Play Whatcom 2014

EXPERIENCING OUR BIG BACKYARD

A supplement of the Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record

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Play Whatcom 2014

Whatcom Table of Contents 2. Nature Reserves 3. Bellingham Bells 4. Artist Point 6. Oyster Dome 7. Downtown Sounds 8. Pickford Film Center 9. Larrabee State Park 10. Wineries 12. Map 14. Breweries 16. Coastlines 17. Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema 20. Parks 22. Sculptures 24. Biking

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Nature reserves offer wildlife-filled walks in Whatcom County Nature reserves offer wildlifefilled walks in Whatcom County Whatcom County has hundreds of publicly accessible acres peppering the diverse landscape, open for anyone wanting a wildlifefilled walk or stroll through the natural reserves.

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve With over four miles of hiking trails through a largely undisturbed forest, the landscape displays characteristics of an old-growth forest, including Douglas fir trees over 400 years old, a wide diversity of tree species, snags and decaying logs and a complex architecture of canopy, understory, shrub layer and tapestry of the forest floor.

Two ponds and additional wetland areas support a wide variety of plants and animals, including beavers (and their built creations in one of the ponds). Deer and smaller animals frequent the park.

Located east of Bellingham, you can get to the hundreds of acres that make up the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve near Lake Whatcom by following Lakeway Drive until reaching Lake Louise Road. A right turn there and Whatcom County’s multiple Nature Reserves offer walking trails and park-like it’s 1.6 miles to the parking lot settings in your own backyard. (Shawna Murphy/Lynden Tribune) on your left.

Forest Preserve at 2737 Lake waterfalls, all of which offer Jensen Family Forest Park Louise Rd.; short interprethe chance to catch a glimpse Plenty more One of the newest na- of the wildlife that calls the Other nature reserves and tive trails often used by local ture reserves in the Whatcom Jensen Family Forest Park conservancy areas include the schools for education in the County system, this 23-acre home.

Canyon Lake Community For- 39-acre Ostrom Conservation parcel sits between Lynden An easy three-mile walk- est, a 2,266-acre wilderness Site at 4100 South Pass Rd., and Ferndale and offers an ex- ing loop takes you past an ac- open seasonally; Euclid Park, near Sumas; and the 54-acre ample of a low-elevation old- tive beaver pond and an enor- two acres of wooded paths in Point Whitehorn Marine Regrowth forest. a pocket forest by the lake- serve that includes a quiet formous old-growth fir tree.

In addition to the ability The Jensen Family Forest shore of Bellingham’s Euclid est path off Birch Bay’s Koehn to wander among giant trees, Park is located on Stein Road, Avenue; four miles of hiking Road leading to miles of beach visitors can discover wetlands, just south of Birch Bay-Lyn- trails in the heavily wooded and tidelands. quiet ponds and even small den Road near Custer.

389-acre Lookout Mountain

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The Bells are back in town BELLINGHAM — As the days on the calendar keep passing by and the warmer weather starts to make its way to Whatcom County, it can only mean one thing for local baseball fans: It’s baseball season.

And with that, the return of the Bellingham Bells to Joe Martin Stadium inches closer and closer. The Bells are set to start their season on Friday, June 6, at Walla Walla for a three-game series, but will host their regular-season opener at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, June 9, against Klamath Falls, also for a three-game series.

For those looking forward to a fun summer at Joe Martin, be sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday nights. The Bells recently announced they are bringing back the popular promotion “Two Dollar Tuesday”

for the 2014 campaign.

With this deal, fans that purchase a ticket at regular price can get a second ticket for only $2. In addition, select

concession stand items will also be available for only $2.

This includes fountain drinks from Walton Beverage, featured products from Boundary Bay Brewery, featured products from Sound Beverage and fan-favorite nachos.

The Two Dollar Tuesday

promotion will take place on June 10, June 24, July 8, July 15 and July 29. Each game will start at 7:05 p.m.

“In 2013, our Two Dollar Tuesday promotion was a big hit for our fans,” Bells general manager Nick Caples said in a press release. “Our average attendance on Tuesday nights last season was 2,146, making it the highest attended night each week.”

This summer, the Bells are adding a new promotion called “Momday Monday.”

This new deal is designed to honor and appreciate moms.

On each Monday night home game this season, Momday Monday will bring special recognition, offers and raffles for moms.

The three Momday Monday’s will take place on July 7, July 14 and July 28.

“We have a number of promotions and theme nights throughout the summer that are a lot of fun for families.

However, we wanted to get a little bit more specific on Mondays and really focus on saying ‘thank you’ to all the moms out there,” Caples said. “We think that having just one Mother’s Day each year isn’t enough, so we are devoting Monday home games to these special women!”

Other promotions for the Bells this season include Salute To Armed Forces Night on June 25, Dinger Bobblehead Giveaway (first 750 fans) on June 28, Cascade Radio Group Sponsor Night on July 8 and Whatcom Business Alliance Sponsor Night on July 17.

For a complete list of the promotions, head to www. bellinghambells.com.

BELIEVE IT ACHIEVE IT Girls On The Run Spring 5k Saturday, June 7 at 9:00am Register today!

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360.220.3215

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Artist Point snow clearing due to be finished up in July Hold onto your horses, or your climbing shoes, for just a bit. It won’t be until July that Artist Point is cleared of snow and open for visitors.

Artist Point, located at the very end of the Mount Baker Highway (State Route 542), is famous for its 360-degree views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker as well as access to a variety of trails.

At more than 5,000 feet, it’s the highest piece of paved roadway in Whatcom County, first built in 1931.

To be sure, you can still do plenty of exploring earlier in the summer at lower elevations off the highway, using U.S. Forest Service roads to trails such as Hannegan Pass and Skyline Divide. Also, lower-level campgrounds are open, with Douglas Fir at Glacier being one of the more popular.

The Glacier Public Service Center (10091 Mt. Baker Highway, 360-599-2714) should be considered your check-in point for the latest on trail conditions, also looking at maps and filling your water bottle.

But there’s no beating the heady heights once the snow is sufficiently cleared off the last 2.7 miles of highway beyond

Being able to enjoy snow in summer is a big draw of Artist Point, to say nothing of the spectacular mountain views all around. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune) the Mt. Baker Ski Area complex.

It then stays open until about Oct. 1. By the way, expect some sharp curves and steep hillsides without guard rails along this short final stretch.

For many people, the big thing about Artist Point is be-

ing able to play in snow in the middle of the summer.

Within walking distance of the parking lot, look for interpretive displays to explain the geography, wildlife and history of the area.

Artist Point is also the

launching point for several trails. The easiest, although steep in places, is a scoot up nearby Table Mountain to enjoy a picnic lunch and the views atop. The longer Chain Lakes Loop winds you through wildflowers and past snowfields and several crystalline alpine tarns.

The hike down to Lake Ann in the shadow of Shuksan begins here. In the opposite direction, Ptarmigan Ridge trail takes you past towering Coleman Pinnacle to former Camp Kiser on one of the lesser used routes for climbing Mt. Baker itself. Often from these trails, you will be able to spot a herd of mountain goats foraging and romping, making the steep slopes look like a walk in the park.

You need to show a Forest Service Recreation Pass ($5 at the Glacier center) on your vehicle to park at the high parking lot.

Oh, just to be sure, no horses allowed at Artist Point.

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Oyster Dome hike offers sunny Puget Sound vistas No wonder this is a favorite hike of the week, or maybe of the year.

All the good vibrations of Northwest outdoor life come together in this ideally situated climb on Chuckanut Mountain south of Bellingham. The trailhead is off scenic Chuckanut Drive, which itself hugs the steep hillside to Samish Bay. The trail ascent, while a challenge, pays off with vistas from lookouts and at the summit onto the Skagit flats and the scintillating Puget Sound island archipelago to the west.

“Count islands, watch boats, and soak up the sun’s rays,” says the Washington Trails Association.

Oyster Dome is a popular hiking destination year-round since it remains generally free of winter snow.

This also happens to be the only place in the Cascades where mountain directly meets sea. That affords the venturer a rare best-of-bothworlds opportunity.

All the way up and back, it’s a 6.5-mile effort rated as moderate. The elevation gain is 900 feet. Dogs are allowed on this trail, and on a splendid Sunday in May the canine climbing companions were out aplenty.

Be careful at the top. You break out of the forest onto the rim of the promontory. Keep children and dogs nearby.

Oyster Dome’s abrupt drop may lead you to clam up. But once you get oriented, it’s time to just sit and enjoy.

There are two notable way stops. Amphitheatre Bat Caves, at the base of the dome, is best appreciated at a safe distance — the rocky chaos is extremely hazardous as well as defended by its winged denizens. The Samish Overlook day-use area, on the other hand, is a totally hospitable spot managed by the Wash-

Samish Overlook, with views of the Skagit flats and westward islands, is a worthy side destination all by itself, off the main climb to Oyster Dome. (Calvin Bratt/Lynden Tribune)

ington Department of Natural Resources. About a half-mile side hike from the main trail — watch for directional signs — the picnic area with restrooms is also accessible by vehicle via gravel road and is a

popular launch point for hang gliders.

On a beautiful weekend, Oyster Dome can be the destination of choice for many day-trekkers. Be prepared for tight parking on the Chucka-

nut Drive shoulder just south of The Oyster Bar restaurant.

Catch Chuckanut (State Route 11) in the Fairhaven district of Bellingham and go past Larrabee State Park into Skagit County.

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Downtown Sounds brings music back to central Bellingham this summer For the past nine summers, Bellingham’s Downtown Sounds has provided visitors with a wide variety of musical acts for their enjoyment.

The five weeks of Downtown Sounds kicks off on Wednesday, July 9, and runs every Wednesday night from 6 to 9:30 p.m. through Aug. 6.

The award-winning event effectively takes over the 1300 block of Bellingham’s Bay Street on those evenings, and serenades attendees with free music. Local food vendors also set up shop there, and the Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro joins with the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention to provide the popular beverage garden.

This is the lineup:

July 9 Headliner: MarchFourth Marching Band Opener: Galactic Cirque Troupe Genre: Funk/Rock/Jazz July 16 Headliner: The Prime Time Band Opener: The Austerman File Genre: Funk/Soul July 23 Headliner: Polecat Opener: Hillstomp Genre: Bluegrass

For six consecutive Wednesdays, Downtown Sounds will bring music to downtown Bellingham. (File photo)

July 30 Headliner: Publish the Quest Opener: 3 on the Tree Genre: World/Hop-Hop

Aug. 6 Headliner: Voyager Opener: The Trees: A Rush Tribute Genre: Rock

For more information about Downtown Sounds and other happenings in downtown Bellingham, visit h t t p : / / d ow n t ow n b h a m . wordpress.com.

2014 Events Cross Border Expo Movie Nights

June 12th July 11 & August 1

Street Festival

August 22 & 23

Harvest Festival

October 11th

Pumpkin People Downtown Trick-or-Treat Tree Lighting

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October 22nd-31st October 31st December 5th

Friday, August 22 6 pm-11:30 pm

Saturday, August 23 10 am-11:30 pm ART & CRAFT VENDORS FOOD BOOTHS KIDS STREET

•

•

LIVE MUSIC

BEER & WINE TENT

FESTIVAL OF FENDERS CAR SHOW FerndaleStreetFestival.com

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Pickford Film Center brings lesserknown films to the big screen Industry demands on movie theaters are becoming harder and harder to meet, but small, local theaters such as Bellingham’s Pickford Film Center have adapted well to the often-expensive changes required to stay afloat in the movie business.

The Pickford opened at its Bay Street location in April 2010, debuting a new space that features two screens, a 1,300-square-foot lobby and café and fully updated amenities all around.

The theater stocks a variety of beers and wines, just one of the characteristics making it a unique commodity in Whatcom County.

Between the primary Pickford location on Bay Street and the LimeLight location at 1416 Cornwall Ave., the Pickford is able to showcase a number of movies at once. For instance, in mid-

The Pickford Film Center debuted a new theater space on Bellingham’s Bay Street a few years ago. (Brent Lindquist/Lynden Tribune)

Hotel.”

Upcoming films this summer include a wide variety of less-known films, performances and ballets. A list of confirmed upcoming shows, as well as current showtimes, can be found at PickfordFilmCenter.org.

May, the theater was showing the vampire film “Only Lovers Left Alive” along with “Le Week-End,” a movie about a British couple’s efforts to rekindle their relationship with a trip to Paris, and Wes Anderson’s unique ensemble picture “The Grand Budapest

ent pars today! l o d i co k Be thep your u n Sig

Sunday, June 29th BELLINGHAM kids traverse Bellingham Kids Traverse.com

Chinook Chinook (solo)

Coho Coho

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Chum Chum

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Northwest Traverse Series Winthrop Olympia North Bend Bellingham June 14th July 26th

Sept. 6th

Sept. 20th

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New Rock Trail opens in Larrabee State Park Visitors to Larrabee State Park in south Whatcom County have a new reason to strap on their hiking shoes. The park has opened a new 1.2-mile Rock Trail.

The hiker-only trail features a sandstone rock formation estimated at 50 million years old, according to the state, and also streams, cliffs, a log bridge and views of Mount Baker and the Twin Sisters.

It also boasts a 100-foot staircase that drops into a steep ravine.

The Rock Trail creates a shorter hike down to Lost Lake.

Parking is at the Lost Lake lot, which is a half mile south of the main entrance to Larrabee State Park off Chuckanut Drive. A Discover Pass is required.

Volunteers from the Chuckanut Conservancy, Washington Trails Association and Mount Baker Club spent thousands of hours building the trail. Bellingham REI also contributed a $4,000 grant.

Learn about the trail’s geology by going to Bellingham geologist Dave Tucker’s blog at nwgeology.wordpress.com.

Gigantic rock formations along a newly formed trail at Larrabee State Park give hikers a fresh geological perspective. (Courtesy photos/Dave Tucker, nwgeology.wordpress.com)

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Mon - Sat 11 to 5 • Sun 11 to 4 Classes available upon request

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Whatcom a rural wine showcase

Wine in Whatcom County is all about passion — not just for the vintners, but also for the consumers who keep them in business. It has to be in order for the industry to grow at its current pace.

While it may seem counter-intuitive for vintners to set up wine-making shops so far from the Eastern and Central Washington vineyards that supply them, there are some very good reasons Whatcom County has about a dozen wineries all trying to tempt your palate.

“Retail is seasonal in Eastern Washington,” said Bill Kimmerly, describing why, after seven years of wine-making in that region, he finally moved to Bellingham in 2011.

Kimmerly and his partner Jennifer own Masquerade Wine Company. Both have a background in biotechnology, which had a hand in fostering their interest in wine and fermentation.

But as a relatively small yet experienced wine maker, Kimmerly decided he needed to move to Western Washington because that’s where most of the wine drinkers in the state actually live.

Like most small wineries, Masquerade has no distributor relationship, doing direct sales to consumers and tasters or selling directly to local groceries, wine shops and restaurants.

Masquerade, located at 2001 Iowa St., also maintains the Market Cellars Tasting Room in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. That room features wines from Whatcom County’s oldest and largest estate winery, Mount Baker Vineyards.

Estate wineries are rare enough in Western Washington. But Mount Baker Winery’s Deming-area location makes it a truly unique operation.

Growing grapes in a cooler climate like the Pacific Northwest means making deliberate choices about grape

Mount Baker Vineyards is Whatcom County’s oldest and largest estate winery. (File photo) types. One thing is for certain, only some types of grapes will do well in cooler climates, and reds are not among them.

That’s why the Mount Baker Vineyards tasting room, located at 4298 Mt. Baker Highway, offers an educational and enjoyable experience all in one.

Not only does Mount Baker offer plenty of red wines made on-site (from crush imported from other appellations), it also offers tasters a chance to sample some rare white varietals that are bound to change many a mind and broaden horizons.

Mount Baker does that with just a half-dozen acres, making it the largest grape grower in Whatcom County.

However, even with that status, the final balance of estate wine (from grapes grown on site) and the rest is, during the

best years, a 50-50 split.

It’s no secret among wine-makers that red wines are popular and tend to dominate the discussion. However, pairing wine with the vast locally grown bounty of food demands a wide variety of wine types.

Kimmerly, who is the current president of the Whatcom Wineries Association, said tourists and local winelovers alike can obtain a map for guiding themselves on a tour of local wineries. With two in Blaine, several in the east county and a pocketful in Bellingham, it may take more than a day to take them all in.

Part of the appeal of touring in Whatcom County, Kimmerly said, is the intimate rural and farm settings that are offered. Samson Estates Winery of Everson, for example, keeps a full-service wine

tasting facility with the best of them, in order to showcase its signature array of berry wines. Dakota Creek Winery offers a smaller but elegant setting designed by owner Ken Peck.

All of these offerings measure up well compared to the industrial setting of Woodinville’s wine district.

“The rural and farm settings in Whatcom County really capture the imagination of wine lovers,” Kimmerly said.

For more information about Whatcom wineries, visit www.whatcomwineries. com.

Tours of local wineries are offered by some local companies, including Northwest Limousine Service. Visit them at limobellingham.com or call 360-220-0207 and ask about wine tours.

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The Visual and Sensual Gallery of Art Glass and Designer Jewelry 915 Harris Avenue 360-647-4592

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ACME

Welcome to Whatcom County, a northwest paradise of small towns steeped in cultural heritage and history, and nestled perfectly between the big-city life inVancouver, 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!

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Local breweries ready for summer

The North Fork Brewery, doubling as a wedding chapel, features hand-crafted beers and delectable pizza. (Courtesy photo/North Fork Brewery)

Everyone agrees that there are plenty of fun activities to partake in during the summer months in Whatcom County. And for residents over the age of 21, there are several places to enjoy a nice cold refreshing beer when the sunshine is out in full force.

In Bellingham, one of the more popular destinations is the Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen. Located downtown on Holly Street, Chuckanut offers both great beers and food items for the hungry or thirsty patron.

Whether you’re looking for an ale or a lager, or more, Chuckanut has you covered.

Some of its fine beers have also been recognized for their great taste. This includes the Yellow Card Golden Ale and Pilsner Lager, which were both recipients of Silver WA Beer Awards in 2013.

The food service starts ev-

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BBQ & CAR SHOW EVERYONE WELCOME WHATCOM CRUISERS ASSOCIATION

Play Whatcom 2014 ery day at 11 a.m. The menu offers a wide variety of choices, including starters, soups and fresh salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood items and pizza.

You can order to 9:30 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday and to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Also located downtown is the Boundary Bay Brewery, which features a tap room, family-friendly bistro and an outdoor deck for outdoor dining and outdoor concerts throughout the summer.

Boundary Bay also handles many award-winning beers, including an Amble Ale, Dry Irish Stout, ESB, Oatmeal Stout, Porter and Imperial IPA. Boundary Bay schedules events frequently throughout the summer, which can be found online at www.bbaybrewery.com. This includes outdoor barbecues and concerts for visitors to enjoy.

Another fun brewery to visit this summer is the Kulshan Brewery, which is

located on Bellingham’s James Street. Kulshan is a 15-barrel brewery, with a tap room and a nice sitting area. Unlike Chuckanut and Boundary Bay, Kulshan does not feature an on-site kitchen, but management encourages visitors to bring in their own food to enjoy. Nearby restaurants include Avenue Bread, Coconut Kenny’s and Lucky Panda. Visitors can also bring food from home to enjoy at Kulshan.

If you’re into local music, Kulshan will be featuring Bellingham band The Devilly Brothers on Sunday nights from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. frequently throughout the summer. Kulshan will also be hosting Trivia Night at 8 p.m. every Monday.

Not to be forgotten is the North Folk Brewery located on the Mount Baker Highway in Deming. The brewery is known for its hand-crafted beers and delicious pizza.

Visitors of North Folk can enjoy the popular American wheat ale, mild brown Ale,

360-778-7665

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Located in downtown Bellingham, the Boundary Bay Brewery features a variety of award-winning beers.

(Courtesy photo/Boundary Bay Brewery)

strong scotch ale, Porter ale, India Pale ale and Cask conditioned ales, which are the purest form of English beers.

As for the food, the piz-

zeria has pies of 12 and 13 inches, along with 18 and 19-inches. The pizza sauces is prepared with fresh spices and the dough is hand tossed.

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Find your favorite Whatcom County coastline

So maybe you can’t think wide expanses of open sandy beaches when you think Whatcom County coastline.

But don’t let that stop you from scraping your feet against a few barnacles, finding those lonely patches of soft sand and sifting through beach-found treasures right in your own county.

At least Whatcom County has coastline diversity.

Once you get over the fact that sandy expanses aren’t the norm, you can start to appreciate the coast we have for what it is: fun for exploration. From Semiahmoo to Larrabee, stopping along the way at Birch Bay, Point Whitehorn and Bellingham Bay, Whatcom County does have a pleasant mix of coastline — I don’t really think we should call them beaches, do you? — for everything from sea glass exploration to starfish finding, driftwood fort making and even good oldfashioned relaxing.

Let’s start from the top, shall we? While Blaine’s Drayton Harbor isn’t a massive draw for coastline enthusiasts, the nearby Semiahmoo Spit opens up new options — even with a smattering of coarse sand here and there. Strolling, sifting through the rocks or simply relaxing along the spit can open up some great family times.

Birch Bay, named for the stands of birch trees originally found in the area, offers up the most in the way of sandy exploration, especially when the tide is out. While not known as the cleanest of sand, a shovel and bucket can be put to good use here. Moving outside of the bay, whether off the shore of Birch Bay Village or elsewhere, locals have been known to get in some surfing on especially choppy days. And this area, or Semiahmoo, can make for

Coastlines throughout Whatcom County offers up fun experiences for both young and old. (Tim Newcomb/Lynden Tribune) a fun spot to drop your kayak or SUP in the water for a look at the coastline from the water in.

Tucked away from many folks, Point Whitehorn offers up the most wildlife-friendly of the area’s coastline. A ¾-mile trail through trees leads to a switchback trail that descends from the bluff down to a beach below, offering a chance to turn over rocks aplenty to find crabs and other skittering creatures. With plenty in the way of views, some wet sand when the tide is out and scattered drift-

wood, there’s definitely exploration opportunities here.

Plus, you get an interesting view of ships at Cherry Point.

Bellingham Bay, named

by British explorer George Vancouver in 1792, doesn’t have much in the way of coastline intrigue, unless you like the idea of a grassy park with lapping water nearby.

To get the really good stuff of Bellingham Bay, you’ll need to hop a ferry and venture over to Lummi Island. It is there you can get the best of many of Whatcom County’s coastline worlds.

If the ferry ride isn’t your thing, but you’re up for heading a touch south — not counting Fairhaven’s Marine Park, which is swell for a simple quick ocean fix and view — Larrabee offers a beautiful mix of kayak launching, sand, rocks and maritime exploration.

If you’re dreaming of those sandy beaches with the sun glaring, you best keep dreaming — or buy a plane ticket — but if some real exploration sounds sweet, you have your pick on Whatcom County’s coastline.

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Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema offers a natural way to watch your favorite movies

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Lynden’s Fairway Center “Has it ALL!”

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The Village Green at Fairhaven comes alive with an outdoor movie on Saturday evenings in the summer.

DEALER

(Tim Newcomb/Lynden Tribune)

Not every good movie is locked away in a cinema, especially when you’re talking about summer in the Pacific Northwest.

The 15th season of the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema kicks off on June 21 and runs well into August, giving Whatcom County residents a chance to relive a summer tradition with their favorite moving pictures.

Presented by Ben Kinney and Keller Williams, the 2014 summer season runs each Saturday evening from June 21 through Aug. 23. Movie showings begin at dusk, with opening entertainment preceding them.

The films are shown rain or shine — this is Whatcom County, after all — on the 30foot screen on the Fairhaven Green with ground seating available on the grass and limited chair seating on the surrounding brick areas.

The $5 admission per person includes the live entertainment and any giveaways.

Ages 5 and under get in free.

The live entertainment is by some of Bellingham’s best performers and the food options include kettle corn and hot slices from Fairhaven Pizza and Prawns.

The list of movies is: • June 21, “The Goonies” • June 28, “Frozen” • July 5, “Gravity” • July 12, “Finding Nemo” • July 19, “Footloose” • July 26, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” • Aug. 2, “The Sandlot” • Aug. 9, “The Lego Movie” • Aug. 16, “Star Trek Into Darkness” • Aug. 23, “The Princess Bride” For more details, go to www.FairhavenOutdoorCinema.com or www.facebook. com/FairhavenOutdoorCinema.

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14 Locations Throughout Whatcom County. THEWOODSCOFFEE.COM

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Garden variety offers sight and smell to visitors The smell of roses — and an almost endless array of plants — and beauty of blooms don’t disappoint with three publicly accessible gardens stretched across diverse regions of Whatcom County.

From Glen Echo Garden east of Bellingham to Big Rock Garden within the city and the variety of gardens in Ferndale’s Hovander Homestead Park, you can fill more than a day meandering the offerings of Whatcom County gardens.

Glen Echo Garden in east Whatcom County offers a variety of garden styles for visitors to enjoy. (Courtesy photo/Glen Echo Garden)

Glen Echo Garden Located at 4390 Y Rd., Bellingham, about six miles east of Bellingham, Lynden native Dick Bosch had a dream to build a botanical garden.

While he dreamed big in 1968

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Big Rock Garden showcases numerous original sculptures in its 2.5-acre space. (Courtesy photo/City of Bellingham) and started working on his property in the early 1970s, it wasn’t until 40 years later that Bosch was able to fully create his garden, now a seven-acre retreat nestled into property that was once owned by the Glen Echo Coal Mine.

Open Monday through Saturday (admission prices available at glenechogarden. com), the garden invites visitors looking to investigate the six distinct gardens within Glen Echo. The gardens are: fern and moss garden, blue garden, stump garden, rose garden, English garden and fuchsia and begonia garden.

Big Rock Garden Managed by the City of Bellingham and nestled in a grove of evergreens above Lake Whatcom, the city’s Big Rock Garden also showcases original sculptures in a 2.5acre garden.

Meandering paths wander through the peaceful landscape, where nature and art complement each other. The park boasts over 37 permanent works by distinguished international and local artists, including a striking geometrical sculpture by renowned Mexican artist Sebastian and rarely seen pieces by Canadian artist David Marshall.

Seasonal change in the garden offers new experiences with each visit. Rhododendrons and azaleas announce spring with brilliant colors, over 100 varieties of maples signal the arrival of fall and the conifers’ restful winter hues complete the year.

Located at 2900 Sylvan St. in the Silver Beach neighborhood, the garden — with free admission — is open dawn to dusk year-round.

Fragrance Garden Adjacent to the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center in Ferndale’s Hovander Homestead Park is the award-winning Fragrance Garden. Here visitors are encouraged to touch, smell and enjoy the beauty of well over 200 plants.

The raised beds are wheelchair-accessible and have a unique Braille system to provide plant identification for the blind. The bounty of fragrances is designed to give more meaning to plants even for those who can’t see them.

Located within the larger Hovander park, nearby is a wetland boardwalk and other, smaller garden interests, such as a children’s story garden.

The garden is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk at no charge.

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County parks are as varied as they are numerous Whatcom Falls Park 360-676-6985 Whatcom Falls Park is a 241acre in-city park, filled with a collection of waterfalls and easily accessible trails. The Chuckanut sandstone bridge, built in 1939, is a tremendous vantage point to view the falls that pour into Whatcom Creek. Pathways are well maintained with frequent interludes with the creek.

Established in 1908, updated facilities include two picnic shelters, playgrounds, multi-purpose fields, a basketball court, tennis courts, barbecues, picnic tables, restrooms, trails, interpretive displays, a fish hatchery and parking.

Whatcom Creek Gorge provides dramatic waterfall views and sounds.

Educational signage about local fish is located at the fish hatchery. Trailheads into the park are located off a bunch of the surrounding streets and avenues: Woburn, Electric, Kansas, Flynn, Iowa and Erie, to name a few.

For more information on the history and points of interest in the park, visit the City of Bellingham’s Cornwall Park office.

Larrabee State Park 360-902-8844 Larrabee is located on historic Chuckanut Drive with beach access, green space and trail access. It is a great destination park, complete with a historic drive and district nearby.

Berthusen Park Just outside Lynden’s city limits, this park on Berthusen Road offers a look at antique and historic farm equipment, oldgrowth trees and green space and a creek with hiking trails.

Birch Bay and Birch Bay State Park Contact: Chamber of Commerce/ Visitor’s Center 360-371-5004 Take the kids and grand-

parents alike to Birch Bay in the summer to play in the sand, eat ice cream at the C Shop or picnic at Birch Bay State Park to the south. Quaint seaside shops and merchants sell sunglasses and T-shirts. For a special treat and a little excitement, be sure to get your feet wet in August and participate in the community-wide sandcastle contest held each year. Waterslides, bicycling around the bay, and eating a picnic lunch fill up the day.

Boulevard Park South State Street & Bayview Drive, Bellingham 360-676-6985 Boulevard Park along the waterfront between the downtown and Fairhaven is a perfect place to play, picnic or simply relax while basking in the beauty of the Bellingham Bay. A playground keeps the kids busy while a paved walkway provides the perfect place to walk, jog or roller blade, if you wish. Memorial benches provide places to sit for a snack and a chat when the walk is finished. While there, you are likely to see a freight or Amtrak train pass by, sailboats glide across the bay, or at dusk be able to witness a spectacular Northwest sunset over the water silhouetting the downtown. Park hours are dawn to dusk.

Black Mountain Forestry Center 9006 Silver Lake Rd., Maple Falls 360-733-2654 Want an experience that is fun and educational and will take your breath away? Head to the Black Mountain Forestry Center for a mini-bus ride to the 2,000foot level above the valley floor, visit a home built out of a gigantic cedar tree (now a museum), and learn about harvesting and using timber products. The Black Mountain Forestry Center is located across from the Silver Lake Park entrance and is open

Sweeping views of lakes, mountains and oceans all work into aspects of county and state parks. (File photo) Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Deming Homestead Eagle Park Truck Road (off the Mt. Baker Highway east of the Nooksack Casino), Deming Watch the most majestic of birds, the eagles, soar through the sky or feast upon salmon from the Nooksack River. A trail with interpretive signs tells about the eagles and their habitat in the Pacific Northwest. You will also see habitat restoration projects and learn about Northwest ecology. On a clear day, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Twin Sisters and other mountain scenery.

Hovander Homestead Park & Tennant Lake Interpretive Center 5299 Nielsen Rd., Ferndale 360-384-3444/360-384-3064 Experience a day on the farm at Hovander Homestead Park, once the home of the Hovander family. Walk through barns full of antique farm machinery, see pigs and pet rabbits, and giggle at the chickens, then feed the ducks and geese. Take a long climb up a tower for a beautiful view of the grounds and tour

the 100-year-old homestead’s large home. On a short drive or walk from Hovander, stop over at the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center where you can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a fragrance garden designed for the blind and sighted to appreciate. Another tower overlooks Tennant Lake, the wetlands and the gardens.

Lynden City Park 8460 Depot Rd., Lynden Enjoy a beautiful day in pristine Lynden City Park. Romp around on the new Million Smiles playground (now considered the best playground in all of Whatcom County), wade in Fishtrap Creek, once the center of a Native tribal village, or wander down the Jim Kaemingk Sr. Trail from the park into residential neighborhoods. For family get-togethers or other group events, covered dining and kitchen areas are available by reservation. Park hours are 7:30 a.m. to dusk, unless you have a kitchen reservation.

Pioneer Park 2002 Cherry St., Ferndale 360-384-0792/360-384-4302 Step back in time with a tour of Pioneer Park. Over a dozen

Play Whatcom 2014 log buildings, some more than 100 years old, are filled with relics and antiques. Visit the post office, the church, the granary and the old country store and hear stories of what it was like growing up as a pioneer in Ferndale. Tours are available Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment.

Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve Koehn Road, Ferndale The newest park in Whatcom County officially opened on Memorial Day 2009 and features 54 acres and 1,900 feet of salt-water beach. Enjoy a fully accessible 3/4-mile trail through wooded wetlands to scenic overlooks and beach. Low tide allows visitors to experience abundant sea life usually hidden. A switchback path descencds from the bluff to access a windswept cobble beach. Interpretive signs along the trail tell of forest, wildlife and marine ecology. Access to the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve, recognized for its kelp forests, herring spawning and importance to fisheries is an added bonus.

Silver Lake Park 9006 Silver Lake Rd., Sumas 360-599-2776 Take a scenic drive up to Silver Lake Park, nestled deep in the Northwest woods and meadows. The park offers fishing, pedal boats, row boats and canoe rentals, picnicking, camping, hiking and a playground for the kids. You are likely to be joined by Canada geese and goslings around the water. Group facilities are available for rental.

Park summer hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Lighthouse Park -- Point Roberts via Canada Enjoy the many splendors Point Roberts and Lighthouse Marine Park have to offer.

Panoramic views, magnificent sunsets, and the best landbased whale watching you will find make Lighthouse Marine Park the perfect get-away for the weekend or for the day.

A 52,000-square-foot boardwalk provides many places to have a picnic. It is furnished with a multitude of picnic tables. While you are

on the boardwalk, be sure to visit the Orca Center. Lifeforce Foundation, a marine mammal research organization, has furnished it with photos, recordings, and a wealth of information about the local J, K, and L pods of whales. Just outside the Orca Center is a two-story whale-watching tower that affords excellent views of the surrounding area.

A short drive through Canada is required, so bring your passport.

Samish Park The 39-acre site of Samish Park became the first Whatcom County park in 1968. It sits on the southeast slope of the Chuckanut Mountains and at one time the timber industry used the lake as a log-rafting pond. With about 1,500 feet of shoreline, the property was formerly a fishing resort known as Paradise Point. Currently, this day-use facility has an enclosed swimming area, a fishing dock, non-power boat rentals, picnic facilities, hiking trails, a children’s playground and much more. Terraced on a

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beautifully landscaped hillside, the skillful use of native plant material combined with many Northwest favorites creates a botanical wonderland snuggled along the lakeshore.

The rustic Day Lodge has a great atmosphere to rent for a small wedding, family social or business meeting, available in the off season only (approximately the day after Labor Day in September through Memorial Day in May).

Semiahmoo (360) 733-2900 The 1.5-mile-long sandspit at Semiahmoo, aside from being a striking natural landform, has long been associated with the fishing industry both on Puget Sound and in Alaska as the last port of call for the legendary Alaska Packers Association sailing fleet. Within the park over 300 acres of tidelands offer an abundance of recreational opportunities. Beachcombing, clamdigging, birdwatching, and picnicking may be enjoyed year-round by park visitors.

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WWU features a variety of sculptures for visitors to enjoy The WWU Outdoor Sculpture Collection contains representative works by Richard Serra, Donald Judd and Bruce Nauman, as well as numerous other artists, both locally and internationally renowned as some of the most influential and important figures in contemporary sculpture and art.

As far as Whatcom County’s offerings for the art connoisseur, the walking tour of the WWU collection is among the most impressive experiences.

The goal, according to the published transcript of the sculpture collection’s walking tour, is to “unite exterior art in the form of sculpture with Western’s well-known architecture and natural environment.” This union is apparent from the start. Not only are the individual works themselves stunning, but their incorporation into the beautiful campus and its stunning scenery creates an overall effect unlike much else.

For example, Donald Judd’s sculpture, “Untitled,” from 1982, located near Old Main, Western Washington University’s first building, is not only spectacularly beautiful and intriguing, but it is set into the landscape specifically to utilize the spectacle provided by the Canadian Coastal Range in its background.

Mark di Suvero’s “For Handel,” was installed in front of the Performing Arts Center in 1975, on a panoramic overlook of Bellingham Bay. This enormous, red sculpture of contorted metal set against the natural beauty imparts an effect in the viewer the artist himself describes as “the sensation of rapture, a spatial concept that gives a sense of being able to make it blaze.”

The southern half of the walking tour deals less with the intersection of art and

Western Washington University has an Outdoor Sculpture Collection that allows for a diverse mixture of visual experiences (Courtesy photo/Western Washington University) the Western campus’s natural beauty, and more directly flirts with the interplay of sculpture and the campus’s distinct architecture. A prime example of this is Richard Serra’s sculpture titled “Wright’s Triangle,” from 1978.

“Wright’s Triangle” is located to the south of Western’s Red Square. This 101-ton Corten sculpture lies at the intersection of three paths that lead to each apex of the triangular sculpture. The massive piece absolutely destroys the flow of traffic through this heavily

walked pathway, but its unavoidability for students or visitors viscerally imposes its significance upon the viewer or annoyed, put-off passerby.

Also distinctively architectural is Bruce Nauman’s piece from 1979-80 titled “Stadium Piece,” that literally appears to be an alternately ascending and descending stairway to nowhere. This piece in opposition to the offensively non-functional piece by Serra could provide a convenient and unconventionally attractive seating area

and gathering place for students. Nauman, whose distinctly philosophical art that has been expressed in a variety of media is here as confounding and unconventionally aesthetically appealing as it is anywhere.

This is just a small sampling of the great artists highlighted in the collection.

Other artists’ works presented include: David Ireland, Isamu Noguchi, Anthony Caro and Robert Maki.

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Many biking opportunities exist for county cyclists There are plenty of areas around Whatcom County for both mountain and road bikers to fulfill their recreational needs.

Starting with more rugged trails, the Chuckanut Mountain Park and Trail provide lovely views of Bellingham Bay and Mount Baker. The trail is made up of 8,000 acres of publicly owned land, providing riders with a nice distance to take in the great views of the surrounding region.

Chuckanut is located just south of Bellingham off Interstate 5 exit 250. Follow the road into Old Fairhaven and take a left on 12th Street. You will then follow Chuckanut Drive/SR11 for 1.5 miles to trailhead parking on the left side of the road.

On top of Chuckanut, riders can also enjoy the Squires Lake Trail, which is described as an easy to moderate 2.2mile ride. The trail offers a very easy loop trail, but also has a more adventurous trail into the Beaver Pond Ecosystem.

Squires is located off I-5 exit 242. After taking the exit, you will then drive nearly a mile east, where you will see signs for a parking area.

Last, but certainly not least, are the Galbraith Mountain trails. Galbraith prides itself on offering a variety of options to bikers of all skill levels. For cross-country riders, there are great options including the “Wonderland” and “Ridge Trail” loops. On top of trails, local trail builders have also added jumps and stunts that are well built and focus on flow. Galbraith is located off I-5 at the North Lake Samish exit (246). You then continue on Samish Way for around 100 feet, and parking is available on the other side of Samish Way in the Upper Lake Padden Park parking lot.

For riders looking for a

Whether you’re mountain biking or pleasure biking, grabbing views of natural beauty will be part of your experience. (Shawna Murphy/Lynden Tribune) more tranquil, free ride experience, there are several locations to visit. Starting off with the Interurban Trail, riders can enjoy 5.9 miles (each way) of trails that connect Fairhaven and Larrabee State Park.

The Interurban provides visitors with phenomenal views of the mountains and the San Juan Islands. The trails are located inside the Chuckanut

Trail System.

Another option for bikers is Hertz Trail. The trail begins with a gradual slope through forest area to the kiosk at the lakeshore. On the trail, you can also find information about the history of Lake Whatcom.

The trail follows the former railroad grade of Bellingham and the Eastern Railway along the north shores of Lake

Whatcom. Views are plentiful at Hertz Trail, with Lake Whatcom and waterfalls being the main attractions.

Pets are also welcome on the trails as long as they are on a leash at all times.

The trailhead is located near the end of North Shore Drive in Bellingham. Go east to the end of the road and look for signs for parking.

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