Big Rock Garden Bellingham, WA

              I have really been slacking on local Exploring    although I have been taking lots of pictures.   With vehicles not working, lots of working at work, and just life   I regret to say I have not been on the dusty trail for way to long.  I try to keep this page up to date and very local all around Arizona, but once again I jump to a post from my old Exploring Washington page   tonight.     Please check out all of that pages posts    at   http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/

Big Rock Garden Park

   Welcome to all of my readers!   This new page is just about Bellingham and Whatcom county and  fun and exciting things to do here.   I have a ton of ideas and new posts in the works.  I just work full time and have a full family at home, so do not always get the ideas down on paper as quickly as I would like to.  I hope you enjoy the posts so far and will pass on this pages link to your friends and family that live in the area!   Coming up are posts about:  All of the statues on WWU campus, Our trip to the new family fun center on Meridian Street, A post just of my favorite pictures around the area while exploring, sunset pictures, our family trip on an 100 year old train --a few weeks back, and an entire post with useful links to those living here or thinking about moving here.  Plus many many more posts and ideas!   Thank you for checking us out and sharing the link!       While you are waiting for new material, please check out my longer running blog series at     http://www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com/   with 300+ posts to roam through.   

    A few weeks back our two boys and I were out and about exploring and stopped at The Big Rock Garden Park.  The only other time I have been there, was about two years ago.  When I started on some trails behind the Starbucks in Barkley Village-and a long time later ended up in the great park.  I am not sure I could do that again.   There are many great trails between the area.  I can tell you the park is above Lake Whatcom.

   A place I have posted about several times now.  I will not ruin the fun, by explaining how to get to this particular park--that is part of the fun of exploring!  Soon I hope to do an entire post just about the wonderful parks in this great town.  Ranking the better parks in my mind.  One of my favorites is very close to the above area --and Great Falls Park.  I have also posted about it several times, with some awesome pictures, if I do say so myself.  

    Several things have stalled me.  I started work almost two months ago, and it is some what strange to stand in the middle of a park, and snap pictures.  Past posts have talked about many of the parks in the area.  I just hope to ramble about them all in one great post.  I also hope to break out my thesaurus soon, and stop using the word "great" so much.  But I really do like most of the things about this town!

   We soon discovered this was not the best place to explore with kids.  They needed room to run and run and be kids.  And people in the park actually wanted to view the many sculptures and enjoy the peace the park usually has to offer. ;)  Just after this picture was takin' the kiddos were blasting through the park.  I took off in the other direction, not sure if I really wanted to take them back home with me.  The kids ran past a larger group of art critics.  I was way down the trail, but heard the adults raise there voices, and was heading to the area to stop any problems.  The adults tried to yell at our kids, saying something about how they were trying to enjoy the art and beauty of the park.  Our youngest, stopped long enough to pant out "that he was just trying to run!"  And than ran off.   I have to say that it was a great response, and the adults really had nothing to say about this.  

   Out of the parking lot, you are first greeted by the above sign.  It shows were all of the sculptures are and a little about each one.  I believe at one time there were just short of 40 sculptures.  Now many of these are just empty spaces.  The many trees and such make this a great place to find yourself and maybe find some peace while you are enjoying the art.  Many benches can also be found through the park.  

     The main gateway into the park.  The entire area is enclosed with a tall wooden fence. 

The land scaping is amazing.

And even the trees offer great pictures.

   The below very bumpy tree is extra neat to look at, and feel.

                                                The park even has fake trees to view.  

  Just past this half building, is a large deck like area, overlooking the lake and beyond.  With many benches to enjoy.   Each sculpture also has a name tag, and some history into what the art is about. 

                                                             "Freedom is not free!!"

   The sculptures are very varied.    And much time can be spent here just looking and learning.

                                                       This trio is read to play you a song!

This full sized horse is just waiting to be petted.

When you visit the park ---read the story on the next two sculptures.  I find them the most interesting of the entire lot.

                                 This would also be a great place to just sit and read.  Do people still do that? 

This turtle just wants to say "Howdy!"

At first I thought the above was also a sculpture.

I defiantly did not get pictures of every thing. 

So that you can still explore and enjoy the area.  

My next exploring blog post will be about our family's great trip on a old train.   

Part III Flagstaff And Home!

     
**This is my newest Exploring page for sure   FULL of Arizona Exploring and pictures!   In fact we talk tonight more about my amazing trip to The Grand Canyon.  All be it more amazing that I survived than anything!   My first Exploring page talks a little bit about everything.  From me tweaking out on people to coffee love!   Check it out at www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com       This very page always needs your support and love. So please share it!    And my local Benson Arizona page is always full of my ramblings and thoughts.  Especially tonight  where I am in rare form of annoying   well, everyone!    Take a look, join, and comment.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/632082303553386/   Last but not least for sharing  and shameless plugs tonight is my personal Facebook page   full of jokes, Exploring, and gallons of coffee love   at 

https://www.facebook.com/WyomingJackBobbleHeadsBlogs?fref=ts  Now on to tonight's post!

 

 

     

 

 

Way back when I used to live in Flagstaff   not for very long   but

long enough to know that the town is full of great sights and great hikes!

After tackling the Grand Canyon my legs were to weak for to much of a hike  but I still got in some great sight seeing and remembering.    I try to keep my pictures and posts current so

I will not post about my past trips and times in Flagstaff.  

Although I will say at this time I worked at Wal Mart and

at first was sleeping in the back of my pickup   in the end it stated to get to cold for this and I alternated between the three local Motel Sixes.  

Finding the one closest to the rail road tracks the cheapest by far.

At that time only, about 21 dollars a night   after taxes. 

 

 

On the way out of the park I noticed this huge RV park 

fully based on The Flintstones.

 

I have sense read that the park is up for sale,

but in any case it looks super cool!

 

 

 

A pre  Historic RV

 

 

 

Right across the street a gas station full of metal wonders!

 

 

 

 

 

This gas station did not have a free restroom or available coffee   but had many great sights to see.

 

 

This high perched squatter sees all!

 

 

 

Across the street at another fine tourist trap.

 

 

Just up the street the next large gas station offered coffee, more sights, and a restroom.

 

 

My high school mascot was the might big horn ram   so I wished to get this picture.

 

 

Beside the gas station was some old gas pumps

and possibly even older vehilces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to do it my way and hit the highway!

 

 

This town has so many amazing sights and trials.

It even has it's own ski lodge.

Just down the other way is Slide Rock and Sedona.

Also equally as amazing.

And the smells that greet someone coming from the intense heat of Exploring Sedona  to

the high hills filled with pine trees in Flagstaff  are amazing.

Sadly after the very long canyon hike  I did not have much leg strength for much Exploring in Flagstaff on this trip.

 

I did venture down the main drag and venture a little bit away from my car.

 

 

 

 

 

Down by the train depots.

 

 

 

 

 

Several old motels dot the landscape near the train tracks.

 

 

As in many great town paintings take over the land scape.

 

 

 

 

A great coffee shop I found time to visit!!

 

One of many this town has to offer

 

 

 

 

The town square has much to offer including this huge temp. scale.

Public seating, bars, shopping, and a web cam or two   to show all the sights 24/7

 

 

 

 

Watching all the sights.

 

 

 

Great buildings and shops line this downtown.

 

 

 

 

Part of the side of the movie house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In front of the library  where I spent many a day

the first time I moved to Flagstaff  

using the free computers to contact my now wife.

 

 

 

 

This trip was several months ago

I took the back roads from the canyon to Flagstaff

but passed any a mountain with more snow visible than this one.

Flagstaff is up in the hills   also surrounded by hills

so it is the upper most of peaceful.

Filled with trails to hike and sights to Explore!

From the public library, to downtown to,

Twin Peaks, to the ski lodge and beyond!

 

 

 

I have recently learned that the kiddos have never been to Slide Rock.

So that sounds like a post for the future for this sight for sure!

For I have ruined a disposable camera or two in this park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further Down The Dusty Trail Sheridan Wyoming

             I always enjoy a great time and place to Explore.  And we have seen many sights across this great country.  I try to keep this page local  but have been sharing about our many amazing views while living in Washington state.   The Sheridan Wyoming rodeo is going on right now, this is my stomping grounds and were I grew up.  A few years back I spent a year there and posted a lot about the area.   For being in the middle of no where, this town has a lot to offer.  Anyways, my first Exploring page  has lots of views and pictures from Sheridan if you would like to learn more.    www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com       I plan on taking a big loop/road trip   through the area next month.  To visit my parents and sight see!   So another post or two will show up for sure.   My next local post to this sight will be the 3rd and final post about my trip to The Grand Canyon.  

    A few blogs ago we talked about Main Street and most of the joys that can be found in a few short blocks.   From the beautiful court house heading out of town down Main, it is well worth it to drive through the construction to visit Powder River Pizza.   Great atmosphere with some great pizza.   The workers greatly support the Wyoming Pokes---so wearing team hats, could easily get you mistaken as a worker.  

    At the moment the end of Main Street is here.   Just this side of the construction is the larges bank I have ever seen!   Were the Hardees used to be, way back in the day.   Right past these signs the river slowly runs under the road.   And you can just see the OK Correl one of the towns many drive through liquor stores.   I love the fact that you can't drink and drive, but can buy booze without getting out of your car!    You can also just see the sky bridge across Main.  Offering some wonderful views any time of day.   Watch "rush hour" or the teens cruising Main.   Following out puts you by the nice KOA, and soon takes you out of town to Dayton, Billings,  and beyond. 

    Today we are going to talk about some great sights to the right of Main Street.   None very far away, but worth the journey.   Of course the movie house is a block of Main.   And a great place to hide out in the dark and air conditioning.  

Very near that is the old city hall building.   And some more great sculptures to view.  

Journey past this building another block and than take a left. 

    This old motel was a favorite of Buffalo Bills.   Take a tour or have dinner.   Maybe grab a drink  at the full bar.     Across the street is the old train depot.   Now another great bar, nicely named Rails.  

    Just to the left of the depot is this great train engine.    And across the street from that is another train depot of Sheridan's past.  

That just happens to be for sale.

I always thought it would make a great bar for competition to the one across the street.

Just down the tracks are some great old rail road cars and a caboose or two.   Which are also great

fun to explore inside.   I always thought an old caboose would make an awesome office for me. 

    Back track just a little bit to 5th Street and head out of town.   You will soon see a great museum on the left.   Filled with Sheridan's rich history. 

Just up the road is the game and fish building.   A great stop when you have some time to kill.   Especially if you do not know the local area or animals well.

And the visitors center.   If you visit there about time for sunset, you get a great show.   Does anyone re-call when this place had a huge wading pool?  That was so great growing up!