Play Whatcom 2022

Cover photo courtesy of Eivind Engen

Sumas Mountain Your convenient hike option

west

By Cal Bratt For the Tribune

Familiar old Sumas Mountain. Still there. Still blocking our full view of Mount Baker. Can anything good be said of Sumas Mountain?

Well, it is the closest opportunity for a good hike up into the hills. e trailhead is less than a dozen miles away. e 3.5-mile rigorous climb to the top a ords quiet vistas down onto the atland below.

From an open ledge facing north, there’s Sumas the city, all the farmland on either side of the international border, Abbotsford B.C. and the Fraser River valley and hills beyond.

When the trail at the top turns

south toward the communication towers on Sumas Mountain, one can nd clearings and sit for lunch on log stumps looking straight west down South Pass Road to Nooksack and Everson, the Nooksack River, Lynden and the water of the Salish Sea in the distance.

It’s a challenging and rewarding hike right close to home.

First, a bit about the start of the trail. It’s true, there’s been a change. e stub end of Sealund Road, o South Pass Road, can still be considered the start, with limited parking area -- please be respectful! But when one private land owner had had enough of allowing his land to be used, another one stepped up.

e new clearly marked 10-footwide corridor through cow pasture is courtesy of the Lautenbach family that has lived on the rolling hillside since 1975.

Donna Lautenbach says that it is her son Jayson who is in charge. He aims to head a trail work party each spring and fall. One work day was scheduled for this past Saturday, May

21, weather permitting.

As for the state Department of Natural Resources, which owns most of Sumas Mountain, “nobody’s done anything up there,” declares Donna Lautenbach. ere are managed timber harvests from time to time. One that was more visible a few years ago is now nicely lling back in with trees.

Still, the trails are in fair shape. e key fork in the main trail, about three-quarters-mile in, is marked with a sign, but keep your head up to spot it. To the right is “Mine,” remnants of long-ago mining, while to the left is “Cabin” and the route to the top.

e next marker is the crude cabin that could be slept in. Or at least you should mark your name in the register at the door. ere used to be a corral for the horses that are also allowed on Sumas Mountain. An outhouse remains.

Take the short connection to gravel road beyond, follow that road

From the top you have views down to Sumas, B.C. and familiar points

Logging roads (Page 4 photo), Vedder Mountain and the Fraser River valley stretch out to the north. Opposite page top left: The Lautenbach Trail has become the new access up Sumas Mountain. Opposite page bottom left: The cabin is worth a rest stop on the Sumas Mountain trail. Opposite page right: Author Cal Bratt. (Photos by Cal Bratt for the Tribune)

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about a quarter mile, and then be on a sharp lookout for the foot path veering o to the right. is is the trail. It crosses laterally for a bit and could link back to the mine area.

However, at an unmarked fork in the trail choose left and you will know quite quickly that you are ascending.

In fact, if you really want to climb, choose another left option trail for a serious but scenic scramble shortcut using all fours. Otherwise stay on the main trail through several switchbacks until the paths reunite.

You’re on an aerobic workout to the top. You feel the chill of the higher altitude, and in April what’s rain down below could be hail up here.

But nally the trees open up for views in pretty much all directions.

Don’t be unnerved upon nding folks up here greeting you from their four- and two-wheelers. ey have taken the Paradise Valley Road to the top. It is also the service road to the communication

Sumas Mountain is about 15 miles northeast of Bellingham and southwest of Vedder Mountain. Located in the Skagit Range, the mountain is notable for its high biodiversity and year-round hiking trails. (Cal Bratt for the Tribune)

and weather installations. But of course you don’t want anything that easy.

Get ready to use your braking muscles on the way down.

Stewart Mountain

On the skyline just south of Sumas Mountain is similarsized Stewart Mountain, a worthy day climb as well.

Access is from Lake Whatcom Park at the end of North Shore Road.

Most people have become familiar with the 2.4-mile Chanterelle Trail to a good overlook of Lake Whatcom.

But the trail goes another 2.6 miles higher on Stewart to end on the service road to the top. One can hope for a full trail someday.

For variety and a speedier descent, take the road down under the buzzing Bonneville Power Administration highvoltage lines that cross the mountain.

A picture is worth 1,000 words

Shoot photographs with the Bellingham Photography Club

By Bill Helm bill@lyndentribune.com

BELLINGHAM — ere’s no shortage of natural beauty in the Paci c Northwest.

Which means there’s no shortage of artists with their own distinctly unique ways to depict the PNW.

If photography is your kind of art, then the Bellingham Photography Club might be for you.

e purpose of the Bellingham Photography Club is to provide educational programs, encouragement, a camaraderie-sharing experience, and to motivate photographers to improve their skills.

With about two dozen members, the Bellingham Photography Club is a fairly small group, Club President Lorraine Day said. “But our interests and skills cover a large range.”

“We have landscape, wildlife, and still life photographers. Purists and wildly experimental photographers. Beginners

and the very experienced,” Day said. “We share a love of photography and art in general, but over time the friendships we have formed have become as important to us.”

From eld trips …

Club activities include monthly meetings, photography competitions, special interest forums, and mentorships.

Attend one of the club’s meetings to share your photographs, exchange ideas with your fellow photographers, learn from guest speakers, view slide shows and photography exhibits, submit photographs for critique, enter and judge

Bellingham Photography Club member Dennis Kirkland says at his website that photography is “an ideal blend of creative and technical challenges.” For more of Kirkland’s photographs, visit the Bellingham Photography Club website at bellinghamphotographyclub.zenfolio.com.

Bellingham Photography Club

Meetings are on Zoom at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. In addition to the monthly meetings, the Bellingham Photography Club holds member-presented mini-workshops on line on an irregular basis.

“So far this year we have had workshops on night photography and on digitally manipulated kaleidoscope photographs,” Day said.

For a Zoom link to the meetings, contact Lorraine Day at mesmerie1@gmail. com or George Sanders at george.sanders@outlook.com.

Anyone interested in the Bellingham Photography Club can contact Day and she “will set them up to join the meetings as a guest for three months before needing to join the club to continue.”

Also visit bellinghamphotographyclub.zenfolio.com for more information.

photography contests, even go on eld trips.

“We have occasional eld trips and an annual picnic where we can schmooze in person,” Day said. “Field trips might include a trip to Mosquito Lake Road, or to Whidbey Island, or to Northern State Hospital, or to photograph the foxes on San Juan Island. Whatever strikes someone’s fancy.”

Day explained that some of the Bellingham Photography Club’s members also meet o line in smaller satellite groups to share and discuss photography.

… to Zoom meetings

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bellingham Photography Club has held its meetings on Zoom.

Day said recently that there are no immediate plans to resume monthly meetings in person.

“Because we draw members from as far as Anacortes, we really appreciate the ability to do that,” Day said.

Day explained that monthly meetings currently alternate between programs, presentations, demos and a sharing night where members share photographs they shot for a previously announced theme.

Members also share photographs for the purpose of review or commentary. However, the club is “not a particularly competitive group,” Day said.

“We do not score or rate our photographs,” Day said. “We do participate in the Northwest Council of Camera Club’s annual Traveling Image Salon. Every year, NWCCC member clubs submit photos for competition, historically, physical prints. ese prints then circulate around the member clubs for voting over the course of the year, and the results are presented on NWCCC’s website and at their annual conference.”

With about two dozen members, the clubis a fairly small group, Club President Lorraine Day said. “But our interests and skills cover a large range.” (Photo courtesy Lorraine Day)

Bellingham Photography Club member Scott Pratschner composed this photograph of Lake Whatcom in June 2021.

The heart of Bellingham

Samish Crest Trail is a part of large channel of trails just southeast of the Sehome area in Bellingham. The peak is 787 feet in elevation and overlooks the Bellingham waterfront and cityscape. There is a onemile loop which is the main trail, but there are pathways that allow for at least a four-mile trek. (Connor J. Benintendi/Lynden Tribune)

Samish Crest Trail offers breathtaking views for beginner ‘hike’ near Sehome

By Connor J. Benintendi connor@lyndentribune.com

BELLINGHAM – If you haven’t looked for it, you probably didn’t even know it was even there.

e Samish Crest Trail o ers a wide channel of o shoot walks and pathways that, in some cases, lead you to a peak with a nearly 180-degree view of the water and cityscape.

For someone in Bellingham, it may be right in your backyard without you even knowing it. It

took my small family of mine — myself, girlfriend and dog — stumbling across it one day on a short walk from our apartment to even know it existed.

Unless you’re a trail junkie, you may be just as oblivious as we were.

On most digital maps (i.e. AllTrails, Maps.me) the Samish Crest Trail appears to be a short, one-mile loop. It’s far more than that. I would recommend downloading one of the two apps to your phone, as they may not accurately name the entire trail system, but it does appear on the map.

ere is a boatload of trails far beyond that loop.

e entrance closest to my apartment is the slightly hidden large hill that connects to Dumas Avenue. ere are also trail entrances o of Racine Street, Reveille Road and more. You could easily walk four miles if you choose.

e walk itself is a major-

ity wooded one, which varies in its sight-seeing. One major bene t is the lesser foot trafc, which allows you to let your dog o leash for long stretches if that suits you. It also just makes for a nice, quiet adventure.

At its peak, the trail will bring you to a peak that is a 787-foot elevation, according to my trusty Apple Watch compass. Most trail entrances range between 400 to 500 feet of elevation, so there are some uphill portions.

In all the times we have walked the trails there hasn’t been a ton of wildlife. Some deer down in the lower parts, sure, but mostly just birds as you continue on.

e trail’s greatest perk is its location. It’s just southeast of the Sehome area — a walk or short drive away. If you aren’t wanting to venture far from the heart of Bellingham, but are itching for a vantage point to feast your eyes on, this is a great hike.

Play inside – play outside – play Whatcom

By Elisa Claassen For the Tribune

Welcome to Whatcom County, Washington, where we play no matter what the season or the weather.

Whatcom County is nestled in the northwestern sector of the state with mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, ponds and the Nooksack River.

You can stand along the U.S./Canada border, often only marked with a small cable fence or ditch, and see where many movies and television shows are lmed at Hollywood North – which extends north of Lynden within a few miles. e following may not be everything you can do in Whatcom County. But it’s close.

PLAY INSIDE

Movies

Regal Barkley Village (3005 Cinema Place, Bellingham), Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St., Bellingham)

Museums

Lynden Pioneer Museum (217 Front St., Lynden), Mindport Exhibits (210 W. Holly St., Bellingham), Pioneer Park (Pioneer Park, Ferndale), SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention (1312 Bay St., Bellingham), Whatcom Museum (121 Prospect St., Bellingham).

PLAY OUTSIDE

Recreate

Phillips 66 Sports Complex

Adult softball is alive and well in Ferndale. Whatcom County Softball is a ve-division entity, with four men’s leagues (D1-D4) and a co-ed league. Beginning in late-April, games are played at the Phillips 66 sports complex, a multimillion dollar sports facility with four regulation softball elds.

Fields include out eld and sideline fences with warning track, dugout and backstop assemblies, and lights for nighttime games.

Besides baseball and softball elds, there’s also football and soccer elds, plenty of open space, and trails for walking, running and jogging, mountain biking, and dog walking.

Address: 5537 2nd Ave., Ferndale. Call 360-384-4302 for more information.

Lynden Parks and Recreation

Bender Fields are the place to be if you want to play baseball, softball or soccer.

Bender Family Recreational Park (Bender Fields) is a 56-acre ball eld complex that features 21 acres of open space, soccer elds, and lacrosse eld, 35 acres of softball, and youth baseball elds. For park facility reservations or availability, call the park o ce 360-354-

6717. Website: lyndenwa.org/parks.

PLAY WITH YOUR DOG

Squalicum Dog Park, Bellingham

Your pet is welcome to join you oleash on the trails of this park, though keep them away from the creek as it may be polluted. Pets must be leashed on the beach.

Lake Padden o -leash area

Located at the south end of the lake with access to public restrooms and the lake.

Shop with your dog

Many local businesses pride themselves on being dog friendly. One of them is Village Books.

Are You My Human?

At 1307 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, this dog rescue and lounge partners with rescues to help with adoptions but it also is a place for dog lovers to come and simply play with a dog.

PLAY IN OR ON THE WATER Bioluminescence

Bellingham Facebook groups espouse the magic season of seeing blue bioluminescence in the warmer summer months, biochemical emission of light

Downtown Bellingham contains Whatcom County’s governmental o ces, older shopping districts and access to the waterfront along Bellingham Bay. (Courtesy photo)

While the Northwest part of Washington is noted for its greenery from its rainy climate, the summers are glorious. Music and summer and fun go together. (Courtesy photo)

by living organisms such as re ies deep-sea shes, along the Bellingham waterfront such as at Teddy Bear Cove and Bellingham Bay.

A favorite way is to see it while on the water at night via sea kayak. Website: moondancekayak.com/ homepage/adventure-sea-

kayaking-trips/evening-trips.

Birch Bay

Generations of families head to play or stay for weekends along the water and walk the beach. Watch the sun go down while eating dinner.

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A new paved trail provides access to the beach as well as Birch Bay State Park which has 8,255 feet of saltwater shoreline. Website: birchbaywa.org.

Birch Bay Waterslides

At the end of Birch Bay Lynden Road the waterslide park has been open summers for more than 35 years. Website: birchbaywaterslides. net.

Bloedel Donovan Park

e swim docks were reinstalled last summer with the help of the Bellingham Bay Rotary. Boats can be rented in summer months, picnicking, access to the Whatcom Falls Park trails.

Website: cob.org/services/ recreation/parks-trails/parksguide/bloedel-donovan-park.

Going down the river

e Nooksack River, which has three main tributaries, brings sh and plenty of water throughout Whatcom County. During summer, get into the river in sections in boats or go tubing.

Website: triadrivertours. com/nooksack-riverwhitewater.

Racehorse Falls

e triad falls also have well known fossil beds in the vicinity.

Website: alltrails.com/

trail/us/washington/ racehorse-falls-trail.

Sailing

For those don’t have a boat, classes are an option: San Juan Sailing & Yachting, the Community Boating Center o ers private lessons from April through October.

Website: boatingcenter. org/classes/adult-lessons/ adult-sailing.

Chariot Adventures ASA

(American Sailing Education) has cruise n’ learn classes in the San Juan Islands.

Website: asa.com/ schools/washington/chariotadventures.

Semiahmoo boat

e MV Plover is the state’s oldest foot passenger ferry. It is back after COVID-19 for service by donation between Blaine and Semiahmoo Spit in 2022, between Memorial Day

and Labor Day weekend.

Website: blainebythesea. com/plover-passenger-ferry.

Sholes Creek Falls

A two-tiered waterfall of 62 feet and 103 feet with di cult access and only for those willing to safely handle a steep descent into a canyon beyond Glacier.

Website: theoutbound.

The Ragnarok team, shown celebrating a recent victory, is one of many who play in softball leagues across Whatcom County. (Photo courtesy Visceral Photography)

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com/washington/hiking/hike-to-sholescreek-falls.

Silver Lake Park

Minutes from Canada, although with no immediate crossing, the lake is part of a 410-acre Whatcom County Parks site with boating, shing, boat rentals and camping.

Website: whatcomcounty.us/3517/ Silver-Lake-Park.

Whale watching

San Juan Cruises sets sail from the Cruise Terminal in Bellingham with trips to Friday Harbor, crab dinner cruises on Chuckanut Bay, and out to see whales Website: whales.com.

is site o ers tips for those wanting to know more about Whales in the Puget

Sound and where to nd them.

Website: whidbeycamanoislands.com/ the-whales-of-puget-sound.

Zuanich Point Park

e 4.4-acre park is both a venue for special events, kite ying, children playing, and views across Bellingham Bay to nearby Eliza, Lummi, and Portage islands. Website: portofbellingham. com/509/Zuanich-Point-Park.

GOLF

Bellingham Golf & Country Club

Minutes from Bellis Fair Mall and Interstate 5. is members-only club was founded in 1912 and also o ers ne dining and swimming.

Website: bellinghamgcc.com.

Birch Bay Village Golf Course

is private nine-hole course is open to residents of Birch Bay Village and their guests.

Website: bbvcc.com/golfcourse.

Blaine Disc Golf Course

A block from the border with Canada in Lincoln Park the course has been added between the Western red cedars, r, and Big Leaf Maple.

Website: discgolfscene.com/courses/ Lincoln_Park_Blaine_WA.

Website: ci.blaine.wa.us/facilities/ facility/details/Lincoln-Park-24.

Cornwall Park Disc Golf

e 70-acre Bellingham park’s disc golf course was put into play in 1996 and features nine par-3 holes, paver tee pads, and DGA Mach V baskets.

Website: whatcomdiscgolfclub.com/ events/cornwall-park.

Dakota Creek Golf Course

A serene 18-hole Par 71 course near Custer with an old farmhouse and barn built by lumber milled on site in 1917.

Website: dakotacreekgolfcourse.com.

Homestead Farms Golf Club

At the north side of Lynden in former farmland, the 18-hole course has water traps, views of Mount Baker. e nishing hole has been voted best par-5 nishing hole in the state.

Jim Wynstra opened the course in 1993 at the same time the Homestead housing development was created. It continues to also have a restaurant, pro shop, tness center.

Website: homesteadgolfclub.com.

Lake Padden Golf Course

Rated by Golf Digest as one of the best municipal courses in Washington. e 18hole course is open to the public in what was second-growth forest land adjacent to Lake Padden Park.

Website: lakepaddengolf.com.

Loomis Trail Golf Course

Designed by Graham Cooke, Loomis is the number ve public golf course in Washington, according to Golfweek.

Website: gol oomis.com.

North Bellingham Golf

In July of 1995, Caitac USA Corp. of Bellingham developed this high-quality 18-hole public course for residents and visitors of Whatcom County located between Guide Meridian and Smith roads.

Website: northbellinghamgolf.com.

Raspberry Ridge Golf Course

is nine-hole course is midway between Bellingham, Everson and Lynden by the intersection of Hannegan and Pole roads. It is the home of the 10 Buck Club and costs $10 for nine holes or $17 for 18.

Website: raspberryridgegc.com.

Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club

An Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole course was named one of the top 10 courses in Washington in Golfweek in 2013. is 7,005-yard, tree-lined track brings water into play on ve holes.

Website: semiahmoogolf.com.

Shuksan Golf

e putting and chipping area has been under renovation early in 2022. Named after the ever-beautiful Mount Shuksan. e course varies over 100 feet in elevation and is located between Bellingham and Everson.

Website: shuksangolf.com.

A young person’s guide to Whatcom County

By Leora Watson and Connor J. Benintendi leora@lyndentribune.com connor@lyndentribune.com

Welcome young newcomers. You’ve picked a gorgeous slice of Washington state to live in.

e natural beauty of Whatcom County cannot be denied and with so much nature at your ngertips, it can be overwhelming to choose where to explore rst.

But do not fear. We are here to help.

Here are six must-visit locations in Whatcom County to start your exploration of our beautiful county.

Welcome to Whatcom.

Boulevard Park

Despite being possibly the most heavily tra cked park in the city, Boulevard Park never disappoints.

Unless, of course, you can’t nd a parking spot.

Take the South Bay Trail, either walking or biking, if you don’t want to deal with the tight parking lot and lack of parking on warm, sunny days.

You can start just outside of downtown Bellingham.

Boulevard Park has tons to o er. ere is a vast grassy space that is great for bringing your family, dog, frisbee, or all of the above.

Co ee is close by at the resident Woods Co ee, which offers a walk-up window.

If you have children, there is a large playground at their expense.

Whether you’re looking for an active experience — i.e. walking the Bellingham Boardwalk that connects to the trail through the park — or a relaxing one, this is a one-of-a-kind park not far from the hubbub of downtown Bellingham.

Hovander Homestead Park

Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale has a lot to o er. Stroll amongst the garden and take in the beautiful well cared

Locust Beach in Bellingham is not one of those locations you will most likely stumble upon with its out-of-the-way location. But once you get there, you’ll definitely find yourself wanting to come back.

for owers and plants, walk up the tower and look out at the vast park, stop by and say hi to the ducks, rabbits, chickens and other animals that reside in Hovander. Or walk along the many trails the park has to o er and take a gander at the large red barn and charming old home that looms overhead.

If you’re in the mood for having a lazy day in the sun, Hovander Homestead Park is the place to be. ere are plenty of picnic spots to lay in soft green grass or sit at picnic tables in the cool shade. Hovander is worth the visit and has something to o er for everyone.

Website: historylink.org/ le/9956.

Lake Padden Park

ere is a reason why Lake Padden Park is a favorite of Bellingham’s.

Its approximately threemile trail that wraps around the lake makes it the perfect location for a walk or run in nature.

e trail runs alongside Padden’s blue water that turns into a lush green forest with plenty of gorgeous spots to stop and

look out across the water along the way.

If water sports are not your thing, there are plenty of spots on the grassy eld next to the lake to lounge in the sun or have a barbecue.

Have a four legged friend? Lake Padden has a dog park and plenty of trails to get your canine’s energy out.

With its easy access to nature, make sure to add Lake Padden to your list of locations to visit. It’s one of the gems of Whatcom County.

Website: wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lake-padden-park.

Locust Beach

Do you like the beach? Do you like bon res? Do you like abandoned boats that have turned into a work of art?

Well, Locust Beach in Bellingham is the place for you.

Locust Beach is not one of those locations you will most likely stumble upon with its out of the way location. But once you go, you’ll de nitely nd yourself coming back.

After parking along the gravel road leading to the beach, walk under the train tracks and

down the many steps to access the beach.

ere you will nd bon re pits, forts made from driftwood by fellow beach goers.

If you walk far enough down the beach, you will nd an abandoned boat washed up on shore that has retired from being a sea vessel and taken on the role of a piece of art instead.

Locust Beach is one of the easiest and closest ways to access a beach in the Bellingham area.

Going at the right time during summer you might catch a low tide that stretches out for miles with warm ankle deep water to wade in.

And remember, always clean up after yourself. We want to keep our beautiful county clean.

Website: cob.org/project/ locust-beach.

Marine Park

If you have been on the hunt for a prime kayak launching location in Bellingham, this should be at or near the top of your list.

Marine Park is a waterfront park in Fairhaven that bene ts

(Leora Watson/Lynden Tribune)

Marine Park, top, o ers an easily accessible waterfront for launching kayaks, as well as a grassy area and picnic tables.The waterfront space at Boulevard Park, above, has a vast grassy area for activities and a boardwalk for sight-seeing. (Connor J. Benintendi/Lynden Tribune)

greatly from its primary attraction: long stretches of sandy beach space. e visibility and usability of the beach varies based on the tide level, though, so bear that in mind. When the tide is high, it is mostly rocks.

e lush greenery spread across the inland portion of the beach is a great place to toss out a picnic blanket for some morning or afternoon relaxation time. ere are also picnic tables if you forgot yours.

is is a quaint little park that runs just along the railroad tracks, furthering it as a should-be staple during a trip to Fairhaven. It also sits just o the Lower Padden Creek and Larrabee Trail, making it a great pit stop for bikers.

Whatcom Falls Park

If you aren’t a fan of rowdy college kids jumping from

waterfalls, avoid this place in the summer. Oh, you’re one of those kids? You’ll love this place.

In all seriousness, Whatcom Falls Park o ers some of the most beautiful non-waterfront sights in Bellingham — summer or not. From the rushing water of Whatcom Creek to the mossy bridge, to even the intrigue of the Bellingham Hatchery, it’s a must-visit park if you haven’t already been.

ere are a multitude of trails that connect to the main park area, if you’re looking for that sort of thing. It di ers from Boulevard and Marine parks, most notably in the lack of open spaces. Whatcom Falls Park makes up for that in the surrounding shrubbery and secluded beauty.

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Trekkers

By Bill Helm bill@lyndentribune.com

WHATCOM — e COVID-19 pandemic has not been kind to my waistline.

Two years ago I was a regular attendee of my local gym, and by regular I mean that I worked out anywhere from 60-90 minutes four days each week.

My exercise plan – as well as subtracting sodas from my diet – had helped me lose more than 40 pounds in a little less than a year.

been easy reclaiming my workout regimen.

As long as I can remember, people have talked about walking and how that’s such a great exercise. A few months back, my wife and I met a couple who participate in a weekly walking group called the NW Tulip Trekkers. Each Saturday, the group hoofs it across either Whatcom or Skagit county.

One week, it’s Lynden. Another, it’s Bellingham. Or Anacortes, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Coupeville, Deception Pass, Ferndale, Friday Harbor, La Conner, Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon … you name it, this group has probably walked it.

“Theyhave so much stuff!! Its a great placeforany outdoors person oreven DIYpeople They have good pricestoo.”

- Google Review

When workout centers across the fruited plain shut down with the pandemic, so did my discipline for exercise.

Nearly back to the weight I carried a few years ago, it’s not

According to the group’s Meetup page, the Tulip Trekkers are a group of friendly people doing weekly 10k and 5k walks all around the Paci c Northwest. In U.S. speak, that’s 6.2 miles and 3.1 miles, respectively.

Walking at a moderate pace without interruption, most

The Bellingham Marina is one of many place the NW Tulip Trekkers have walked on their monthly treks. (Photo courtesy NW Tulip Trekkers website)

Each week, the NW Tulip Trekkers walk across either Whatcom or Skagit county. One week, it’s Lynden. Another, it’s Bellingham. Or Anacortes, Birch Bay, Blaine, Burlington, Coupeville, Deception Pass, Ferndale, Friday Harbor, La Conner, Oak Harbor, Mount Vernon. Pictured, North Whatcom Lake. (Photo courtesy NW Tulip Trekkers website)

people can expect to complete a 10-km walk in about two hours, a 5-km walk in approximately one hour. But nobody is timing you. Take as long as you want.

e Trekkers Club is designed for AVA-member walkers (American Volkssport Association) and for individuals and families who just want to walk for fun and tness.

Anyone is welcome to join the walks and hopefully become interested in joining in the club.    Walks begin at 10 a.m., registration begins at 9:30 a.m. More information is at nwtrekkers.org.

At registration you will be signing a liability waiver (a disclaimer) “as our club cannot accept responsibility for any injuries or other harms you might incur during the walk,” the Meetup page states.

e walk hosts in this group are not guides, instructors or medical professionals. ey’re just walkers, like the rest of the group.

Membership costs $5 per year. Members pay $2 per walk. Although guests may participate for free, donations are always welcome.

Visit meetup.com/NW-Tulip-Trekkers-Walking-Club or nwtrekkers.org for more information.

Most walks are dog friendly. With leash and cleanup, of course.

So take a walk, and begin to get yourself back into shape. Or, to stay in shape, take a walk. Bottom line is all exercise is good exercise. Take a walk, make new friends, even see di erent parts of the area you may not be as familiar with.

Whatcom County Golf Courses

Play ‘base ball’ the way they did in 1860

By Bill Helm bill@lyndentribune.com

More than 200 teams across the country play ‘base ball’ the way they did before the Civil War.

Do you love base ball and history? Maybe vintage base ball is for you.

In 1860, base ball was spelled with two words. Today, vintage base ball has arrived to the Paci c Northwest.

For eight years I played on an 1860-era base ball team in Arizona.

My team was in a league and we played 25 games a year, including opening day and end-of-season tournaments.

In Whatcom County, I am building a team of vintage base ball players with the same goal in mind: to build more teams so we can play ball against each other and appreciate the great game and its history. is rst team, my team, is called the Whatcom Bay Stars.

Across the country there are companies that make wood bats the way they were made in the 1800s. We will use their bats. ere’s companies – and people –who make baseballs the way the way they did in 1860. We will use those base balls as well.

Base balls made in 1860 were made by hand, and they were signi cantly softer

than the balls used in the modern game. Which is why base ball in 1860 was gloveless. In our game, it’s no cleats, no gloves, no showboating.

Base ball in 1860 was a gentleman’s game. It was civilized, leisurely, fun. Although competitive, base ball was a game of sportsmanship.

In 1860, base ball was a game of elding. e batter was out when a ball was caught on the y or on one bounce, or when the batter swung and missed three times. e pitcher delivered the ball underhand.

Balls and strikes were not called. at is what the vintage game looks like.

e only di erence between the way

people played ball in 1860 and the way we’re doing it is that nobody will ever be excluded in our game.

e Whatcom Bay Stars are actively recruiting people to play ball. We’ve had a few practices, but we need more people so we can play actual games.

e way I see it, with close to 200,000 people in Whatcom County, there’s got to be at least 50 or 60 people who would like to play 19th century base ball.

With 60 people, that’s four teams.

Maybe some of you can no longer play ball but you like the game and would like to keep score, or maybe be an umpire? Well, we’d love to have you come out as well. We also need places to play ball. Base ball in its infancy was played on open elds. e Bay Stars have held a few practices at Bender Fields, and we will continue to do so, but we’d also love to play on open elds and give folks such a good show that they forget what year it is. If anyone has an open eld they’d let us play ball on, we want to know.

Interested in playing vintage base ball? Interested in learning more or participating in some way? Email me at bch. cameraeye@gmail.com. Also visit Facebook: Whatcom Bay Stars, or Facebook: PNW Vintage Base Ball Association. Come play. Come watch. Come all.

Play base ball the way they did before the Civil War. (Top photo by Teresa Helm. Photo above by Bill Helm)

Welcome

Originally

Whatcom County Map

Welcome to Whatcom County, a northwest paradise of small towns steeped in cultural heritage and history, and nestled perfectly between the big-city life in Vancouver, British Columbia to the north and Seattle to the south. Outdoor enthusiasts will find nothing lacking as the Whatcom playground goes from saltwater shores to the towering Cascades, framed by the ever-present Mount Baker, to the east. Whether you come for a day, a week or a lifetime, one thing you will know for certain: You are in the right place!

Play Whatcom in pictures

With its easy access to nature, make sure to add Lake Padden to your list of locations to visit. It’s one of the gems of Whatcom County. (Leora Watson/Lynden Tribune)

If you’re in the mood for having a lazy day in the sun, Hovander Homestead Park (above) is the place to be. (Leora Watson/ Lynden Tribune) Whatcom Falls Park (right) o ers some of the most beautiful non-waterfront sights in Bellingham — summer or not. (Connor J. Benintendi/Lynden Tribune)