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??.....

Ski To Sea 2012

                                                       **"Get your race on!"**




            I have been so busy exploring and enjoying local activities and taking pictures, that I have been greatly slacking on posting about them. Case and point---this blog. This year was the 101st Ski to Sea. And since it ends in our home town of Fairhaven, we had an easy walk to the fun! This is an amazing race. I have grown very "soft" meaning my couch potato skills are taking over. And I am in a shape, just not a good shape. So just watching this race was, well exhausting!
Held every Memorial Day weekend. A limit of 500 Teams. A Relay Race of Seven Race Legs - Seven Different Sports -The course covers 90 Miles

The Ski to Sea Festival includes a 93.5 mile relay Race of seven venues from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay encompassing seven different sports. The Festival also includes a community block party with music and food, a Junior Ski to Sea Race, a historical hometown parade, and other special events that provide a wide variety of entertainment and adventure for all who participate and cheer on the contenders. But enough history and facts---lets look at some pictures and such!

The weekend before the Jr division has there own race. And the carnival sets up. My wife has several family members that work for carnivals so we watched the crew set up. It was very entertaining actually. I had hoped to watch them tear down on Sunday night also, but we had scheduling conflicts. Having three kids, this happens a lot!

For whatever reason the corn dogs at the carnival are always the best!

You can just make out the corn dog wagon behind our youngest in the above picture.

I probably do not want to know what they do to these to make them so good---but Mmmmm!

**Note** You have to look for the corn dog wagon actually on the mid-way, not one outside of the rides, for the best taste.

Waiting to ride!

At last!

Today's picture of the day!

My wife worked on carnival crews for years.

This is in her past, but she could still work circles around much of the current crew.

Here she is pictured in front of the last ride they set up that night.

One her brother happened to be in charge of.

Bird's eye view from up on the Ferris wheel.

The following Friday night -- the have a block party in Fairhaven.

We were not able to make that.

Saturday morning was the big parade.

And we were greeted with full on sunshine!

After we had picked a great viewing spot, the boys and I took off to explore. We had an hour before the parade actually started.

We ended up just down from the old city hall. Wandering by the water and the park.

Always a great place to skip rocks!

The water through the park was running very fast.

And allowed for some more great pictures!

Greeting further up the trail.

About time for the parade to start! This parade is always super great! Although the kiddos were super sad that no candy was thrown from any floats.

Another great time to pull off a crime in Bellingham, the police force is very busy with crowd control.

The lone cop from Lummi??

Me in the middle of the street, waiting for the parade to start.

Starting time!!

Possibly the best theme of the day.

I like this shot with Mt Baker Theatre in the back ground.

Not only do I ride the short bus to work, I drive it.....

Santa even made an appearance! I bet that suit was hot.

But it is great practice for Christmas in July

Sunday Fairhaven was full of people. Sponge Bob is very happy that it is also the end of the race.

The beautiful and packed finish line.

Live music on The Village Green.

I hope if you went to any or participated in Ski to Sea this year --it was a great experience for you!

And if you could not make it, go next year!

As always

**Happy Trails!!**