak out our back door the last few days.   Not to sneak undetected from my wife, to roam around town.  She is more than happy any time I leave the house for awhile.  But because we have just bought a new car.  New to us anyway.  I might have mentioned it a time or two in my last blog.  And it is parked in front of our house.  Harmless enough, until you factor in that we are not getting insurance on the vehicle until I am finally legal to drive again.  A goal we are very close to.  But like many things we are doing in a strange order.  Buy the car, than get fully legal.  Move in, than get approved.  Move far away, fall back in love.  Get married than go on dates.   But it works for us. 
    I attempted to go to the Dirty Dan Festival in Fairhaven today, but than found out that it does not start until tomorrow.  Making it harder to attend.  I have never made it to the festival.   About all I know is it is for Dan Harris the founder of this great town.  And you can eat clam chowder, until it comes out of all of your holes, at the same time~ !  I will have more to report on all this very soon.  Speaking of events, my parents celebrate there 40th wedding anniversary next month.   An amazing  amount of time.  April & I have just made it a little over a month of being married.  A mere drop in the bucket compared to my parents relationship.  I will have the link to our wedding sight in my next blog.  We just need to add a few more key thoughts on the sight.  Our wedding will be in Bellingham, but we are having trouble picking a location, so if you have any suggestions--please comment!   I hope we get some great comments once the link is set up, and if you do not see yourself on the invite list and wish to be, please let me know.  On a related note I would like to thank all of the new in laws.  I do not believe the mother in law and I have had any issues since I moved back this time.  Although her now being on the road, could be part of that.  They are continually supportive of my blogs and the pictures I take.  Even the lamest of both in my eyes.  I would say they have not been very welcoming to the family on any level, but I have been a part of the family for just short of seven years now, so I guess that really is not an issue either. 
   I skipped yesterday "mini rant" and I am sure no one noticed.  So I am going to add a quick rant right here.  One that is not worthy of a full rant.  But has been gnawing on me for about a month now.   This is neighbors and relatives that knock once and than feel free to walk right in our house.  Maybe I am way behind on the times, but I find it extremely beyond rude.  It's different if you know they are just down the road and coming to your house.  One knock and than entering is fine.   But to knock once and just walk in, seems beyond rude in my book.  I will note my book is very short and full of mostly blank pages so far.   We have started locking the front door  which so far resulted in several neighbors bouncing off the door, not realizing it would be locked and still trying to enter.   But this is not an option with summer right around the corner and three kids running in and out for essentials like water and Skittles.   I personally am not comfortable enough with any of my friends or family to just walk in there house.  Any thoughts from my readers on any of this rambling?

    I have talked about Brian from Canada many a time.  He is my wife's pretend lover.  And from the sounds of things, he is about to make a visit soon.  Our oldest wanted to stay the night at a friends.  And his buddy told his dad that I was sick, our other two kids were out of the house for the night, and that my wife had a date to go on.  So if any of you see Brian -please contact me.  See what happens when you get something minor like the flu.  Your significant other feels it is something life threatening and goes on dates to prepare for after your funeral.   I think this flu was brought on by all of that warm weather last week and than the temperatures dropping.  It is still warm, but compared 50 is 20 degrees cooler than it was last weeksend.  Or I am sick simply from riding the bus.  Most of the people on the bus seem to be sick.  And like to pass the time by talking to me about everything from light bulbs to chickens.  They also like to share all of there germs.  As long as I don't acquire whooping cough.  Apparently this is skyrocketing in the state right now. 

   I hadn't found this picture when I wrote my "mini rant" complaining about dog owners that forget to clean up after there dogs.  It is in the blog now. 

     The more you know:

    Wow, Did i look like an idiot at the store yesterday....Heed my warning guys, if the cashier says strip down facing me, she's referring to your credit card.

I found out yesterday that laying down and playing dead only comes in handy when face to face with a bear, and NOT at important business meetings.

Signs You Drink To Much Coffee:
- You answer the door before people knock.
- Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.
- You ski uphill.
- You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
- You haven't blinked since the last lunar eclipse.
- You lick your coffeepot clean.
- You're the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don't even work there.
- Your eyes stay open when you sneez...e.
- You chew on other people's fingernails.
- Your T-shirt says, "Decaffeinated coffee is the devil's blend."
- You can type sixty words per minute ... with your feet.
- You can jump-start your car without cables.
- Cocaine is a downer.
- You don't need a hammer to pound nails.
- Your only source of nutrition comes from "Sweet & Low."
- You don't sweat, you percolate.
- You buy 1/2 & 1/2 by the barrel.
- You've worn out the handle on your favorite mug.
- You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.
- You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it's not plugged in.
- You forget to unwrap candy bars before eating them.
- Charles Manson thinks you need to calm down.
- You've built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.
- People get dizzy just watching you.
- You've worn the finish off your coffee table.
- The Taster's Choice couple wants to adopt you.
- Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.
- Your taste buds are so numb you could drink your lava lamp.
- Instant coffee takes too long.
- When someone says. "How are you?", you say, "Good to the last drop."
- You want to be cremated just so you can spend the rest of eternity in a coffee can.
- Your birthday is a national holiday in Brazil.
- You're offended when people use the word "brew" to mean beer.
- You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.
- You can thread a sewing machine, while it's running.
- You can outlast the Energizer bunny.
- You short out motion detectors.
- You don't even wait for the water to boil anymore.
- Your nervous twitch registers on the Richter scale.
- You think being called a "drip" is a compliment.
- You don't tan, you roast.
- You can't even remember your second cup.
- You help your dog chase its tail.

Next I will offer some great excuses for that missed birthday from my wifes grandma!  Luckily she is on the ball for all birthdays and holidays because I call it a plus if I get a gift out the same month as the birthday. 

 

That's not funny.   OK  maybe a lil bit, but I am not sure why.

 

 

Today's picture of the day was shot several years ago.  In Bellingham, Washington.  I call it Winter Wonderland.

This is a large snow storm for the area. 

On a hike near WWU.

Heading up to the Seahome Observation Tower.

This is offers a great view, snow or no.

 

Happy Day

     **"People who have no weaknesses are terrible; there is no way of taking advantage of them."**


   **"I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life."**
   **" This morning was a series of honking and yelling, and giving the finger lots of evil looks and swearing.. Then I finally got out of the driveway and on my way to work."**

  **"Key chains were just invented so one could loose all of there keys at the same time!"**

 **"We are buying a car tomorrow! It's gonna be hell to have it sitting in the driveway until I officially am legal and have a drivers licence again. It has been a long, expensive journey."**

   Fairhaven has three main coffee shops and I find myself drawn to the same one, when I go out to have coffee and attempt to publish a new blog.   Lately I find it very comfortable to just stay home and drink coffee.  But for my sanity and to keep our marriage, plus I greatly enjoy to roam, I find I venture out at least a few times a week.  I also just watched a commercial about how one can save over $1000 a year if they just had coffee at home all the time.  The days out are too good for me to cut out coffee shops all together.  Plus we just lost a smoker in our house, so we are saving a ton of cash in that department.  OK not lost, as in they died or are roaming around in the woods some were, cold and sad faced.  But a few months back my wife stopped smoking.  Something I am very proud of considering how long she had been smoking.  And how many huge stressors she has in her life daily. 

     Anyways, I attempted to venture some were new for my morning brew and went downtown Fairhaven to The Rustic coffee shop.   I made it about four steps in the door, and decided it was time to move on.   The place was very nice inside, in fact it looked way to fancy for my early morning tastes.  Men were sitting around in suits.  It just didn't look like a place to lay back and occupy a chair while sipping coffee and writing this action void blog!   Plus my baby computer has very little battery power and I could only spot one plug in while scanning the room.   I ventured by Tony's Coffee while I came up Harris street.   I have been there before.  It is a very neat building inside and out.  Very laid back, and a good place to hang out and be creative or just people watch out of all the windows.  But they do not have wi-fi.  Something very rare in this day and age, even if you find yourself in the middle of no were.  You can usually bounce Internet off the near by buildings, but I have found this is not the most reliable at all.  At the moment I am further up Harris, once again at Firehouse Cafe.   I say at the moment, because I am not able to plug in my laptop and see it running out of juice way before this blog even stops talking about coffee.  Maybe it is not in my fate, to type away from home today?  Is that really fate or just bad planning fueled with great coffee?   "Luckily" just as my laptop was about to run out of power, one of the great workers at the coffee shop, said I could unplug the "festive" window lights.  I have been in trouble for this elsewhere.  But in all fairness I did not know I had unplugged the open sign to plug in my computer.   And gave a very big tip that day. 

   **"Fair warning B-Ham residents. You have about a month of safe roads and or sidewalks before I am driving this around."**

    So today's title is "Happy Day" because yesterday we bought a vehicle again!   I am ever so close to being legal to drive once again.  And thought having a car sitting out front might be great motivation.  Although it is way tempting to take it for a long drive.  Part of the reason we are not even getting insurance on the car yet.  Most of my problems with the law involve driving anyway, and talking to at least one police officer.  I would get caught about once a year with no licence and no insurance.  Most of the time the annoyed officer would throw one more ticket into the collection, just for fun, and maybe to meet his monthly quota.  And for years I would just move instead of paying them off.  This resulted in problems in three separate states.  But for once my slacking paid off.  It has been so long since I got in trouble in Oregon state that court and than collections, basically gave up and canceled out a huge percent of my fines!  Happy early birthday to me!   The following pictures are ones my wife took & will surly end up in one of her blogs very soon.    She has started her own blog, and if you enjoy a great read please take a look at her sight    I especially like the changed last name ;)
http://april-adams.blogspot.com/

  For being a "94" it is amazingly clean and ding free.   Plus it has a decent stereo system--so maybe tomorrow I will venture to the car, crank a CD, and type a blog!   We have had a few Buicks and they seem to keep on driving.  I eventually want a pickup again, but they do not transport a family of five plus a large dog well.  And it is always good to have goals to strive for.  Sadly this is a long list for us sometimes. 

             Possibly my new office?  I will see if our wi-fi works in the parking lot.

   It is a little hard to believe how old a car from 1994 now is.  I was just starting high school in 94.  But I believe it is the newest vehicle we have owned.  I put my wife in full charge of picking the rig this time around.  We have both separately had some great vehicles through the years, but when we both purchased a mini van a few years back---it was the worse van possible!   There were so many things wrong with the rig that a Car Fax report probably would have blown up our computer.   After many a break down, our whole family spent a night in a parking lot in Everette, Washington the last night the van ran.   Pushed off the highway by the Washington state patrol. 
     With the already amazingly high gas prices, we will continue to use the city bus a lot.  But more exploring, with the dog are now in the future.   And ultimately better exploring, picture filled blogs.   I am very happy to finally have some keys to put on my many key chains!  I have a bundle of several key chains most importantly with a bottle opener.  But until the other day no keys ;(    Very soon I will have an actual house key to add onto the key ring.  Since about a month ago I was added onto the lease.  

                                         Me trying not to look at the steering wheel. 

     Last thoughts on the car for now------   Another reason we are not insuring the car now, is to keep people from even asking to borrow the car.   Oddly as word gets out, even though few people offered us rides around town, I am sure there will be lots of people that feel they are entitled to drive the car or be driven some were.   Since my wife and I were the only two that shelled out the cash, I don't see this happing.  But people can ask away.  
     One of the few people that gave us rides in the past, has already volunteered to drive us in the car, until I get my licence back.   She was always a scary driver, to be nice.   But never charged much in gas funds.  She was the kind of driver that provoked you wore your seat belt ever time for sure.    My wife and I would argue over who got the front seat when we both rode with her.  Not because we wanted shot gun, but because front seat was to intense and almost 3-D action.   She would turn around fully to talk to the person in the back seat, and than randomly break down crying as we sped down the highway and or ditch.   I keep using past tense, because she recently got in another wreck and totaled her car. 
    I note this because she volunteered to drive us around in our shiny new rig before telling us why her car had not been parked in front of her apartment.   So nice to have such helpful friends!
    Also as a public service announcement of sorts for those of you living in or around Bellingham.  We bought this car off of Craigs List.   A sight we have used a lot lately and in the past.  Although this is a great free sight, you have to watch your back.   They really have no safety net to corrupt people out there.  

  **** If you correspond with Jeff Potter on Craigslist--- about vehicles, boarding, or anything else-----Stop all contact! He is a thief and an SOB that has been ripping people off in the Bellingham area for years now. Just sayin ******

   I have dealt with this person several times in the past, and each ended badly for me.   I was very discouraged to  find he is still thriving on Craigslist, Facebook, and probably other sights.   I attempted to contact him through e mail, so he could give a reason for his actions, but have heard nothing.   So I have been using my social network sights to pass on the word.  And hopefully even keep one person from trusting him at all.  

   If Wally World's put this on there front doors, they would soon be void of customers.  And or workers.   Although it could easily be argued that I have my beyond blond moments.  

      I am a Wyoming native.   Thus this blogs web sight involving Wyoming Jack.  One of my many nicknames.   But I have recently learned that I love Wyoming much more, from far away!   Next summer we plan on taking a family trip through Yellowstone and such.   But it is great to know that we are just passing through.  I could easily call Washington my home and be proud to say it. 

     **"A psycho and a woman are walking through dark scary woods.. Woman says" I 'm so scared walking through these woods" The psycho replies"How do you think I feel I have to walk back alone"**

                                               I fixed this, by drinking some

   Yesterday I graced every ones day with two blogs!   I think the same will happen today.   But no guarantees.   As always I hope you enjoy what you read.   And hope for comments---Always!

                                                 Thank you all for being readers!