Tag: Bellingham

Rick Steves Visits Whatcom County

Carl Setzer
white and brown mountain under blue sky

Edmonds’ own Rick Steves recently created a series about touring Whatcom County for the good folks at Visit Bellingham and Whatcom County (check out their write up of this series here). I found it fascinating and enlightening.

Below are the videos in episode order.

Episode 1: Rick Steves Tours Whatcom County and Samples Farm to Bottle Fare

Episode 2: Rick Steves Explores Seaside Life and Peace Arch State Park at the Top of the PNW in Whatcom County

Episode 3: Rick Steves Enjoys Arts & Culture in Whatcom County

I adore Fairhaven. It’s a wonderful part of the region that has a marvelous charm. I especially appreciate Rick calling out Rena Priest, Washington State’s Poet Laureate and member of the Lumi Nation.

If this inspires to you to explore Whatcom, the Visit Bellingham & Whatcom County folks have a visitors guide for you.

*A special thanks to The Poetry Department . . . aka The Boynton Blog. It’s where I first read about Rick’s video series. If you love poetry, you should go check them out.

Bellingham News: Police seek public’s help to identify body found on WWU campus

Carl Setzer

Sadly, a young man’s body was found on the campus of WWU. If you have any information, please call the Western Washington University Police at 360-650-3555, reference case # 20-0148.

 

WWU Campus Advisory: Police seek public’s help to identify body found on WWU campus from Bellingham

 

Photos from Easter Weekend

Carl Setzer

Here are some shots from Easter weekend, where we drove up to Bellingham. Now, I love Bellingham, but the traffic through Everett, Arlington and Mt. Vernon was ludicrous. It took over two hours to get up there and neatly three to get home. Normal conditions would make it about 70 minutes. Our region’s growth is making for California-esque traffic, of which I’m not a fan. It is a part of life around here anymore, I’m afraid.

Up To Whatcom For A Day

Carl Setzer

We spent the day in Bellingham. Our original plans went a bit awry, but not to worry. We opted to head out to the Nooksack (east of Bellingham near Deming, deep in Whatcom county) to check out the eagles. We saw about twenty or so birds, mostly bald eagles, but also some goodness, gobs of seagulls eating the eagle’s leftovers, plus a blue heron to round things out.

I talked to some of the other photographers out there. Man, I got some serious gear envy! I love those monster zoom lenses and definitely want to earn enough to get one. The guy with the best zoom also drove a Porsche, which tells you a story.

We had dinner at Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham (how’s that for alliteration?), which I’d been meaning to try. Had the French dip, which was quite lovely (I’m fond of that sandwich). I also want to try their Bahn Mi and a good ol’ fashioned cheeseburger, too. My wife had the fish tacos, which were excellent. My son had the mac and cheese, which is actually somewhat famous in those parts. He inhaled that, assuring me it was good.

You can see some pictures on my Instagram and Facebook pages. Take a look and let me know what you think. Are there other places I should check out? Let me know!

Just Discovered The Fairhaven Steampunk Festival

Carl Setzer

I adore Bellingham, and come up often. Yet, I just noticed the Fairhaven Steampunk Festival. I noticed the folks walking around in costume before I saw the banner advertising the event. 

Reading over their site, it’s clearly been an annual event for at least a few years. I’ll add it to my list of geek events. It looks like fun. 

A Walk In Whatcom Falls Park 

Carl Setzer

I’m up in Bellingham for the next few days. One of my favorite cities with great biking, hiking, and all kinds of dining options.  A fun place to be outside. 

Most of these shots were taken at Whatcom Falls park, with a few taken in Fairhaven. 

I love the way these tree roots grew over these rocks


This quote by Cicero sits at the entrance to Village Books.


And now, Monday

Carl Setzer

It was a lovely but busy weekend. Highlights:

Saturday, I saw Kamiak’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Very impressive! Even more do considering these are high school kids. This was worthy of any community theatre. And it’ll be fine next weekend, too. It’s worth your time! Followed up with dinner at a friend’s place, perfect!

Sunday, went to Bellingham for the Whatcom symphony. I’m always amazing at the high quality of their shows. Plus, the Mount Baker Theatre is an amazing space. Little old Bellingham has an amazing gem in their community. Then piroshkies at Pel’Meni, and ice cream at Acme Ice Cream in Fairhaven. A delightful day!

Looking forward to this week, and all the potential therein. What about you? Is there anything you’re particularly excited about?

Go make it a great week!

Thinking Thanksgiving & Christmas

Carl Setzer

I hope your holiday was lovely, filled with bonding and growing those relationships that truly add meaning to our lives. Ours was spent in one of my favorite NW cities: Bellingham. Since the day was spent with family, we didn’t get to any of my favorite shops or eateries, but I was prepared. The weather was blessedly calm, and traffic rather lite, so the drive was uneventful. Having the Stillaguamish bridge back open was particularly nice.

Over the past week, I’ve noticed several neighbors with Christmas lights up. Add to that Christmas marketing already going, and I find I’m struggling with acceptance. I grudgingly tolerate the Christmas season starting today, the day after Thanksgiving. There’s only so much resisting one can do.

But I still can advocate for Advent, the season of preparation for the coming of the Christ. Preparation, awareness, anticipation; all these elements get lost in the commercial madness that’s modern Christmas. Perhaps it’s intertwined with our overall impatience, or just our inability to filter out marketing.

So, I’m a bit pleased to see the rain, which seems to have built up with it’s delayed delivery. Maybe we’ll have another day or so without the frenetic lights, et al, of Christmas blazing. Of course, this will probably make the malls that much more desirable. So be it, makes the rest of the region that much more accessible to me. So it begins, I guess. For me, it’s clearly a good day to get some coffee, avoiding the roads near the malls.

Wishing you a safe holiday season filled with light, delight and warmth.

Weekend Thoughts: Good Ol’ Bellingham

Carl Setzer

What a lovely weekend. Saturday was spent with friends, pretty low key. Went to the Edmonds Farmers Market, then ordered dinner from Lynnwood’s Asian Wok. Several friends recommended Asian Wok to me, so I’m glad we made the time finally. One note: specifically order rice. Nothing dramatic, but then we move to Sunday.

Sunday we went to Bellingham, one of my favorite cities. Attended service at St. Paul’s, getting me my Episcopalian fix. More importantly, I got to spend time with dear friends, one who is now clergy on staff there. Afterward, we all went to Cornwall park. Just another reminder of Bellingham’s great park system. Seeing all the cyclists drove home how much more bike friendly Bellingham is. Sadly, I didn’t make it to my favorite coffee shop, Tony’s. Just another reason to go back up.

Gloriously low on traffic, great water and mountain access, a vibrant restaurant scene, Western Washington University, Fairhaven (oh, Fairhaven!) along with everything above add up to one of my favorite places. Period.