Fraser River Heritage Park

Some of today's group at Fraser River Heritage Park

On a day between rain, 25 Happy Wanderers went all the way into British Columbia to visit the Fraser River Heritage Park, a beautiful place about an hour's drive from Bellingham. There is the problem of getting across the border, but we had no problem and no wait passing through the Sumas crossing. You can see that there were quite a few dark clouds overhead, but we had little rain until we got back to outr cars. I think we are quite lucky on the rain front. 

It had rained quite a lot recently, and you could see lots of standing water and wet leaves on the trails. We decided to take a leisurely trip around the grounds, and then most of us went up the Heritage Mountain Loop, although once we got to the top, we turned around and returned the way we had come. All in all, we covered more than five miles, maybe closer to six. 

Bill, today's leader mapping our route

We did enjoy a quick lunch at the summit, but the views were limited and since we returned the same way we ascended the mountain, we saw a few great vistas, but mostly it was traversing the wet trail as we climbed around 700 feet of elevation.

Great view of the Fraser River

I knew that there was quite a bit of controversy over the Mission school that was located on the property, so I looked up a little of the history, which is available at this link. I knew a small amount of information about what happened at these schools before, but I found this quite interesting and informative.

Interpretive signs were installed in the park prior to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The original interpretive signs were removed by the District of Mission as they did not adequately reflect the story of St. Mary’s or our deeper understanding of the long-term impacts of the residential school system enacted by the Government of Canada. A small group of First Nations representatives are engaging with the City of Mission and have commenced discussions to develop new signs or interpretive elements to further educate the community and reflect on the devastating impact of the residential school systems and the long-term harm caused to so many.

Frasier River and me

I had a great time and got a good workout as well, and I learned about a new place I had never been before. We climbed down from the mountain and made our way back to our cars, and then home in the United States. It was very restorative to be in another country, even if only for a day. I'm feeling quite happy right now, knowing how fortunate I am to have such good friends in such a great place to live. 

:-)

Semiahmoo Spit

Today's Happy Wanderers

You may count seventeen of us who traveled today to the Semiahmoo Park for a nice five- or six-mile walk in delightful mostly sunny weather. We did have a few sprinkles at the beginning, but they cleared, for the most part, giving us plenty of sunbreaks. I had never visited this part of Whatcom County before, which is located in Birch Bay, just across the Semiahmoo Bay from White Rock, Canada. The name, Semiahmoo, belongs to a Salish Sea subgroup of indigenous peoples, the Semiahmoo First Nation. I have grown accustomed to the strange names of several of the tribes, but this one is a new one for me. The local Chamber of Commerce offered some information:

The Semiahmoo county park offers one of the best paved walking trails in Whatcom county. The trails runs from the park entrance all the way to the end of the spit of land and the marina/resort. The park has vast stretches of beach on both Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park and a bird viewing station with scope.

Our leader today, Don, volunteers time at the cannery museum, which offers a look back in time to when Semiahmoo was busy processing and packing salmon from Alaska. Don spends a fair amount of time in the area, and he showed us the interesting area today and gave us a special tour of the museum as well.

Looking across the bay at White Rock

We spent some time walking along the beach at the spit but the tide was high, so we found a place a bit off the beach that was easier walking. We were enjoying ourselves, not walking very fast or caring much about getting our heart rates up, but still it was delightful.

A handy sign that explains the area

There was much to see and enjoy before we reached the end of the marina and started our trip back, this time on the road, which was much easier walking. But first, a quick look at White Rock in Canada from our vantage point.

The large downtown building in sunlight

The Semiahmoo are both Canadian and American by birth, and I am not at all sure how that works, but I think I'll be coming back to this area again, and hopefully I will have a chance to learn more about the area and its people.

Our group again, this time with me in the photo

As we made our way back to the beginning of our excursion, I saw a couple of eagles sitting on a branch, making themselves look a bit like a heart, so I figured that might be a good way to finish the post. Do you see it?

Eagle love

And I could go on and on, but for now that's enough. I hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did.

:-)

Barkley to Big Rock Garden

Terry and sculpture named "Hope"

Today fourteen Senior Trailblazers gathered to walk around five or six miles from Barkley Village to the Big Rock Garden and return. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful sculpture garden, with so many wonderful trees and bushes from all over the world to enjoy as well. We were last here in the spring, and today we saw beautiful maple leaves turning every possible color.

Brilliant maple

We all expected rain to keep us from completing the entire walk, but we were graced instead with dry weather and mild temperatures. We walked up and down around a thousand feet in our six miles, but it wasn't difficult and seemed quite perfect, actually, as we chatted and enjoyed the scenery as well as the company.

The group, plus me behind the camera

Here we all are, having a wonderful time in the beautiful lush environment of our trail, and at this time we are all nice and dry and happy to be out and about. By the time we started back towards our starting point, we felt a few sprinkles, but nothing much. However, just like last week, by the time we got to the cars, there was more rain coming down, making me wonder if we are just lucky or if somebody Up There is looking out for us. Whatever the reason for our dry walk, I'll take it! We enjoyed being out and about for yet another beautiful day in Bellingham.

:-)

Lovely day on Hertz/Connector trail

Today's Happy Wanderers

Only seven Happy Wanderers showed up today, when our original hike was changed because of construction, and instead we headed over to the Hertz trail and took a rather challenging trip up the Connector trail to the new overlook and back. The entire trip was somewhere over six and under seven miles, but there is quite a bit of elevation gain in a short distance.

Mushrooms along the trail

One of our hikers was happy to see these mushrooms, which she decided to harvest on the way back down. And she did indeed do that. Most of us are afraid of wild mushrooms, but not Leann. She loves these parasol mushrooms and never misses a chance to take them home.

The new connector trail beginning

We hiked for two miles along the Hertz trail, until we came to this connector trail, which most of us have been on before. It goes up to the Chanterelle trail, making an 11-mile loop now available to those of us who enjoy these trails. 

On the stairs

One of the interesting features of this new trail is a series of 347 steps taking us up, ever up, towards the overlook. A passerby took this of the group on the way up to the overlook. We did count the steps, and once before I got this total, so I think it might be accurate. I know my legs felt a little bit stressed by the time we got to the overlook.

At the top of the steps, our leader Persis

We walked the .1 mile to the overlook, and enjoyed a quick early lunch while we rested before beginning our descent. I got this wonderful photo of Whatcom Lake below us.

A glorious view

One of the reasons we didn't have more takers for today's hike was, I believe, that the day was supposed to bring a fair amount of rain. However, we didn't have so much as a raindrop as we went on our out-and-back excursion.

We even saw a bit of filtered sun

However, once we reached the cars and piled in for our return trip home, the rain began, first as a sprinkle, and then before we got to the Senior Center, a deluge. Once again, we lucked completely out with the rain. I am sorry we didn't have a larger group, but for my part it was simply perfect. I was very glad I went out with the Trailblazers today.

;-)

Hovander Park in Ferndale

Some of today's large group

On a day when it was projected to rain in the afternoon but be mostly dry in the morning, 25 Happy Wanderers met at the Hovander Homestead Park main entrance to walk around the flat area of almost 350 acres.

I had been here before, with my friend Melanie, but today we were treated to an in-depth explanation of the history of the area. Terry (in yellow jacket) lived on the farm for seven years with her now-deceased husband. She was able to tell us what it was like to be there year-round, and some amusing anecdotes as we passed by different stations on the farm. From that link above:

Hovander Homestead Park preserves the rich history of pioneer farming and offers recreational opportunities for all ages in every season. The park encompasses nearly 350 acres, including over a mile of river frontage. Accessible sidewalks provide access to the historic Hovander House, playground, restrooms, Group Picnic Shelter, and the Hovander River Trail.

We walked from the red barn house, out into places that once were populated with farm animals. But today we saw some geese and chickens but not much else. We walked along the trails from the big barn to Hovander House, where we had access to a tower, fragrance gardens, and a look inside what was once a schoolhouse.

From the top of the tower

Most of us climbed the fifty-foot tower to get a view of the surrounding area, including Tennant Lake and the wetlands, and in the distance we could see Mt Baker as well.

Outside the fragrance garden

We walked along the boardwalk that snakes its way through the wetlands, and Terry told us of many times she walked on those narrow planks when they were wet and treacherous. We were very lucky that the rain stayed away.

Vietnam Memorial

Terry showed us the Vietnam Memorial in the park, with the names of all the Whatcom County heroes who died in that war. It's almost along the Nooksack River, so we did walk down to the water's edge and saw a few people fishing, and one person who caught a large fish, maybe a salmon.

Wandering through the dahlias

Many of us wandered over to the extensive dahlia gardens, where dahlias of every size and shape are in magnificent display, since this is the time when they are blooming. I was mesmerized by the beautiful flowers, those pretty fall flowers, and I confess I took way too many photos of them.

A favorite variety

Before we left, Terry pointed out a place where the high-water marks are displayed from two earlier floods, one in 2021 and one in 2009. She was living on the premises during the earlier flood, and you can certainly get an idea of what the area must have been like during that time.

Those high-water marks are scary!

It was a truly wonderful way to spend our Tuesday morning, and we managed to keep from getting wet, but it was iffy. You could feel a change in the air temperature, and a few drops fell before we made our way back to our various cars. Some people stayed a little longer, but I was still feeling the effects of my bout with covid and was glad to head back home. We walked around four miles, maybe a little more, but I was ready to get home without using my raincoat. Another lovely walk with the Happy Wanderers.

:-)