We have a plot in the community garden this year

This  year, since we were going to be here for most of the summer, we signed up to have a small (4’x4’) plot in the local community garden, right out the back gate from our condo complex.  What could be more convenient?

    Joan wanted peas and zucchini; Ron wanted tomatoes and beans.  Then people gave us onion starts and cabbage and Joan bought some flowers too.  Our tiny lot was stuffed!  But we’ve had fun with it and lots of fun interacting with the other gardeners.  When we’re gone, friends water it and also harvest!

   Next year, Joan wants to have two plots and grow lavender on one!

Worldmark Birch Bay Visit for Two Nights

Joan had read the reviews of this resort even after we had booked it, especially searching for how many place settings were in a studio unit.  We didn’t see much about studios and read so many negative comments in several review sites, including TUG.  What a great surprise then when we entered our unit and saw that it was very attractive, clean as can be, a full kitchen, balcony with a beautiful gas grill and we even had a side water view.  It looks like only 4 units have a full oceanfront view but many up front would have quite good views.  Granted we saw some units that overlooked even the trailer park in back of the resort…what a placement! .. but ours was lovely.  Also, the weather was unusually hot, and as there is no air-conditioning in the unit (normal historical weather in Western Washington did not require AC) so we could open the balcony door and get some cooler air into the unit. 

      So, what is a studio like?  As you enter, the large bathroom was first, then you walk into the living area which includes a FULL KITCHEN with service for 4 (full-sized DW,  garbage disposal, double Kohler sink, large microwave above the stove, full-sized refrigerator, bar height counter with two  chairs, and a very small round table with two chairs.  Living room furnishings were a wall-mounted flat screen TV with DVD player, Murphy bed, 2 short cabinets with 3 drawers total, coffee table,  couch (not hide-a-bed), large balcony windows, gas fireplace,  ceiling fan, and  with the ceiling track lights there was plenty of light.   There was a large closet with stacked washer and dryer. 

    For two of us, it was quite comfortable and actually felt large, and although there was not much space with the Murphy bed down, it was fine.  We moved the table in front of the Murphy bed during the day when we had friends over for lunch and then others for dinner, using the two balcony chairs for seating for four.

    There are two pools, an indoor-outdoor is close, between the two buildings, and then another smaller outdoor one is across the parking lot.  They were crowded almost all the time; very difficult to ever do laps. 

    Unit placement is rather awkward if you are in a different building from the lobby since you have to walk outside to get from one building to the other.  There are elevators, but their décor really needs to be upgraded; they do not introduce people well to the resort.  Check-in desk is in the rear building.  The sales office is the first building on the street so when you drive in, continue to the rear of the property, just before the trailer park.  The landscape is filled with annuals.

         We loved staying here; along the beach:  even though the resort is across the street from the beach, you still are right there.  There’s lots of activity in the area.  Shallow beach; we saw lots of people walking far out during low tide and wading otherwise.  Checkout isn’t until noon so that is even better!

   We had friends over for lunch on Saturday and then met up with TUGGERS  Ian and Ann for dinner in our unit as they drove in from Sea-Tac.  We had so much fun connecting with these friends.

The bathroom is large

Small balcony has a water view

Almost a full kitchen

Sunset along the beach when you walk across the street

Beach at sunset

Reflected clouds

Ready for friends, we added balcony chairs to seat 4

Looking across the Border into Canada (B.C.)

As we drove down Mt Baker through Sumas, the border crossing, on the way to Worldmark Birch Bay, we saw this mountain over the border.  So easy to see over in Canada!

In front of us are acres and acres of raspberry fields!  There used to be more dairy farms here; then they were changed into raspberry fields.  Turns out that Whatcom County produces 77% of the raspberries in the state and Washington State produces 59% of the raspberries grown in the US.  Who knew?

  And this road to the right of us – that‘s in Canada too – no fence, just a grassy ditch.   ….hmmmm, I don’t see an official border crossing. 

But…. our friends who live there told us that if you do try to cross here      , the authorities will be informed and you will be picked up…quickly.

We went up the mountain today (Mt Baker)

We can only go to 4,700 feet, the Mt Baker Ski Area and it is about 20 miles up SR 542 form the resort.   Mt Baker is 10,700 feet high and known for getting more snow than most places in the USA, so skiing is great.  We walked about 3 miles total on 2 trails and took so many pictures. 

    There was only a tiny bit of snow.  Last year, on the 4^th of July, someone who was here then, said the snow was over 6 feet and covering  the buildings.  That’s normal.  This year was a lot warmer, so it was nice in that we were able to walk easily on the trails.  

 

Mt Baker from the road - note wires

Mt Shuksan  (The mountains are side by side..see if you can always identify which is which)

Other peaks across the valley

Here's what you see at the Ski Area  - as well as Mt Bakert and Shuksan, you'll see those pics here also.  You are surrounded by beautiful vistas.

The lake at the bottom of the mountain above

How the lava hardened, very interesting:  geometric!

This is natural

Shuksan hits you in  the face as you turn a corner!  Look out!

Climbing the trails, the mountain is there!  Everywhere!

This is all the snow we saw.

A beautiful lake in the distance

Joan likes to frame views with the trees

The trail - and everywhere you look, there are mountains.

When we started on the trail, Mr Baker was covered with clouds.  We watched as the clouds moved across her face.

Not so many clouds, finally!

Shuksan again from the top of the trail

Our road below

There's our road down

Going down and there is the mountain again, right in front of you!

Ski lifts are not operating now, of course, but here's the "Expert!"

Straight up the mountain

An easier lift

 Mt Shuksan’ s Reflection 

       Many famous pictures of this mountain reflected in the lake from the pull-out on the side of the road, but unfortunately, there was a wind with ripples, but it still takes a pretty picture!

  Got back to the resort at 5, Joan had spaghetti ready by 5:30 then sat on the balcony to hear the river.  The weather is perfect.  

Back to our resort - here's the driveway