I think I should write a tourist guide for visitors to Whatcom County. For decades tourism has been the focus of local governments and city plans. After all, we have a shopping mall and a couple of local history museums. City councils throughout the county are committed to making tourism an industry. Except for willingness to improve parking, transportation or mass transit. Even the airport is strictly for locals, because a tourist takes their chances getting either a bus or taxi once they land. There is the same problem with Amtrak or ferry. If you want to get around in Whatcom County, you need a car. Not that there isn't a lot to see and do if you have transportation. There is always a home tour of one kind or another going on. Historic home tours open the public to buildings that are seventy or eighty years old. Art walk is a big draw for downtown with either art displays or free chalk to make your own. Master gardeners and cancer fund raisers always have tours of local backyards. If only tourists knew ahead of time where to get tickets. Usually an adequate map is included in the price so you have a pretty good chance of finding your way around. At least as good as can be expected considering the unique way that the streets and roads are laid out. Even locals need a little luck to find their way through the maze of always dead-ending and twisting streets, and single destination county roads. That always leaves the option of tourists making their own garden show by just arbitrarily walking through residents' property. Most of us have interesting yards so that would work. Except out in the county where everyone has guns and are looking for an excuse to shoot at something. There is certainly a lot of inside information that tourists could use if they find themselves here. |
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