And now with no guesses submitted--the long awaited telling of were I was Saturday morning! *Drum roll please!* After running some errands our oldest and I decided to check out the Saturday Market downtown. Established in 1994 this has had a lot of time to grow and expand. Including the partially covered structures for those days that the sunshine runs away. In fact it is one of the best such markets I have stumbled across in all my travels. A very close 2nd place goes to the market in downtown Eugene, Oregon.
Full on sunshine greeted us again on this day. People that do not live in the Great North West might not understand why I bring up sunshine so much. But sun is a rarity in the winter time. It might not rain every day, but the sky's are dark and gloomy. By the end of winter, it starts to mess with your head. And "sun boxes" are available for sale. Boxes you can put in your kitchen or living room, that simulate the light of the sun, getting brighter and than darker as the day progresses. The sun is celebrated here, and there are festivals all summer long. But that first week the sun reappears, everyone has forgotten what that bright light in the sky is, and walks around deeply squinting and running into stationary objects.
As is most of Bellingham, the market is very biker friendly. In fact parking is MUCH easier if you are on a bike. Bikes can park across the street from the market.
In fact this section of Rail Road Street is blocked off during the event. Taking the bus is also a very easy option.
Many all local grown or made products are showcased. From crafts such a jewelery and tie dye shirts to plants. A large section is also devoted to local food joints including of course coffee stops!
Today's roaming was fueled by Woods Coffee! Our first stop when arriving at the market. Conveniently located just across the street. Making it a great stop to grab some coffee to go like myself this day, or stay and people watch. This shop has seating inside and out and is less than a block away from the market.
More to explore inside the all covered sections. Restrooms are also in this area. For those of you that enjoyed to much coffee. Several food selections are always at the market if you are enjoying the area on a day other than Saturday.
Performers, of all ages and levels can be found in and around the Market. Many earn a good deal of there income just from such shows so don't forget to help fill there hat if you stopped to enjoy there show or music. Other activities are also very easy to stumble across.
On this day we stopped to watch One Fine Fools great show! He travels all around Washington performing, and came all the way from Bellingham, Washington this day. This is a very entertaining and funny show. That gets better with customer participation. Above he is getting ready to blow up his blue ball----"That's imposable!!"
Sorry I find the blue balls amusing.
Juggling time!
We had other family plans after the market. But another very enjoyable destination on Saturdays or any day of the week is
O'DONNELL'S BELLINGHAM FLEA MARKET
Located in the old car dealership across from Grocery Outlet. They are open every day of the week and house two levels of flea market goodies. The items for sale change all of the time and are in a huge range of selection. Well worth a weekly visit in my eyes. Also every Saturday they hold an auction that starts at high noon! Check it out!!
In the afternoon we enjoyed a few hours at beautiful Lake Padden. Still enjoying the great weather and allowing for some time to kool off in the water.
Max our dog is like me---he loves the water until he has to start swimming. I swim like a rock!
We managed to find a small spot away from most people. It is a large lake, but with the full on sunshine, we were greeted by a full parking lot. This lake is a little bit of a drive- but well worth the trip.
Down further at one of the boat docks.
Awesomely maintained trails wrap the entire length of the lake. Although I have not ventured the full route yet.
Max drying off.
This is a first! This article was originally published in my 2nd blog!! The blog officially starts on May 31st & is still greatly under construction. But please take a look around this sight and pass on the link if you like what you see!!
And as always
**HAPPY TRAILS!!**
Were should I explore next?
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