POST 671. 07/04/12: BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

July 04, 2012 ... Summer has arrived at Bellingham, Washington. Decided to take my first walk since returning to the Peace Arch on June 24...already, leg muscles are beginning to atrophy...

SPIA parked in front of our home...RVs are prohibited from parking in our community, so must move her in a day or so.


Two little guys live in the garden...still a bit shy, but are becoming emboldened as I work to beautify the garden / yard.


My room.


View from back patio deck...

Whatcom Lake with Lummi Island (San Juan Islands) in the far hazy distance.

This coming weekend, plan to take the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Lopez Island, where Squalicum Yacht Club is cruising.





Lake Whatcom, Bellingham, Washington...looking South West.


Lake Whatcom, looking East at foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Local Volcano, Mt. Baker, is a bit to the left ... will post images of Mt. Baker later.


Walking from home, along the shore of Lake Whatcom, then onto Alabama Street, which has this magnificent view overlooking the city of Bellingham, Washington.

Bellingham Bay in the middle ground...Lummi Indian Reservation in near back ground...Lummi Island in far back ground. Lummi Island is about 10 miles from the camera.

Vancouver island (city of Victoria, B.C., Canada) is unseen in the distant haze.


Instead of walking down Alabama Hill into town, I walked one of the many city park trails crisscrossing Bellingham. This trail heads South into Whatcom Falls Park.





Flowing out of Lake Whatcom is Whatcom Creek. This kids fishing pond is formed by a small dam 1/2 mile from the lake. Semi-paved trails - many suitable for wheel chairs - run throughout Whatcom Falls Park.

Whatcom Falls Park is one of dozens of well-maintained trails which reach every part of Bellingham.


Mom and nearly full grown ducklings...absolutely no fear of humans...they waddle about 4 feet from the camera.


Whatcom Falls...the largest cataract of many such falls as Whatcom Creek flows from Lake Whatcom through the center of down town and empties into Bellingham Bay.

Only 20 miles from downtown Bellingham are cited a number of large Oil Refineries...the destination of Super Tankers transporting Prudho Bay - Alaskan - Oil.


For many years, I walked this trail morning and night the four miles from our home above Lake Whatcom to my offices near downtown Bellingham.

Today, I walked this trail once again...perhaps for the last time.


25 years ago, there was no road...not even a decent trail - through this marshy forested parkland near my office. At just about this spot, I once encountered a coyote Mom and three pups.

In the recent 10 years or so, new condo construction (behind the camera) brought in new residents...many using electric wheel chairs. Two times, I nearly hit one of those unlighted wheel chairs while driving the above dark road. I approached the city about the problem. The above walkway / bridge resulted, taking pedestrians & wheelchairs off the roadway while giving close looks at the marsh / swamp flowing beneath.


Pristine Lake Padden lies two miles from downtown Bellingham...no gas motors allowed. 2.2 miles around Lake Padden is a 10-foot wide walkway. An 18-hole golf course lies along the trail...the golf course being quite challenging and maintained as well as any I have played...yes, I also love golf.


Lake Padden, Bellingham, Washington


Yew Street...the back way to Lake Whatcom from I-5.

During testing of SAM - my solar-powered electric cart -, we often walked/rolled Yew Street which has some 8% hills.


A residence on Yew Street...the foreground roadway is the "driveway". Exotic animals are often seen grazing in the pasture surrounding the pond.


Having walked over 8 hours on July 4, I returned home via North Shore Drive along Lake Whatcom. Most of the lakefront is privately owned...with many public access points...

This view of Lake Whatcom lies 1.5 blocks below our home.


Whatcom Creek flows out of Lake Whatcom a few feet to the left of the camera.

Having subjected SPIA, my MPV ('95 Mazda), and Hyosung 650 Motorcycle to maintenance checks, find SPIA and MPV both need brakes; 650 will not shift into gear...most likely a "frozen" clutch plate from sitting in storage the past 2 years.

So, there goes my SS $$ for the next couple months.

Have decided I will not immediately return to OBX. Have been asked by relatives to "baby sit" some property for a while, so will remain in the Pacific Northwest for a bit.

Look forward to walking the PNW, sharing on my blog the wonders to be discovered.

Am proceeding with preparations to continue walking...most probably starting up the ALCAN Highway to Anchorage, Alaska and beyond.

We shall see...

POST 670: 076/01/12: BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

Requested photograph of the PEACE ARCH, BLAINE, WASHINGTON:

The Peace Arch stands astride the CANADA / USA Border at Peace Arch Park, Blaine, Washington.

The Peace Arch is 26 miles from my home in Bellingham, and has been the START point for my walks; and was the FINISH point for my June 24, 2012 return from my walk around America.

Today is Sunday, July 01, 2012. I am sitting in my bedroom in the home I share with my Partner for the past 12 years. Returning home, I have been welcomed as though I walked to the store for a loaf of bread...not 2.5 years walking America.

My Partner and I have, however, agreed:

We will, in the near future, go our separate ways...remaining friends, as we have for nearly 40 years.

I have a number of options to consider...all of which are on the table.

In the interim, I have placed both my Motorcycle (650 Cruising) and my MAZDA MPV into operation. Tomorrow, I will obtain current license tabs and re-initiate insurance. SPIA will then get a "vacation" for a bit.

Each day since my return, has kept me busy gardening in "our" home. Our home is in a "gated" community with specific requirements. My efforts are bringing our home / yard back to standards required...I must say, the grounds are beginning to look quite beautiful.

Photographs will follow shortly.

Question on everyone's mind is about my walking future.

Please be assured that I will be walking again - in the next few days -. Blog updates with photographs will be included.

The Pacific Northwest, where Bellingham is located, is, in my estimation, one of the premier locations IN THE WORLD to live / visit. It is my intention to introduce this magnificent area on my blog...taking walks locally; i.e., Western Washington from Canada to the Columbia River and from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade Mountains.

I anticipate having available in the next couple weeks, the magnificent 40-acre forested home - belonging to my recently deceased Brother, Jim...with view of the Olympic Mountains 80 miles toward the Pacific Ocean, while lying in bed in the Master Bedroom.

It is my fervent wish to welcome visitors from my blog readers to Jim's home...and subsequent opportunity to see and enjoy the pleasures of this, my favorite part of our World.

In the near future, I will decide on which "World" walk I will continue; i.e., ALCAN Highway to Alaska...or Lisbon, Portugal to Beijing, China...

or, perhaps, drive to Columbus, Ohio (which I walked to within 30 miles on my recent walk back to the Peace Arch), thence to Lake Erie, following the St. Lawrence River to Maine - then South along the Atlantic Ocean back to OBX (Outer Banks, North Carolina).

Eventually, I plan to complete all three options.

Except for sore hands and back - from daily gardening - I am in excellent health and look forward to continuing my walk.

...blogging all the way.

POST 669; 06/27/12: BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

Our Bellingham, Washington home.

After the wonderful reception at the Peace Arch, I drove "home". No one was there. My key still fit and my room was exactly as I left it 1.5 years ago. I made myself at home.

Yesterday, SPIA received a thorough look-see by Les Schwab Tire Company and pronounced SPIA was sound, fit, and - except for need of front wheel brake job - ready to drive cross country or to the Bearing Straits, Alaska...or wherever I wished to take her.

Good news as I was concerned about the serviceability of the leaf springs and air shock absorbers...both of which systems are still in good operational condition.

This morning, Wednesday, June 27, 2012, I worked until noon gardening; i.e., cleaning and trimming the front lawn and rockery to the standards of our Gated Community.

At 12:30, I met my faithful young friends who have been tracking SAM & ME for over 3 years...long before SAM was even built and before I had any idea that I was about to walk America.

My young friends are in Juvenile Detention. They - both boys and girls - have taken SAM & ME as a daily project, (they named SPIA = Seniors Performing Incredible Acts). When I walked into their conference room, they were all smiles, proudly showing off the wall size maps with SAM & ME travels day by day from Day # 1. We spent the next two hours chatting...mostly, they asked questions and I tried to give intelligent replies - yes, I know...a questionable effort on my part.

This was the second visit I have made to JD, and I hope to be invited back more times.

Arriving back home, my Partner and I prepared for evening gathering at the Squalicum Yacht Club for BBQ and visiting. I was received with hugs and congrats for my walk - SYC members also followed our blogs -.

A few pics taken at SYC follow.


The mountain in the background is LUMMI ISLAND...45 minutes away under sail. The "V" on the top of the mountain ridge is directly above a small harbor, complete with waterfall and protected rocky beach...steering for the harbor one steers for that "V".

Lummi Island is one of 172 islands in the San Juan Island group. Waters are deep, cold, and a visiting yacht to any harbor may well be the only boat in sight. Killer Whales live in the San Juan Islands year 'round...we have three "Pods" (families). I have twice been on board yachts when all three Pods gathered...about 50 whales playing - diving and leaping - to put on a show.




View of Bellingham Marina from SYC Clubhouse.


While I was out walking, a new entrance was hand built by SYC members. This handrail is unique in that it, like the rest of the entrance, is hand made...a length of steel pipe, designed and crafted by hand.

The completed entrance...that elegant ship's front door was installed only today after being hand crafted - NO machine tools were used - by one of our members.


SYC Yacht Clubhouse is a converted Barracks from World War II. It has been an ongoing project since 1948, having received many thousands of man/lady hours of work...all done by members. The new entrance porch, I am told, took additional thousands of man hours as it is completely hand crafted and free standing; i.e., not attached to the building, except for the roof.

No longer having my own yacht, I look forward to being invited to join as a guest aboard other yachts during cruises into the San Juan Islands.

I am evaluating a number of options as to what SPIA (and perhaps SAM) and I will do next. It is premature to discuss them, but a decision is not far away.

POST 668; 06/24/12: PEACE ARCH, BLAINE - BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

I arrived at the US / Canada Border at precisely 2:00 pm on the afternoon of June 24, 2012.


Leaving KOA Kampground in Lynden about 8:00 am, drove to Bellingham, Washington. Stopped first at WAL-MART to check out overnight parking...then to Diamond Jim's Grill in the Fountain District for a relaxed breakfast.


The "Fountain"...


Drove on to the Marina, where my yacht(s) have been moored the past 25 years or so...a bittersweet moment for me.


Entrance into the Inner Marina from Bellingham Bay.


Bellingham's waterfront hotel...where I have enjoyed many lunch and evening meals.


The outer Roads of Bellingham Harbor.

Bellingham Harbor is the last deep-water (40 feet at the docks) un-developed port on the West Coast of the USA. Georgia Pacific (Paper) Company occupied the waterfront for much of the last century; GP recently closed down all operations and "deeded" their entire properties to the City of Bellingham.

Bellingham waterfront is still largely undeveloped, offering tremendous opportunities for the future.


Seaview Boatyard, where I have spent many days (and nights) refurbishing the hulls of my yachts. Each year yacht bottoms are sanded (mostly by hand) and repainted.


SQUALICUM YACHT CLUB Clubhouse, sitting on the waterfront looking out on the yacht filled marina and in the far distance, Lummi Island, the first of our 172 San Juan Island Archipalegio.



Inside Squalicum Yacht Clubhouse. A World War II Army Air Force Barracks, this building has received loving care and weeks upon weeks of man (and lady) manhours...now a showpiece on Bellingham Harbor.

In 1995, I was Commodore of BYC.


Favorite BYC pastime ... rafting on a cruise to the San Juan Islands.

My yacht, Journey, is fourth from the right.


This is how yachtsmen carry heavy loads from car to yacht.


A bit before 12:00 noon, drove the 25 miles to near Blaine, Washington, the location of the CANADA / USA border crossing where my walk will complete at 2:00 pm.

Blaine Marina is in the foreground.


Blaine waterfront Caboose Restaurant/Cafe.


Vintage 1957 Pontiac Station Wagon parked in front of the Thai Restaurant overlooking Blaine Marina.


Blaine waterfront home.


Not too many years ago, Blaine (and Bellingham) held the distinction of having the largest Salmon Canneries in the world.


Since noon, I walked out a couple miles from Blaine and back. At 1:30, I made my way toward the Peace Arch about 1/8 mile North of Main Street Blaine.


...where I was met by Border Park Ranger, Jason.

Jason was apparently waiting for me as he offered to drive me the final few blocks through the Peace Arch Park all the way to the Peace Arch...not your everyday service...

Thank you, Jason.


Walking the final few yards to the Peace Arch, I recognized a number of friends - and family.





...including my Daughter, Monica. Monica, living in Burns Oregon, drove over 10 hours through the night to be there for my arrival...yes, I was shocked; and, a bit overwhelmed.


Monica, whom I adopted when she was 10 years old (she says she was 9).

I can honestly say I have been closer to Monica than to my four Sons.


Teresa, my "new" Niece also made the trip with Nephew Carl.


Two special people...Bob and Pam...

Bob came to my rescue a number of times during my building of SAM and during my walk when faced with unexpected ER (Hospital) expenses. Bob actually gifted me his entire weekend overtime pay - deposited $$ into my Debit Card account.

How does one thank such kindness.

Bob was the only one to answer my plea to guide me in building SAM's electrical system.

Thank you, again, Bob.



My friends and family under the Peace Arch, Blaine, Washington.

Judy Smith,
Jerry Lesniak,
Pam Bosell,
Bob Young
K.C. Sulkin,
Wendell and Erlene Poole,
Lynn and Les Blackwell,
Debbie Oyamada,
Carl and Teresa Johnson,
Kim Castaway,
Monica McKenna




The PEACE ARCH which stands astride the CANADA / USA Border at Blaine, Washington.

Thank you, all, for coming out to welcome me home.

Bob, Pam, Monica, and Kim treated dinner at the Thai Restaurant overlooking Blaine Harbor.

I then drove to my own home on the shore of Lake Whatcom in the town of Bellingham. My partner was not at home, having visited the village of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. She arrived about 6:00 pm with the words...where did YOU come from !

(HELLO to you, too, I thought)

Together, we have enjoyed yesterday evening and all day today together in our home. My room was exactly as I left it 2.5 years ago.

Already received my first few "honeydu" items.

For the moment, I gather my wits and give thanks for a fascinating safe adventure and a kind and warm welcome home.

"Tomorrow Is Another Day" : Gone With The Wind