Chuckanut Ridge

             **Orgnially posted on my other blog sight----   ALL about exploring Bellingham and Whatcom county.   Please take a look at the sight---and share the link if you enjoy what you see!   http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/

               Hello All!! Thank you once again for being a reader of this page! I have many ideas and new concepts for this page. And really am working on making it a fun and informative sight for all who live in Whatcom or wish to visit the area. Between work and three kids, my free time is almost non existent, so new posts have been forming in my head much faster than actually making it online. Also my family and I have been having a very tough time with a little thing that usually vanishes closer to Christmas time, called customer service. So I have been writing letters to companies and such. More on that fun very soon, but all the bad service makes me want to bring back my concept of show casing a local business or a few of them. I have mentioned many such business in past blog posts, and I thank each of them for going beyond what seems to be the new norm of crappy service.
Anyways, boring story-short, I am skipping over my post about our soggy Halloween night and exploring Chuckanut Ridge today. Because I really want to share some of these pictures, and because I can not locate some of my Halloween pictures at the moment. ;)

Just off of State Street. I love this sculpture--and the views of the bay, and trails are amazing!

I have posted about this area in past blogs. And I always enjoy the views and hikes. On this day I had some free time, before it got dark. And was very surprised at how early darkness fell on me. I am usually at work when the sun sets. Soon I hope to re-visit the entire Chuckanut road --and have lots of pictures. But at the moment that is on a very long to do list. If you have any great exploring pictures you would like to share. Or would like to view all of my pictures, thoughts, coffee love, rambling, and gain access to both of my blogs---please visit my new Facebook sight at Wyoming Jack/Bobble Head's Blogs Exploring Bellingham & Whatcom county

As you zig zag up this great road, just past the flashing yellow lights for a wide curve, is a one way road that turns into a parking area. I first stopped here to explore a little.
You soon can hit some trails leading to Teddy Bear Cove--- a place I have before posted about. I walked down the roadway towards Woodstock Park. Please note: The roadway is very narrow here with limited sight distance for drivers, so keep an eye out if you choose to walk on the roadway. Many people choose to bike this same road, so most drivers are already watching ahead.

Above the tree line:

As you wander--see how many islands you can spot.

I have always thought having a family picnic/camp out on one of the islands would be a great day. And way to get away from it all for awhile.

Also see how many ships you can spot.

I think I spotted eight ships in the distance during the short time I was out.

One of the many very neat tress along the way.

And a great place to sit and think.

Or just enjoy the view.

Just to the left---is a panoramic view of the bay.

With every step --that day--- a new picture opportunity arose.

Tracks leading into Bellingham.

Just to the left is Teddy Bear Cove

To the right--some huge houses with amazing views, and deep, sticky, smelly, black mud.

This whole area offers some great exploring and wildlife viewing.

*Again see my past posts for more information*

One more shot as I head back to the car.

I than venture up to the boat launch -just before Larabee State Park.

The park service has life vests here that you can borrow, just in case you picked up an extra boater.

Again -I was very pleased to see a full rack of life vests.

Meaning --all borrowed, were returned for the next user!

View to the left--- towards the park.

View to the right.

Not only was darkness rolling into the area, but also a storm was brewing.

I love how the sun rays are coming down in this picture.....

And one last shot for the day

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 http://exploreb-ham.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??.....

Downtown Bellingham Full Of Art

A lot can be said about the natural beauty of the Bellingham area.  I try to show this daily in my pictures.  But it is something one must witness for themselves.  

The Big Rock Garden Park is full of art.  Both natural and artist renderings. 

Western College campus has great old buildings to enjoy and 27 sculptures spread around campus. 

I just found a book and map of all the sculptures--  so will be posting about both locations very soon.

Water trickles through this entire sculpture on WWU campus.

And of course the nearby mountains and ocean lead to some natural beauty!

                                                                 From sun up to sunset.

                                                                Art is on local cars

                                                            This car is winking at you.


                                                 Art can even be found on the city bus 

Art is even on walls.

"Reading is sexy!"

I recently wrote a blog on my other sight about tagging and it's fine line between art and 

vandalism.  Please check it out 

http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com/2012/05/mini-rant-15-first-hint-of-tagging-sell.html

                                      Above Boulevard Park--just off State Street.

         "Are you not entertained?"   This was found on WWU campus.  And can also apply to my readers at the moment!


     Speaking of tagging, I have been spotting the below tag, all around Fairhaven--does anyone know what it stands for??   I tried looking up "angry gerbil" and spray painted hamster on Google, but got nothing helpful.  I did learn that it is a bad idea to spray paint your hamster if you wish to keep it alive. 

                                                       Art can be found in a classic old car.

                                           Or the many classic buildings all around town. 

                                                          Beauty can be found every were!

    All of that said, today's post is all about exploring downtown Bellingham.   This is 90% of the murals in the down town area.   I just found two more great ones, past The Mission, while driving our family home yesterday.   Finding as many of these as you can is a great way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon after going to the Saturday Market.  It also works well for wearing out your kiddos.  Right now, local kids art is displayed all around downtown ---an extra bonus!   I do not know street names ---so to some extent you will have to roam to find some of these pictures.  Find them all and win a great workout~!

Always on the look out for more pictures!

         Today's exploring started out with coffee of course!   The first statue awaited my buddy and I just across the street from the Flat Iron Building.

                                              And than across the street behind us this great mural.

                        Down the hill ---the city park offers great views and more art. 

                                       Enjoy some more murals on the walk to the park.

                                Follow the many stairs back up by the old city hall.   And look for the mural pictured at the top of this blog.   Half a block down you can see a full mural featuring salmon. 

 And near the post office....

 
            This giraffe guards the public library.    And the nearby museum has some great art both inside and out.  

   Marvel over "the last supper" near Interfaith Medical.

              This boulder blocking most of an alley-way connects to someones deck.  

       Find both of the above murals in the heart of Bellingham's downtown.  

                      Even the parking garage houses some great paintings.  

   One of my personal favorites on Commercial Street.   Although it does not lead to a coffee shop anymore.  :(

       At the Saturday Market....

    Down Railroad Avenue just before the large pet shop.    Well worth a stop inside to see the many animals.  And almost never ending fish tanks!

    Also watch the alleys near here for more abandoned rail road tracks.  

                                  In front of the bus station, watch this sculpture spin. 

                                             And lastly for today-----up State Street.  

                                                                    My kind of coffee mug!!

   Yet another coffee shop that is no longer in business.  Support your local coffee house!   I have noticed for a town that is so into mom & pop stores, and supporting local shopping, the big coffee places are quickly taking over.  

   In support of bike to work day--I am sure this is why this was painted way above the city.  


  I apologize for the next picture----it is on top of the Up & Up building.  

     And of course the newishly painted greeting along the bay heading back to our home in Fairhaven.