Monday Morning Meander

I did a photo ramble downtown before my exercise class at the Y this morning -- much more fun than walking on a treadmill for half an hour, although the exercise benefits are less -- and offer you a mini-tour of downtown Bellingham today.

These furled umbrellas for the tables outside the Lightcatcher building of the Whatcom Museum, one of the jewels of this small city, seemed to be waiting for the sun to shine. Good luck with that this week, given the weather forecast! (Click on the link to see the Lightcatcher in full glory -- it's among the rotating images on the museum's home page).

Here's a wider view of the courtyard, with Bellingham's highest building (14 stories) looming in the distance. One block away is the historic Avalon Apartments building, just two stories high, and much more appealing than the usual characterless apartment buildings.

Also nearby are two of our favorite places to eat, right next to each other -- Mount Bakery, featuring Belgian desserts, crepes, wonderful breakfast items, and outstanding soups and sandwiches, and The Temple Bar, offering great drinks, cheese/charcuterie/Mediterranean plates, and much more.

And just to prove that Bellingham has a grittier side, here's an alley view. That said, I bet there would be some blip possibilities there!