Archives for July 19, 2023

A morning stroll in this temperate climate is a treat. Texted my husband that hey, we could live here! With the WGA/SAG AFTRA on strike and Hollywood shut down, he could hang a Gone Fishin’ sign on his business and we could rent a place for a couple of months to see how we like it. Just putting it out there.
 
Hit up the Iron Rooster for croissants and two peach pies (our contribution to dinner at the fire station), dropped everything off at the Airb&b, and checked out Julia’s other community garden plot, which is dedicated to flowers; roses, dahlias, scabiosa, and bachelor buttons. A neighboring rooster was indignant we were so near his territory.

The ladies visited my favorite yarn store, Spin Cycle, where I picked up a skein of Twilight Honey and Robin picked out a mohair and DK wool in beautiful icy lavender that matches her puffy ski jacket. I can’t wait to knit her a classic beanie in this dreamy color (matching pompom not shown).

Next, we swung by Fanatik for a bike part for Parker and Robin scored a tee shirt with the Bellingham area bike trails on the back. So cool and in the true spirit of the place.

I went back for a rest while Robert checked out local flora (sunflowers) and fauna (ferret). I liked the sidewalk busker soundtrack.

Robin and Julia visited the local museum and found the top floor packed with enough taxidermied birds to satisfy Audubon, including an entire Hogwarts’ post office worth of owls.

Afterward, they checked out the vendor tents at the Northwest Tune-up mountain bike festival. Julia hung from handlebars, a stunt that qualified her for a drawing for a pricey piece of mountain bike gear. She also scored the best time for women entrants. if you think this is impressive, you should watch her scamper up sheer boulders.

Around 6 pm we rendezvoused for dinner at Fire Station 6 and took another station tour.

We took some family photos in the App Bay, which is the cleanest room you can imagine. Every inch of the vehicles gleamed. 

The captain was welcoming and hospitable, a genuinely nice man. We met the crew; all smart, skilled men who exuded decency.

They made the dinner, we brought the pie.

Last full day. Parker got off his 24-hour shift with four hours sleep (total). His way of dealing is to stay up and sleep hard the next night, and we rode out to see Hoag’s pond. So peaceful.  The water brims with an abundance of aquatic plants and rushes. There’s a soft rustle of wind through the leaves. A trio of ducks on the pond plish-plash, tails up and beak down. It’s a gentler kinder version of nature.

I have not missed the grind of construction, the constant growl of leafblowers, or the din of traffic that Atlanta serves up.

En route to lunch, Parker guided us to a protected nesting site for the great blue herons. Humans are safely sequestered at a distance that does not disturb the bird. It took me a minute, (blame it on cataracts) but once I saw the first giant nest, I kept finding more. The herons construct their nests high in the trees. It reminded me of a crow’s nest at the top of a ship’s mast. The herons swooped through the sky on the regular, with wingspans so wide I could see them even with my limited vision. Bringing back lunch from the nestlings, one hopes. 

It was thrilling.

Our next stop was seafood, too. Full disclosure, when I hear there’s a place that serves fish and chips on the waterfront, I picture a rackety shed, redolent of grease and fried fish with a salty tang. This place was all chrome and glass inside a large edifice of brick, a mini-mall interior for the tourists. It lacked atmosphere, but the fish and chips were okay, eaten outside on the pier.

We went back to the Northwest Tune-up vendor market of all things mountain biking. Parker scored this handlebar basket rig, ideal for transporting his dog Sammy.

Robin and I hit another yarn store. I needed a replacement for a dented circ needle and it’s always fun to look. Check out this piratical knitter’s Jolly Roger. Says it all, amirite?

Back at the AirB&B I napped before packing in preparation for tomorrow’s departure. Robin retired to a shady spot under an enormous tree behind the nearby Firehouse Café which boasts this awesome signage.

She took full advantage of the relaxed vibe.

Dinner was pizza from a joint a few blocks away, and at the end of the day, we drove up into the hills to watch the sundown over the bay. It didn’t disappoint.