Betting on Bellingham
firexside in bellingham

Bellingham’s railway began in the late 1880s, linking bay ports, lumber mills and coal operations to Washington and Canada.

Considering that the forecast was a 90% chance of rain for the entirety of this trip, we really went all in on the underdog with this one. In the end, though, luck played in our favor. We locked in our bets on Bellingham, and they definitely hit.
The four-day trip started with a pregame camp on the banks of the Hood Canal, in Belfair State Park, where the first wave of dudes rolled in: Adam Crew, Julian Quevedo, and Sam Hatten. It wouldn’t be until the next day, when we made our ascent into Bellingham, that Brick Strait, Two Hawks Young, and Alan Chou would be added to the roster.
Julian Quevedo

Julian Quevedo crosses another city off the list ✓
Switch FS Crook | photo: Crew

As we pulled up to our campsite at Larabee State Park, where Whatcom County legend Cam Barret awaited our arrival, the odds weren’t looking good. It wasn’t dumping rain, but it was for sure steady shitty. Good thing for us, Cam had an underground spot lined up, not far down the road from camp.
The spot was one of Western Washington University's many gems. The squad enjoyed ripping the brick banks and other little obstacles there. With A Crew behind the fisheye and Cam Barret on long-lens, we were able to dial a few VX clips for this forthcoming FIREXSIDE project in the works.

"... the other half of us got rowdy, rolled dice, and lost our money to Two Hawks."

Back at camp that night, the squad split into two separate campfire zones. One was the mellow, decibel-on-low zone, and the other was the Cee-lo, gambleholic zone. Two Hawks won everyone’s money in that zone. And by a long shot.

This same scene would roll out every night of the trip. Half of the homies chilled and grilled like grown folk, while the other half of us got rowdy, rolled dice, and lost our money to Two Hawks.
Travis Knight

BNSF Railway KNOWS MEH!
Travis Knight | Kickflip | photo: Strait

As far as the weather went, the next day wasn’t much better. But we made the best of the spitting clouds by stopping into Unknown Board Shop, where we reunited with our old friend and Bremerton alumnus, Zac Garza. The rain didn’t let up at all. In fact, it doubled down. So, we headed down the street to a fun little DIY under the West Holly Street overpass. There, awaiting our arrival, was another PNW legend: Josh Knapp.
Good times were had under that overpass. Tricks were landed and clips were clocked as intervals of passing freight trains rumbled by on the BNSF Railway. For most of the day, the rain didn’t let up. Not even a little bit. But as evening approached, clear skies enveloped Bellingham.
Everything dried up pretty quickly, so we followed the BNSF Railway to a pile of concrete slabs just screaming to be skated. But everyone was burnt, so dudes agreed that it was better to save it for the morrow. We reeled ‘er in early and headed to Knapp’s forest haven/skate utopia to set up our tents for the night, skate Josh's concrete DIY, grill, and chill by the crackle of campfire.

"Alan and Brick dropped bangers while Julian and Sam locked in more Kalshi bets on only God-knows-what."

The next morning, we awoke to a much-welcomed treat, as a bright-eyed Kameron “Kabooty” Loveless rolled in for the day’s sesh. We started the day proper, heading to the Nooksack River for a much-needed dip to really motivate the muscles. After we had all been thoroughly soaked, and we all had our Kalshi bets locked in for the FIFA games that day, the squad was off to a few crusty warm up spots. As far as the Kalshi debauchery went, no one knew jack shit about soccer, so everyone lost their money. Well, everyone except Julian. We're pretty sure gambling is his job now.
After the boys got all warmed up, we headed back to the concrete slab spot. Everyone ripped for a bit, but we mostly lurked around the train tracks and soaked up the beautiful day upon us. Alan and Brick dropped bangers while Julian and Sam locked in more Kalshi bets on only God-knows-what. Julian would eventually bank out while Sam would eventually go bankrupt.
On our way back to Knapp's, we decided to hit one last spot for the day. It was the picturesque waterfront ledge that Cam tail-slid kick-flipped in Salish Return. Unfortunately, it was a bust. The bourgeois hotel at which the the ledge resides wasn't having it.
Brick Strait

Brick Strait loading dock hop viva la video grab ✨

Before Booty rolled back to Kitsap that evening, the boys set off one more session at Knapp’s little slice of concrete heaven. That last night was rad. Ripping, Q’ing, and good times with great people. Really... what more could you ask for?
The last day brought with it sunshine and open blue skies with just that right amount of cloud cover. So, we decided to try our luck at the waterfront ledge once more. But this time, the cranky hotel concierge wasn't quick enough to give us the boot. Right before she came out and demonstrated her sheer unhappiness with how her life has turned out, Julian "locked in" more than Kalshi bets with a switch front crook for the win. It might be safe to say that "The Ledgend" has now officially switch front crooked every ledge in the lower 48.
Firexside

Sam and Julian stay busy placing bets on Kalshi while the rest of the squad contemplate their sleeping arrangements 🎲 🌧️

The time was near for the squad to split their ways and head back to their respective King and Kitsap Counties. We decided to squeeze in one last spot, where Alan took Selena for a much-needed walk, Two Hawks bought a jacket that was too big for him at Walmart, Julian bet on Bosnian table tennis, Brick live streamed the Mariners game, I went to a pot shop, and Sam closed the trip out strong with a steezy cargo-shorts-big-flip. Now THAT'S what's Hattenin'!
Huge gratitude goes out to Cam and Josh for hauling us around town and for their unconditional hospitality. Before we sign off, we can’t express our love without mentioning Zac and Unknown Board Shop. What a blast it was to reconnect with our Bellingham fam. Our appreciation for you guys is MASSIVE. Until the long dusty road unites us again… WE LOVE YOU BELLINGHAM!

It might be safe to say that "The Ledgend" has now officially switch front crooked every ledge in the lower 48.

About Travis Knight has been a journalist here at the INdustries for over 2 decades. Presently, he has 2 published books, manages his own blog, and continues to write stories & poems any chance he gets.

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