Bellingham is a pretty town in the Northwest corner of the country. Fairhaven, where we’ll be staying, is a jewel of a village with wonderful bakeries and coffee shops, but that’s not what brings most people here. It’s the abundant natural beauty; the bay, the forests crisscrossed with bike trails, the opportunities for rock climbing and mountain climbing. The San Juan islands are a ferry ride away, and you can just about see Canada if you squint.
This is not my usual solo journey to foreign capitals to gorge my soul on art. This is a family-centric venture, traveling with my spouse and daughter to visit with my son and daughter-in-law who are Fairhaven residents. My son, who’s worked as an Alpine guide, is with the Bellingham Fire Department. Yes, he is absolutely a BFD.
We’ve got a family Google doc going, courtesy of my capable daughter who wrangles movie schedules for a living. We’ve plugged in the main events and locations. At the top of the list, we’re hoping to wander in the enchanted forest
as well as BFD station 6, Mt. Erie’s Squamish Bay overlook, Christianson’s Nursery, the community gardens, and maybe a yarn shop or two. There’s a wonderful boardwalk along the bay that’s just my speed, and I will gladly stand in line for Iron Rooster pastry.
Today I brought out my suitcase list, and have been sorting items by day rather than by type. The criteria for clothing shifted due to the expectation of outdoor activities. Nothing hardcore athletic for me, but not drifting along hallowed museum halls either.
There’ll be a bike festival in town, the Northwest Tune-Up, that’s music and mountain bike-themed. My son and daughter-in-law are devoted to all things athletic and outdoorsy and my fearless daughter bikes the traffic-clogged streets of Atlanta and they can partake with my blessing. I’ll be at the bakery.
I’m about 3/4ths packed. All boot-cut yoga pants, no jeans. Black and white. Layers. And I did something fun to my hair.
The weather forecast is fantastic, 50s-70s and blue skies. The flight is Wednesday. I fired up the apps I haven’t used since London – Delta, Uber, and AirB&B are all good to go, and so am I.