How to get there

The best way to get to Boulevard Park is the bus. I walk about 10 minutes to the State & Berry stop, catch the 401 to Fairhaven, and ride it to the top of the watch tower where I can walk down the stairs and to the park from there. If you’re more into fitness than I am, it’s quite easy to walk to Boulevard from Western’s campus — it’s mostly downhill there and uphill back.

When I first arrive to Boulevard Park, I won’t talk to anyone, pet any dogs, or really walk anywhere. For several minutes I sit and just watch the water, perched on a boulder. The water looks so beautiful and blue, and the cool wind shakes the blades of grass below me bringing the park to life. The only things that remain still are the rocks that disconnect the grass from the water, the rock I am sitting on, and yours truly.

When I reconnect with reality, I notice a biker sitting on the grass a few feet away from me. His eyes are shut and the smile on his face says the warm sun and cool breeze are working together to heal his tired body. He may be asleep. I stand and continue walking down the path to Boardwalk.

Boulevard Park and Boardwalk are used for a million reasons by a million different types of people, and that’s part of why I love it so much. Two moms taking their kids for a walk to catch up on neighborhood gossip, an older couple getting their daily exercise in, kids walking home from school, college students in hammocks doing homework, and my favorite, dog-owners walking their dogs.

Dogs, finally

It’s a beautiful day in Bellingham. I sit at my bench and unwind a bit. A few minutes pass, and I finally see a dog coming.

“Can I pet your dog?” I ask with a huge grin. She is more than willing and pulls him right over to where I am sitting.

The first dog I pet today was a small pug/shiba inu mix. Not only can I not stop smiling. But while asking a few random questions about him, the owners seem to be overjoyed to talk about their little Koda as well.

The only downside to the bench I have chosen to sit at on to write each time I come, is it is directly in front of the train that parallels Boardwalk. Another example of how mankind has made the world its own.

I don’t tattle or get bothered when people don’t pick up their dog’s crap. If it’s already in nature, walking through the words, what the difference between a dog’s crap and a deer’s?

The second dog I pet is a corgi named Lulu. It’s her first time at Boardwalk and she doesn’t stop smelling the bench and the surrounding dirt while I talk to her owners.

The third dog I pet is Rugby, an Australian Labrador. His owners got him as a puppy and have had him for 9 years. These are the first people to ask about my project and how it’s coming along. Rugby jumped in my lap and licked my chin a lot.

The fourth dog I pet is Kaira, a four year old golden retriever who’s been with her owners since birth. She immediately snuggles up to me and rests her head on my lap, occasionally looking up and licking my nose.

By now, the fact that I missed this morning’s class is no longer affecting my mood. Being at boardwalk and petting all the dogs and talking to all the owners has increased my mood by 1000%. I can recommend a trip to boulevard to anyone that needs any kind of emotional support or anyone that needs to break out of their comfort zone. Talk to someone new at the bus stop. Have the courage to ask for the cute barista’s number at the Woods Coffee at the park. Do something you wouldn’t normally do, that’s the point of Boardwalk. It brings out inspiration in people.

The last dog I pet before I head home is an Akita named Babu. The couple he belongs to couldn’t seem to agree on anything, from his favorite toy or even if he liked playing fetch. They provided quite the entertainment while Babu cuddled up to me with his big fluffy head. They finally decided Babu’s favorite toy is any other dog’s ball, and his favorite activity is meeting other dogs to steal toys from. Just look at that innocent face, though.

Take the same bus you took to get here, or try something new and make the uphill trek back to campus. Either way, congratulations. You just stepped out of your comfort zone to make yourself feel better about the day. Pat yourself on the back and give yourself a high-five.