Lummi Peninsula

August 16, 2025

We went to bed with the plan to go out to a Thai restaurant down in Fairhaven for an early lunch, in hopes that the rains would stop early enough for us to get out for a few hours later in the afternoon. This morning though, we were pleased to see that the front was passing considerably sooner than expected and even though it was still raining when we got up, by ten it had tapered to a few scattered sprinkles. Plans for lunch were rescheduled for the evening, and by 11 it was dry enough for me to start out on an out and back ride to the Lummi Peninsula, turning back when I reached the ferry terminal.

Rachael planned to wait a few hours for the day to warm up and winds to die down. Once that happened she intended on a ten mile out and back walk to Whatcom Falls, staying on neighborhood streets the whole way in case the trails were too muddy to walk on. That walk never happened though because she got comfortable with a good book and kept stalling until it was too late in the day for such a long walk. She did get out for a four mile walk in the neighborhood, which more or less counts as a day off in her standards. Good - she's well earned it.

And somehow even though we had a day off for rain I've still gotten a day behind so I'll keep this brief. With the requirement to be back by 4:30 for dinner, I've got a little over five hours to cover a flat 40 miles if I want to get to the ferry and back. An eight mph average should be easy enough as long as I don't hang out too long anywhere and lose track of time, and I make it - barely, arriving home almost exactly at 4:30. So where did all of that time go?

Well, first off some of it went in the first five miles, just getting out of town:

Might as well get my bike shot in early so I don't forget later.

The Saturday Market was on, which slowed me down.

I'm not really a market shopper, but I do like to gawk at a good one.

This didn't take any extra time, but as long as I,'m stopped for the red light I might as well make the best of it.

There are many reasons to like Bellingham, but here's another. There are about ten of these gondolas loaded with what looks like sections of ripped up track. My guess is we're seeing the start of a new rail-to-trail conversion.

I finally make it out of Bellingham, and then keep a steady pace all the way to Lummi Prninsula, stopping only for a look at the Nooksack River, impressively swollen by the recent long-overdue rains. The rainfall has come to great relief here after an unseasonably dry summer.

The mouth of the Nooksack, at flood stage. It empties into Bellingham bay just about a mile from here.

I've hoarded nearly all of my time for the Lummi Peninsula itself. From the Nooksack it's a 20 miles OAB to the ferry landing and back, and there's a lot to see on the way. My goal is to make it to the ferry landing and back to the bridge by around three, leaving me plenty of time to bike the ten remaining miles back to the house.

First though I'm slowed down biking along the east side of the peninsula, with its local attractions and great views along Bellingham Bay.

The Lummi Cemetery is worth a stop to admire its entry gate. I'm curious about the cemetery too of course, but don't know if it's open to the public or if I have a right to go there. I'll have to research that.

An update. It looks like the cemetery is open to the public and worth the detour. I'll have to come back.

This spot on the bay is worth a stop, especially since there's a loo nearby.

Not a bad spot, especially considering that you've got a view across the bay right out your window.

After about five miles the road bends west to cross the south end of the peninsula before turning north to the ferry and beyond. First though I take the dead-end spur that follows the coastline for a short ways before coming to a gate where it's closed to anyone without access privileges. The shoreline and its shellfish are preserved for the Lummi's.

I'm not here for the shellfish though. I'm here for the birds, drawn at first by around a dozen vultures I see soaring just above the trees ahead. I watch them for a few minutes trying to get a decent photograph, and then too late turn back to the bay nd see a gorgeous adult bald eagle gliding in low over the water. He's gone before I can get the camera on him, but I'm elated when I see him later perched just around the bend.

As great as the eagle is, even better is the cation on the rocky shore. There are dozens of birds scavenging in a dense cluster, caterwauling and fighting amongst themselves for something. It's quite an impressive show.

It's mostly glaucous winged gulls and crows. Zooming in now, it looks like they're fighting over flayed salmon carcasses.

An immature glaucous-winged gulls, not looking too glaucous yet.

Around the bend, I see the source of the commotion. At first I think he's just a kid who's shown up and pelting stones at the gulls to watch them scatter.

But no, he's flinging fish innards. He's here with a fishing crew that looks like it has just arrived with the day's catch.

So that's pretty wonderful. I watch until the scene has died down and then bike the few miles north to the ferry terminal, and then continue beyond it for a loop through the small community at Fisherman's Cove.

At the entrance to the Little Bear Creek Living Center.

So that about shoots my time budget. I plan on just biking straight home from here, but do stop for a few last shots along Bellingham Bay.

One of the few other bikers I saw out here this afternoon.

The view south across Bellingham Bay. I'm not sure what that gap is, but maybe it's the entrance to Padilla Bay, with Samish Islnd on its left and Guemes Island on the right.

I make it back to Happy Valley at around 4:30, and we drive off a few minutes later to have dinner at a Lao/Thai restaurant in Fairhaven. It's a fine place, founded by a man who grew up in Issan Province near the Laotian border. I suspect we'll return before heading south in two weeks, but next time I'll pick a milder level of spiciness: 2 on a scale of 5 was almost too much.

Maikham Restaurant, a Thai/Lao Restaurant in Fairhaven.

Khanom jeen: salmon curry simmered in a lemongrass fish fumet, served over round rice noodles.

Phad krapao: basil and garlic stir-fry with vegetables and pork.

Tonight's film is The Freshman, another old favorite we'd mostly forgotten about until Rachael stumbled on it looking for films starring Matthew Broderick because he's in the film she watched at yesterday at the gym. I remembered it too, but because there's a Komodo Dragon in it.

And, here's another chance to point out how excellent Ai is at answering those vexing questions you might have - such as what to do if you're being chased by a Komodo Dragon, a fearsome creature that can run 12 mph and will eat people given the chance.

Ai has this to say about that:

AI Overview

What do you do if a Komodo dragon is chasing you?

If a Komodo dragon is chasing you, try to outrun it, if possible, and zigzag to make it harder for the dragon to catch you. Komodo dragons are not good climbers, so if you can, climb a tree or a structure like a wooden house on stilts. Avoid turning your back abruptly and try to make yourself look bigger if you have to stand your ground. If bitten, fight back using available tools (like a stick or rock) to hit its face (nostrils, eyes, or mouth).

Detailed Steps

Outrun the Dragon: Komodo dragons can run up to 12 mph (20 km/h) for short bursts, so try to outpace it if you can.
Zigzag Pattern: If you can't outrun it, run in a zigzag pattern. Komodo dragons are not good at sharp turns and this can help you create distance.
Climb if Possible: If there's a tree or sturdy structure nearby, climb it. Komodo dragons, especially adults, are not good climbers.
Make Yourself Look Big: If you can't run or climb, stand your ground and try to make yourself look bigger. This might deter the dragon.
Fight Back if Bitten: If you are bitten, fight back with anything you can find (a stick, rock, etc.) to strike the dragon's face (nostrils, eyes, or mouth).
Seek Immediate Medical Help: Komodo dragon bites can be dangerous due to bacteria and potential venom, so seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Stay calm. Avoid sudden movements and try to stay calm, as panic can escalate the situation.

Important safety considerations:

Avoid provoking the dragon: Do not make sudden movements or loud noises as this might trigger an attack.
Maintain distance: Keep a safe distance of at least 5–10 meters from any Komodo dragon you encounter.
Don't travel alone in Komodo dragon habitats: Always travel with an official ranger or in a group.
Avoid strong scents and bright colors: Komodo dragons have a highly developed sense of smell and may be attracted to certain scents.
Women who are menstruating or people with open wounds should take extra precautions: Komodo dragons are highly sensitive to the smell of blood and may be drawn to it.

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Sound track: Mona Lisa, by Nat King Cole. I picked it because it was the closing number of The Freshman that we watched this evening. I't doesn't particularly work with the video, but I'm not going to start over.

Today's ride: 40 miles (64 km)
Total: 591 miles (951 km)

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Rich FrasierThanks, Scott. Next time I'm attacked by a komodo dragon I'll know exactly what to do. I'm going outside to practice my zigzag running for a few minutes. You never know when one of those things will pop out at you...
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2 days ago

Scott AndersonTo Rich FrasierIt's really very helpful. I especially like the 7 point plan, with the always helpful reminder to remain calm. We don't plan to go to Malaysia any time soon, but if we do I'll have the ruleset laminated to carry in my wallet just in case.
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2 days ago