Birdsview/Blue View

We covered about 200 miles / 322 km today, showing L and B some of our favorite places east of Bellingham.

Our first stop was the Birdsview Brewing Company, a microbrewery on the North Cascades Highway, not far from Concrete, Washington. With 11 beers on tap, it was hard to make a choice; I went with Blue Nooner, a blueberry-infused ale.

After beer and lunch, we headed further east to the North Cascades National Park, a magnificent area with high mountain peaks -- more than 9,200 feet / 2,806 meters -- as seen in this photo of Diablo Lake -- and more than 300 glaciers, making it the most heavily glaciated area in the United States after Alaska.

The five large rivers that run through the park, fed by streams that originate in steep mountains and glaciers, have a characteristic blue-green color in late summer. This striking hue is caused by the very fine rock particles, or "glacial flour," that cloud the water.

On Wednesday, B is going to play pickleball with Phil and his friends, and later he's going to make lentil soup for us for supper. L and I are going to explore Fairhaven, including Village Books, the Wednesday Farmers' Market, Taylor Dock and Boardwalk, and Boulevard Park. We're hoping for good weather!

(See Phil's view of the day here.)