Five Minutes from Home

Five minutes from home by car, that is. But a brisk fifteen to twenty minutes on foot will get me to the edge of Derby Pond, inside Whatcom Falls Park, one of the most user-friendly, well-designed parks I've seen in a long time, perfectly suited for a drifter and lollygagger like me.

There's a little something for everyone inside this gorgeous park: hiking, biking, tennis, fishing, swimming, frisbee, playgrounds, picnicking, and of course, dog walking while taking photos.

Once inside the park, you almost forget that you're in town. The foliage is lush and dense, and on a hot day like today, the air in front of the falls becomes very humid and moist.

There is still so much for me to explore, but fortunately, Lola Malu is an eager walking companion. Another bonus: upon exiting the park, you can fortify yourself with a handmade donut from LaFeen's or a juicy, Philly Cheeseteak from Da Vinci's!

241 acres of awesomeness