During the past six months, I had the opportunity on two separate occasions to travel to Bellingham, Washington, with my youngest daughter, Lara, who just returned from two years in Togo with the Peace Corps. She was offered employment there and so we went together to go apartment hunting, along with her Aunt Kathy. I returned at Christmas because this old mother did not want her to have a third Christmas in a row without family.
I love the Pacific Northwest! It is beautiful and the weather not as extreme as I am now experiencing in Wisconsin. The Cascade Mountains, Mt. Baker specifically, and the trees and plants are just a sight to behold! Beauty beyond description!
“Mt. Baker” Photo Credit: Jane H. Johann, c.October, 2015. Taken from “Artist’s Point” on the slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range.
The people are warm and friendly in Bellingham. The city has a small town atmosphere and I felt very comfortable ambling through the streets during the day, while Lara was at work. I think I averaged three to four miles a day, walking through the city and taking in so many different expressions of life. I was careful not to walk to far West! A far cry from the quiet soybean and cornfields that surround me here in southeastern Wisconsin.
Lara’s apartment is just two blocks from the view of Bellingham Bay as seen in the enclosed photo in this writing piece. It is also only a half block from the several train tracks.
“Trains of Bellingham” Photo Credit: Jane H. Johann.c.2016, January.
The first night, after my 26 hour journey (who knew it would take that long from Wisconsin~ another story!) to Bellingham, I fell asleep very quickly, only to be startled awake at 11 PM with a train running over me! Or, so I thought! Then there was another at midnight and so on, until 3 AM. It was an adjustment, but I did get there by the end of the month and quickly learned not to complain about the noise of the trains to Bellingham residents. They take pride in living close to the tracks and the trains hold a deep connection to them — I am not quite sure what that is yet–will let you all know once I figure it out. However, the trains are delightful to see and appreciate–especially the art work on the various freight cars.
“Art on the Rails” Bellingham, WA, USA. Photo Credit: . Jane H. Johann, Jan. 2016
Everyday I found something new to appreciate in the city of Bellingham.
Footprints of Thoughts 
As a graduate of Washington State University and Central Washington I too like Bellingham (and so many other places in Washington State) and as someone who now lives about as far away from Washington as I can (Georgia) I not only agree with your well-written post but miss Washington State. I enjoy living in Georgia because of it’s people.
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Good Morning, Kevin~
I was happy that you enjoyed my post about Bellingham–especially, since you are a Washingtonian native! How special is that! I have never been to Georgia. When I was in my early 20’s, I saw this movie,”Macon County Line,” and it thoroughly frightened me and I think it is one of the reasons I have never ventured very far into the south. LOL Glad to hear a Washingtonian likes Georgia and the people are kind to you! Maybe one day I will get to Georgia to see for myself. Have a great HEART day! It is Valentine’s Day! Thank you for stopping by and for your wonderful comment!
Jane
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I loved Bellingham. I seriously wanted that church, candidated, however, they had already decided on a guy before they even interviewed me. Apparently they were told by “the mother ship” that they had to interview more than one candidate. I really loved the place, so I can see why you feel in love with it. It is the ‘banana belt’ of the Pacific N.W. I don’t understand all the factors that make it so, but it is in an area that is not hit nearly as hard with cold and snow as it’s neighbors to the north and to the south. And, I am still glad to have you home.You blog is lovely to read and to see.Hugs, MariG
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dear Mari~
I am glad you know Bellingham..and you understand my attraction to it. I suppose it is also a place to escape my reality for a bit. Someone said to me, “Jane, you are were you are for a reason.” Well, I feel it is unknown to me what that reason is…but I am going with it for the moment! LOL Thank you for your visits to my blog and always, for your welcoming words and welcoming me home! I know I will see you in March!
Love and hugs, Jane
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Bellingham is a beautiful city!! I love trains and was reminded of this when I read your post; “My heart is warm with the friends I make,
And better friends I’ll not be knowing,
Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take,
No matter where it’s going.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay, The Selected Poetry
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lovely! Happy Heart Day, Rebecca!
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Jane, This is so nice to read .. sounds like a very happy time for you being with your daughter,and in another state . Seeing beauty in other placesis good and such a beautiful world we all live in . So nicely written, Jeannie
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Thank you, Jeannie! Yes, it was a wonderful experience and a happy place to be! I am glad you enjoyed the read. I sent you an email yesterday. Hope you received it. Later, gator!
Jane
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Beautiful Cascade Mountain range! 🙂
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Indeed! It is very beautiful!
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It’s is truly amazing all there is to see, that goes unnoticed by most, that if they could see the beauty hidden all around how happy they would be.
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True, Debbie…I too have to keep my eyes and heart open!
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