Washington
BY HIGHWAY
One of the most beautiful states in our great country, Take the time this year. You may decide to make a driving trip to see, “from sea to shining sea.”
BY AIR
You may want to travel by air to save time and money due to high gas prices. Horizon Air has service into Bellingham International Airport.
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) is the major airport just 120 miles south of Bellingham (convention location). All the rental car companies are located at the airport and convenient for all to use. They all provide good directions to Interstate 5 to come north to Bellingham.
I can assure you that all major carriers serve the Pacific Northwest at SeaTac Airport. I encourage you to make reservations early since there are generally a number of conventions going on in the northwest at all times of the year. If you have a computer check out www.cheaptickets.com I have found very good cost savings by using their service. Start early as the rates go up the closer you get to a travel date.
Driving to the 2008 Convention can be a pleasant opportunity to become acquainted with the western part of the United States. You will find I-5 serving north/south routes and I-90 serving east west routes. They come together in Seattle and you then need to come north to Bellingham.
BY TRAIN
There is AMTRAK Service along the west coast. It is connected in Portland to lines that go south into California and east to Chicago. Check with your local travel agent for assistance.
The northwest has several mountains of note. Mount Baker (10,700feet) is located just fifty miles east of the Convention site; some of the most spectacular views of the Mountain are from Ferndale, at Hovander Park, where we will gather for the Memorial Service on Saturday. We will enjoy a picnic lunch at the conclusion of the service.
We will then visit Ferndale Pioneer Park in the afternoon to visit the home of the largest collection of hand split western red cedar log cabins/homes in the country. The park and cabins will have Ferndale Heritage Society Members in period costume, to answer your questions and provide you with information about the early days in Ferndale.
Other mountains in western Washington of note are Mount Rainier (14,410 feet) Mount St. Helens (8366 feet) was a good deal taller until it blew its top in 1980. The State and our County (Whatcom County) has become known for the wines produced here. The warm days and cool nights produce some of the finest wines in the Country. The State is divided by the Cascade Mountain Range running north and south from northern California into British Columbia in the north.
To the north of our County is Canada and a vibrant growing part of Canada, the City of Vancouver, B.C. If you plan on a visit to Canada be sure to have a pass port since the border will require you to have one in your position if you cross back into the U.S.
Ferndale celebrated their Centennial in 2007 and welcome all, to their Community as guests and friends, with open arms and pleasant attitudes. The community is built on the banks of the Nooksack River which divides the Community and provides the source of community water service. The recently completed river walk provides a gathering place for the citizens to meet and greet their neighbors, space for public art and Farmers Market.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Places to see and visit in Bellingham include the City Museum, in the Central Business area of the City, it was the early City hall built on a bluff overlooking Bellingham Bay. A Radio Museum is available that chronicles the history of early radio in our Country; this is without a doubt a special museum. Visit a unique and quaint shopping area of Bellingham known as Fairhaven, an older part of the City and one of three early Communities that were joined to become Bellingham. Be sure to visit the Village Green and have a desert from the Fairhaven Book Store.
