Outdoors - Explore

POSTED: Wednesday, Mar. 25, 2009

Take time for these 30-minute adventures

With springtime here, you're itching to get outside, even if it's for a shot of fresh air, the smell of the woods and a blast of exercise. With your busy lifestyle here are some easy, accessible activities and places to keep you active amid the chaos.

Stimpson Family Nature Reserve

Take the shorter Geneva Pond Loop Trail (1.2 miles) for a fairly easy walk with a few gradual ups and downs. It's family-friendly and easy enough for kids, but dogs are not allowed because the reserve is home to a variety of wildlife. You may see beavers, deer, cougars, and even come upon bullfrogs and slugs.

The reserve is flush with a wide variety of plants too. It's wheelchair- accessible from the trailhead to the viewpoint.

Stimpson is a favorite getaway for Jonny Lane, co-owner of Dandelion Organic Delivery.

"When I do our deliveries to Sudden Valley I always stop at the reserve for a quick walk in the woods on the way home," he said. "The trail is well maintained and in good shape with just a little mud in the wet months."

Keep an eye (and ear) out for owls seasonally, he suggests. There's a larger Main Loop Trail (2.8 miles), which meanders past two ponds and is home to big Douglas Fir.

Directions: Take Lakeway Drive east 3.4 miles to Lake Louise Road (Austin Road.). Turn right, go 1.6 miles to the boulder-lined gravel parking lot on left. Or take WTA bus Route 512, to the Stimpson Nature Reserve stop. No pets, no bikes.

More information: www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/trails/stimpson.jsp

Railroad Trail across Alabama Pedestrian Bridge

For a gentle gravel trail that begins in Sunnyland, try the Railroad Trail by bike. For a special treat, keep going until you reach the pedestrian walkway bridge over Alabama Street.

Teri Shipman takes this route to her job as a sonographer at St. Joseph's Hospital.

"It's so beautiful to go across (the bridge) to get that quick glimpse of the Bay, especially when it's sunset," she said. "It's a real friendly trail for walkers and joggers and bikers, and it's non-technical, which is good for bicyclists with kids."

It's a little more than 11/2 miles from Memorial Park at King Street to the pedestrian bridge at Alabama. Make a stop at Highland Heights, a postage stamp park at Vining and Maryland streets in the northern section of the neighborhood. Keep going and make your way to Scudder's Pond at Bloedel Donovan Park, where you can check out wildlife and see marsh birds.

Directions: Trail starting from Memorial Park behind Sunnyland Elementary to Bloedel Donovan Park (3.2 miles). Trails break out into Whatcom Falls Park with many access points from neighborhood streets. Or teak WTA bus Routes 9, 331, 540, or 541.

More information: www.cob.org/documents/parks/parks-trails/trail-guide/bellingham_trail_guide.pdf

Barkley Trail

With a mound of errands, grabbing fresh air and a power walk might make the bottom of your To Do list. Combine your goals for the day by taking the so-called Barkley Trail, a smidgen of a trail, less than a half mile, that provides a walkable commute to some of Bellingham's shopping plazas.

Don't confuse it with the nearby Railroad Trail, which the city has plans to link with in the near future.

"(Barkley Trail) is a great neighborhood connector to get to Sunset Square or the post office," said Leslie Bryson, design and development manager with the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.

Barkley Trail, which is not yet officially named, is situated between Orleans Street and West Barkley Boulevard.

"People in Bellingham love the trails," Bryson said.

Bellingham resident, James Yates, 39, is a diehard trail lover who looks forward to exchanging greetings with fellow runners and walkers.

"Our fine city is to be applauded for its wonderful trail system," he said.

Directions: Pick up the trail at Orleans Street, just south of the post office, or at Racine Street and West Barkley Boulevard.

Visit a farm stand or local orchard

A quick ride out in the county gets you to a slew of farm stands.

Thanks to the region's rich climate, you'll see "just about everything" from strawberries, carrots, potatoes, apricots, onions, raspberries and flowers, according to Cheryl DeHaan, community education program manager for Whatcom Farm Friends, a nonprofit in Lynden which helps preserve Whatcom County agriculture..

"It's an awesome idea to put together a bike or car tour," DeHaan said. "Go out in the peak season."

First, pick up a free Whatcom Farm Map and Guide, or download one from the Web, and create a route. Try Ten Mile Road off Guide Meridian, where you can get apples and cider at BelleWood Acres, then head over to the Misty Meadows Farm stand on Everson-Goshen Road. Another route is Boxx Berry Farm on Northwest Road in Ferndale. Park your vehicle, hop on bicycles and tour that way. The road is bike friendly with a wide shoulder. You'll see a variety of produce available at roadside stands. For berry lovers, check out McPhail's Berry Farm in Lynden.

Look for the new Farm Friends brochure/map, updated with a guide to eating local. Free copies are available throughout Whatcom County, including at Sustainable Connections, the Community Food Co-op and Farm Friends office.

More information: www.wcfarmfriends.com/posted/1579/Farm_Map_for_web2008.205562.pdf

Hovander Homestead Park

A quick ride to Ferndale brings you to this historic park for a spectacular view of Mount Baker. Get your heart rate up by climbing the observation tower. The kids will have fun feeding the chickens, rabbits and goats. A coin-vended feeder is on the premises. Otherwise, there is no fee to roam the grounds, except for reserved areas like the picnic shelter.

Let your dog off leash, but be sure it's in a designated area. With more than five miles of trails and acres of grassy fields, bring a soccer ball or play volleyball.

"The park itself is a pretty popular place to watch the sunset and Mount Baker," Whatcom County Parks and Recreation director Mike McFarlane said. "That's a quick trip out there. There are several miles of trails in different locations so you don't have to go to one trailhead.

"Hovander gives you some history of the county and showcases the beauty here with scenic vistas of Mount Baker and Tennant Lake."

Also bring your camera to snap a photo of the peacocks.

Directions: Take Interstate 5 to Ferndale Exit (262), go west to the railroad underpass, immediately turn left and follow signs to the park.

Web: www.whatcomcounty.us/parks/hovander/map.jsp