Bellwether Hotel, Bellingham and My Birthday

My birthday this year is really special to me. It’s a culmination of a life time of work. I’ve always looked forward to this time with anticipation.  I never really thought to retire but I thought that this year would mean I’d really done my duty.  I felt when I became a physician I had a responsibility to use my training. I’d taken a limited space and felt that I had made a covenant with my community to serve.  Now I feel like I still want to serve, at least another five years or so but it’s a different sort of relationship.  I’ve done my time.  

I’ve always been self employed. I regret now in some ways that I didn’t work for the money or focus more on my self.  I could now be having more options but I’d not feel the way I have, that feeling of being  of service. I wanted to be a missionary doctor but I also wanted to pay my way.  I took Dr. Jack Hildes suggestion to work in the areas of ‘greatest need’. 

I’d bought myself a 2017 Ford F350 Lariat edition 4x4 crew cab and long box white truck, trading in my 2007 Ford F350 Harley Davidson edition. It was a gift to myself and served to anchor me. I wanted to just keep on working and this would keep me working to pay off the debt.  An anchor of sorts.  So often dealing with the bureaucracy I really want to run away to sea again.  In a few years but not right now. Gilbert loves the truck and a trip down to Bellingham would give Laura a chance not only to see it but to also appreciate it’s spectacularly smooth rise.  The sound system with Hillsong and Amy Grant is spectacular.  

Bellwether Hotel was another gift to myself.  Laura and I had not seen each other for a couple of weekends. She’s been working weekends as I have been.  We both live in tiny places and a weekend at a hotel gives us the reprieve from our own claustrophobic quarters.  

A Bellwether Hotel weekend was an oasis to work towards.  I’ve been literally exhausted each night falling asleep sometimes at 7 and other times waking with nightmares in the wee hours of the night.  I’ve needed the breaks to just survive the stress of work right now..

Laura and I enjoyed the drive down to the States with the magnificent little one eyed pirate of a dog.. Gilbert.   He seems to be adjusting better to his loss of sight and need to sit still three times a day while I give him drops for his glaucoma’

We had no difficulties crossing the border.  The American’s were inviting. Probably after all the nonsense of Canadian leftist liberals being stopped after arrogantly telling the American border crossing guards that they  want to go to the US to protest their president and start riots they were glad to have us.

"Where are you going?"

"The Bellwether Hotel in Bellingham."

“What is the purpose of your visit"

“We’re going down for the weekend to celebrate my birthday”.

“Well, have a great birthday."

“Thank you sir.” 

The Navigation System on the truck was awesome. it was dark and raining and we really would have missed a turn were it not for the clear directions. The navigation actually shows up not just on the central screen but also on the dash view directly in front of me where speed and gas usage are recorded. This is so incredibly safe.  I didn’t have to look away from the road once.

The staff at Bellwether were delighted to see us.  Lovely ladies. I left Laura and Gilbert and the luggage in the lobby  to drive off and park the monster truck. They have free underground parking but my truck is too big for that. .  There was parking nearby though and no problems all weekend.

The rooms were fabulous. So elegant. Spring and autumn colours.  Subdured. Luxurious. A balcony looking over the marina.  A fireplace.  Huge tv and huge king sized bed.  The whirlpub tub put Laurain heaven. I like a shower myself.  But we’d use every bit of the room by the time the weekend was done. I had reports to write and papers to read, a half dozen hours of work which I did either at the desk on my lap top or sitting on the balcony or in the soft lounging chair where I read.  They had a mat set out for Gilbert and food and water bowls.  He loved his stay.

We had room service dinner from their extraordinary kitchen. I can’t recall how long it’s been since I had such an awesome filet mignon. it literally melted in my mouth.  We loved everything about the meal.   It was a Mel Gibson weekend.  We love Mel Gibson.  These were the ones where he plays a cop with Glover.  The next day we had a delicious turkey bacon sandwiches with perfect fries for lunch.

Each day I walked Gilbert around the sea wall. It’s a great walk. Gilbert loved the lawns and bushes. Heather was already blooming.  A friend told us they loved Anthony’s restaurant nearby. I saw it but we were happy eating in the hotel room with Gilbert.  I really  enjoy the decadence of room service.  Giuseppe’s was another restaurant I saw.. There were several others all within walking distance. The area is  it’s a popular uptown sea side place. a bit like Granville Island,  right inside Bellingham on Bellington Bay..  

Laura had a cold too, cough and sniffles, so she really enjoyed the down time.

We did get out for a drive in my new Ford F350 Lariat Edition Truck. The sun had come out on the Saturday.  Lovely cloud formations but lots of blue sky.  We drove the Chuckunut Road , winding along the coast.  In the truck I thought how our drives in the Miata and on the Harley had been more suited to the narrow lane. With the sun roof drawn back, Gordon Lightfoot playing on the sound system,   it still was a delightful drive with the most beautiful views of forest and sea.   Laura got to enjoy them more because I really did have to pay attention to the road.  The daffodils in the fields beyond hadn’t blossomed but in weeks they and the tulips will be shouting spring.  I took the highway back as sleet began.  We were listening to the latest Paul Simon on the highway.  New York sounds that reminded us of our recent trip there. .  Back in the room se actually ordered a pizza which was perfect too.   A  pizza was what I really wanted and it was my birthday. .

I really felt that this weekend was just what the doctor ordered.  A special day and a reprieve from the excessive stress of office moves,January and February psychiatry. and the  fentanyl overdose deaths. It’s all  taking it’s  toll.  I feel like I’m working on the ‘front’.  The sad part is the enemy is oneself, and the drug dealer. 

Sunday morning I was up early and walked Gilbert. They had delicious coffee each morning in the lobby and in the afternoon ice cold lemon water.  There were all these thoughtful details at the Bellwether and the staff were always so caring.   

Laura is a beautiful companion too.. Even with her cold I enjoyed her presence.  Gilbert and I think the world of her.  We chat about the most inconsequential matters.  It’s just comfortable to be together. She spoils Gilbert with doggie massages and treats. 

All too soon we were packing up and on our way.  A snowstorm had hit the north while we were enjoying balmy weather by the sea.  Stopping at Gilbert’s favourite restaurant we got cheese burgers to eat on the ride north.

 I actually thought of not writing about Bellwether because it really is the sort of perfect little place you want to keep a secret.  It really is  like a great little fishing hole. Such a place for catch after catch after catch!

The staff at Bellwether made my birthday weekend unforgettable.  Laura and I had a wonderful time. Gilbert was so happy but he’s always so happy and especially happy when Laura and I are together.

At the border the agent was vigilant.  Justin Trudeau is encouraging terrorists to see Canada as their new safe house so I rather liked that the custom’s agent at least  was alert.

I dropped Laura off at her place, big fluffy snow flakes adding to the inch or so of snow already on the ground. Gilbert and I were sad to leave her.  Now we can’t wait till we get back together again.  

Thank you Jesus for this birthday and such a lovely hotel as the Bellwether. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bellingham, Washington, USA

I love Bellingham. I’ve been driving down for decades.  I pass through it on the way from Vancouver to Seattle and often just go to Bellingham itself.  A great destination on the Harley motorcycle.  This weekend we’ve been in my black Miata MX5 2 seater sportscar.
I just love crossing the border and being in a different country. I’m on call 24/7 and though it’s mostly only urgent  calls I can handle over the phone, it’s still only when I’m out of British Columbia I truly relax.  When Laura and I were in Dublin I received a call at 3 in the morning wanting me to come in person to an emergency.  I loved being able to say I wasn’t able to as I was in Dublin.  I knew that everyone would be able to handle the matter without me anyway.
This trip was a compromise.  Given the Canadian dollar was only 70 cents I decided against going to Seattle arguing that just crossing the border and spending a couple of nights in Bellingham would be a saving.  The fact is, it’s far easier to spend Canadian money in Seattle.  Just the cost of hotel’s in Bellingham is a third less.
Best Western Plus is where we’ve stayed before. It’s by Bellis Fair.  Nice dog friendly 3 star hotel. I like Best Westerns. I’ve stayed in them all over the world and have never been disappointed. Maybe they’re a bit more than a Super 8 which is also dog friendly but I like the extras.  This one had a hot tub and the Best Western breakfast, neither of which we used, but we could have. The dog walk along the stream though is perfect.  It was right outside our door and Gilbert and I and Gilbert and Laura enjoyed many strolls there.
Laura loved the room.  She’s a regular Howard Hughes when it comes to hotels and hotel baths and the daily cleaning service.  After checking in, I left Laura and Gilbert in the deluxe room, going off to get myself a hair cut.  With only a half hour delay at Peace Arch border crossing,  it had been a lovely drive down to Bellingham.
I was going to get Laura some perfume for early Valentine’s Day but she decided on shoes and a purse in the designer discount store, Marshalls.  Later we found out her retro purse is a Steve Madden, the male equivalent of Martha Stewart.  A couple of white collar jailbirds caught for money frauds.  
I'd emailed ahead to St. Paul’s Presbyterian to find out if they accepted Gilbert the therapy dog in church. I told them he’d been blessed by the Bishop in Vancouver and was a member at St. James Anglican.  But no. Dogs were not welcome.  So in keeping with my belief that I’ll not go to heaven  if they don’t accept dogs, I felt I’d done my bit.  I’d tried.  God knew.
There are ‘dog friendly’ hotel listings but so far the churches haven’t caught on.  So Laura, Gilbert and I went to the park along the Bay.  There’s a crane sanctuary and a wondrous off lease run.  Gilbert, whose back has been healing since last fall, got to run free. I’ve literally restrained his motion only allowing him off leash for short walks.  Today I wanted to see how well he was recovering.  It was a blessed sight to see. He ran and jumped just like he does with his  cockapoo cousin Eva.  He may still have trouble climbing still he’s a regular rocket again on the flat.  He also played with a big dog and a little bossy Yorkie. That was worth the trip, to see Gilbert running and playing. Slept on the King sized bed with us.
One night we had pizza and caesar salads and read books in the room.  Another night  I went out and got us  Macdonald’s Burgers and Fries. It’s Gilbert’s favourite and he deserved a reward. So Laura and I and Gilbert ate together on the king sized bed watching Tom Select in Blue Bloods on the big screen tv.
We’ d planned to stop at the Harley store but they were closed so we’re now heading back leisurely.  We’re at the Macdonald’s having egg mcmuffins.  Laura’s checking her Facebook and I’m uploading photos we took while here.
The US primaries continue.  The Muslim migrants remain news with eerie denial by leftist politicians about their potential for terrorist acts feeding the conspiracy theorists.  Meanwhile the war with ISIS continues.    The Super Bowl has dominated the weekend with Lady Gaga’s outstanding performance of the American Anthem.
We’ve enjoyed being here this family day long weekend. I like America and Americans

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Mt. Baker Harley Davidson

Mt. Baker Harley Davidson http://mtbakerharley.com/ used to be called Bellingham Harley Davidson but it's now under new ownership. They've changed the name and they're doing a great job. We stopped by after staying at the Best Western Lakeway Motel.

We loved the Best Western Lakeway Inn http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?&srcPage=SelectHotel&isMapOpen=false&selectedHotels=undefined after a night drive down from Vancouver. I got to use my enhanced driver's license which serves as a passport crossing the Canada/US border by motor vehicle. The Best Western had really friendly staff letting me park my motorcycle right out front safe in the light. The Oboe Restaurant served superb filet mignot . Norma was a delight. The beds were huge and firm. We slept like babies. Waking we walked groggily down to the Jacuzzi for an executive work out in the amniotic fluid. I flexed my eye lids for a bit. The fresh coffee in the lobby helped us gather our wits before we gathered up our gear.

Back on the bike we made the treacherous adventurous expedition at the high speed of 30 km/hr the 1 to 2 mile distance to the Mt Baker Harley Davidson. A half dozen bikers had already gathered in front of the store on their Harleys to witness our arrival. When asked how far we'd come, I described in detail how I'd changed into second gear taken 3 gps checks and come all the way from the Best Western Lakeway just a few blocks away. Cruising isn't racing. I wouldn't want to get saddle sore on such a fine sunny first day of spring. It was time for a break.

The service department instantly solved my vision problem. My visor was so scratched that I'd not been able see for weeks. I'd just known something was missing in that high speed freeway ride down to Bellingham the night before. It was thoroughly amazing how a new helmut visor could take a whole lot of challenge out of motorcycling.

Laura got a pink bling Harley cell phone accessory. She's always texting her kids, cousins and nieces. While she and Marla were looking at all the Harley Davidson fashion wear I drooled all over the new 2010 Harleys.

We really liked their selection of everything. It's amazing how each dealer taste shows and while there's so much the same there's just still so many surprises. Harley has so wide a variety of inventory that it's clearly hard for anyone to stock it all. Marla was a pleasure to deal with.

Leaving one of the managers came out and helped take our picture when I was doing the proverbial Harley self timer running between the fast moving cars that thoughtlessly kept interfering with our picture by our bike in front of another Harley dealership. This one we really liked and look forward to returning to. I can't get enough of the incredible the coast rides between Vancouver Canada and Seattle and Portland. This has got to be some of the best Harley riding in the world.