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My Ideal Day in Bellingham – 10 Must Do’s

May 4th, 2012 by Jacqueline

Bellingham, WA has been my home for 10 years and to honor this personal milestone, I offer 10 “must do’s” in Bellingham. Warning: if  you don’t mind getting a little dirty and sweaty, eating really awesome food, taking in gorgeous views, arts and books, you may just have to take my advice. A love of beer is  a bonus, too.

Chuckanut Mountains  - I’m a sucker for gorgeous views, epic sunsets and easy-to-get to trailheads. You, too? The Chuckanuts seem to be overlooked  — Galbraith gets all the mountain bike love, Baker gets the skiing and snow sports. But the Chuckanuts are the easiest to access and offer perfect year-round trails for hiking and biking.

Taylor Dock and Boulevard Park – perfect place for strolling, photos, Frisbee, hot latte or sitting in the sun.

Village Books – give yourself at least an hour to pour over their staff favorites, huge display of coffee table books, inviting kids’ section, travel and cooking books, and old/used selections.

Artwood  - you will be amazed what our local artists and carpenters can do with wood! The smell alone is worth the journey. Sit in gorgeously hand-crafted chairs or play with wooden musical instruments. It’s a perfect place to gift shop or treat yourself.

Bellingham Farmers Market – Open every Saturday from April-Dec, this weekly gathering place has quickly become my ideal place for lunch. There are tons of carts, booths and caterers offering ethnic, local and amazing cuisine. And of course, lots of fresh produce, locally-made food (like cheese), goods and crafts.

Mallard Ice Cream – you don’t have to be a sweet tooth to love small batch ice cream. Mallard touts funky flavors like Avocado, Vanilla Black Pepper, Rose, Cardamom, Rubarb and Basil that are all made from (wait for it) real food – most of which is from our own Whatcom County farms!

Lake Padden – scenic, all-abilities 2.6-mile trail around the lake. Great for an adventurous walk, hardy jog or quick off-road  bike ride. It has beaches for those lovely (but rare) hot days.

Avenue Bread – With 3 locations, Avenue Bread continues to bake and make exceptional food and bakery. Each café has its own flare – downtown now serves beer, James Street offers full breakfasts and Fairhaven is perfectly quaint.

Chrysalis Spa – As soon as I win the lottery, I’ll figure out a way to more regularly get to the Chrysalis. For now, it’s a special treat and my family knows a gift certificate (about one per year) goes a long way. Figuring out how to spend it is the tricky part  – massage, facial, pedicure…hmmmm… all of the above?

Beer, beer and more beer – I’m originally from Milwaukee, WI, but my palate for beer has expanded far beyond the mass-produced lagers and pilsners (not that there’s anything wrong with those beers – I still enjoy a High Life when in MKE). I can’t recommend just one place in Bellingham for an amazing beer, so I’ll tell you to create your own pub crawl: Boundary Bay Brewery, Chuckanut Brewery, Kulshan Brewery, Elizabeth Station, Green Frog Tavern, and Copper Hog are among my favorites.

 *This list includes only places found in Bellingham, which does include Fairhaven (whether they like it or not). I’m working on my 10 things to do out in Whatcom County. Depending on your appetite and energy levels, one may need two days to complete.

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Lummi Island is part of the Bellingham Foodie and Adventure Scene

May 2nd, 2012 by Annette

Culinary mastermind Blaine Wetzel at the Willows Inn on Lummi Island is currently shining an incredible spotlight on this secret island, near Bellingham, WA. In April he was named a Best New Chef for 2012 by Food & Wine magazine. His prowess has also made the Willows Inn one of the world’s 10 restaurants worth a plane ride. It has been featured in the New York Times,  Travel + Leisure Magazine, the Today Show and much more. And Blaine’s amazing meals truly are worth all the fuss.

So where is Lummi Island? How do you get there? What is there to do on the island? (After your fabulous dinner at the Willows Inn of course.) And what is there to see and do near Lummi Island? After all, if you’re going to fly here for dinner, (or drive) you’d might as well relax and stay here for a few days. Right?

Lummi Island is part of the San Juan Islands Archipelago, in Washington State’s northern Puget Sound. However, it cannot be accessed via the traditional Washington State Ferry System. Lummi Island is close to the shoreline near Bellingham, WA and is therefore part of Whatcom County. The Lummi Island Ferry is a small, 10-car vessel, operated by the county to service Lummi Island from the mainland. It runs several times an hour, about every 20  minutes.

The easiest way to fly here is to fly directly into Bellingham International Airport (via Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines or Frontier Airlines) and rent a car at the airport, which happens to be conveniently located adjacent to the I-5 freeway.

To drive here from either Seattle or Vancouver, B.C., take the I-5 freeway to Bellingham.  To get to Lummi Island, take the I-5 exit 260 (Slater Road), travel west 4 miles to Haxton Way. Turn left on Haxton and travel south 7 miles (passing through the Lummi Nation) to the ferry terminal. The ferry ride takes 10 minutes. Once onto the island, turn right and travel 3 miles to get to the Willows Inn. It is also a 10 minute trip all the way around the island (7 miles total) and back to the ferry terminal.

If you are trying to get dinner reservations at the Willows Inn (currently one of the hottest tickets in the world), the trick is to also make plans to stay overnight. The hotel currently gives priority in its limited dining room to overnight guests. There are 20 rooms available, and they do book many months in advance. There are also numerous boutique hotels in Bellingham (see below), which is a short drive to and from Lummi Island.

What is there to do on Lummi Island?

Lummi Island is half flat-land agricultural community and half mountainous nature reserve. The most popular visitor activities on Lummi Island are sea kayaking, hiking, biking, wine tasting and relaxing.

For the adventurous, guided sea kayak tours are offered by Elakah Expeditions, Wed – Sun, in May through September. Groups paddle in tandem (2 person) kayaks past 700-foot cliffs rising out the water to see a variety of wildlife including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, seals, and sometimes Orca whales.

Hikers enjoy the Baker Preserve Trail, which climbs 1,050 feet to the ridge of the island and provides spectacular views. My colleague Jacqueline recently wrote a first hand account of her experience hiking on Lummi Island with her family.

For leisurely biking on Lummi Island, the quiet county roads on the northern side are ideal. Day-trippers usually park their cars on the mainland and walk on the ferry with their bikes.  The Willows Inn also offers bikes to guests on a first-come-first-served basis.

The Lummi Island Artists Studio Tour occurs three times a year – Memorial Day in May, Labor Day in September, and the second weekend in November. Artists in a wide variety of mediums from paintings to pottery to leatherwork and quilts shows their work at nearly a dozen locations on the island. Maps can be found at The Islander Store, near the ferry dock.

What else is there to do near Lummi Island (in Bellingham and Whatcom County)?

The surrounding Bellingham region is a paradise for foodies who are into local, sustainable and foraged foods. Numerous chefs and restaurants have embraced and cultivated this concept. Visitors are encouraged to pick up or download a copy of the Whatcom Food Finder, which lists a vast array of small farms, fisheries, markets and cafes to explore. Pair these with quaint shopping districts, art galleries and many festivals and events. It’s worth staying an extra day or two on the mainland as well.

Our corner of Washington State is unique for its close proximity to both the sea and the mountains. Snow-capped Mt. Baker dominates the view to the east and is an easy 60-mile drive from the water. Much of the Mt. Baker Highway (State Route 542) is within the evergreen-laden Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, overflowing with trails for hiking and mountain biking in the summer months and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter months. The Mount Baker Ski Area also operates from November through April.

Bellingham Bay also provides plentiful water activities, including sea kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, kiteboarding. Charter sailing and motor vessel cruises depart regularly from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and Squalicum Harbor to points throughout the Salish Sea, including the San Juan Islands.

Among our many local food celebrities is Jennifer Hahn, author of Pacific Feast, who often pairs with Mateo & Jessica at Ciao Thyme to offer guided foraging tours in the Mt. Baker foothills and on the shoreline. Imagine a day of collecting Grand Fir needles, wild ferns and seaweed, followed by an evening cooking demonstration filled with recipes for enjoying these ultra-local ingredients. Ciao Thyme also offers a year-round schedule of gourmet cooking events based on ingredients gathered weekly at the Bellingham Farmer’s Market.

Whatcom County grows more red-raspberries than any other location in the United States. The fields are located near the picturesque town of Lynden, WA, which has held tight to its Dutch Heritage through the decades. Each July, Lynden hosts the Northwest Raspberry Festival in the height of harvest season.

If you are searching for additional accommodations nearby, the Silver Reef Hotel, Casino, Spa is located on the corner of Slater Road and Haxton Way (on your way to or from the Lummi Island ferry). It features 105 rooms, a full service spa, swimming pool, gaming and seven dining options, including the award-winning Steak House.

Three hotels in Bellingham are located at the edge of Bellingham Bay with gorgeous views of Lummi Island. Hotel Bellwether is known for its unique Lighthouse Suite. It is located at Bellingham’s busy Squalicum Harbor, where yachts and fishing boats are friendly neighbors. Nearby is downtown Bellingham, home to a cultural arts district featuring the Whatcom Museum, Mount Baker Theatre, Pickford Film Center, Spark Museum of Electrical Invention and numerous art galleries.

On the south side of Bellingham Bay is the Historic Fairhaven District home to The Chrysalis Inn & Spa and the Fairhaven Village Inn. Fairhaven is a great location for browsing in shops, sipping a latte or enjoying an ice cream cone. A great trail stretches from the Fairhaven Village Inn at the corner of 10th Street to The Chrysalis Inn at Taylor Avenue and then out across the water on Taylor Dock to grassy Boulevard Park with fantastic views of sailboats, kayakers and paddle boarders on the water.

A fabulous dinner at the Willows Inn on Lummi Island can easily be expanded into a relaxing, multi-day, foodie and adventure vacation in this beautiful, small-town region in the northwest corner of Washington State.

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Who’s Ready for a Good, Old-fashioned Chowder Cook-off in Bellingham?

April 4th, 2012 by Annette

I am! If you love chowder and a good time, travel to Bellingham’s Historic Fairhaven District on Sunday, Apr. 29, 2012 for the 10th annual Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival on the Village Green. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to taste amazing chowders by chefs from 15 local restaurants and vote for your favorite.

For only $10, you get a ticket to taste each creation. When you find your favorite, you trade your ticket for a bowl of goodness. This is also how you vote for the People’s Choice Award.  In 2010, I chose Whiskey Crab Soup made by the Shrimp Shack and it was FANTASTIC!!! I then sat and devoured it amid the happy crowd listening to live music. I also remember a Southern Style Prawn and Corn Chowder made by Bellingham Country Club chef Michael Hannah.

Here are this year’s contestants: Avenue Bread, Blue Mountain Grill, Boundary Bay Brewery &  Bistro, Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen, Colophon Cafe, Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse, Fairhaven Market Haggen, Fireside Martini Bar, Mambo Italiano, Skylark’s Hidden Cafe & Wine Parlour, The Big Fat Fish Company, The Copper Hog Gastropub, The Daisy Cafe, The Fountain Bistro & Drive-thru, and The Sandwich Odyssey. (Mmmm. Are you hungry yet?)

The day is also filled with fun contests, games, and the world’s only uphill piano race at high noon – all to honor Fairhaven’s founder Dirty Dan Harris. As the story goes, when Dirty Dan sold the Fairhaven Hotel (in 1890), the new owner refused to pay extra for the piano. So Dan walked into the lobby, pushed the piano out the door and down the hill into the bay.  Today, the wacky race features 4 teams of 4 runners who race their pianos back up the hill as the crowd cheers them on. It’s good, clean Fairhaven Fun!

Jack Hartline recently wrote a great article about Dirty Dan Days in the Vancouver Sun. Many more details about the event and about Dirty Dan Harris himself, are also listed on Fairhaven.com. For information about overnight lodging in Bellingham, visit our Places to Stay page.

Chuckanut Chowder Cook-off at Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival

 

Uphill piano race at Dirty Dan Days in Fairhaven

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Congratulations WWU!

March 24th, 2012 by Annette

Western Washington University’s Men’s Basketball team today became the 2012 National Champions for NCAA Division II. Let’s hear it for our boys from Bellingham!

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Big donuts, big grasshoppers, big fun for families in downtown Bellingham

February 21st, 2012 by Tony Briggmin

Hopefully Gort will keep his visor closed while you enjoy a Rocket Donut.

In January, upon returning to western Washington after spending 16 months in Idaho, I compiled a long list of things I had to accomplish to reimmerse myself in all things Whatcom County.

Going back to Rocket Donuts was near the top of the list. And Saturday, coupled with the latest Rocket Donuts Sci-Fi Matinee at the Pickford Film Center, I got a double dip of the unique and campy experience in downtown Bellingham.

I’ve always been a big fan of the B-movies of 1940s and 1950s, and enjoying a donut and coffee at the colorful West Holly Street store – decked out with movie posters and a replica of the Gort robot from “The Day the Earth Stood Still” — is a true pleasure. But what was even better was watching the eclectic crowd, from families to seniors, enjoy the time around me. At one point, a father and daughter sat down at the table next to mine with one of the store’s oversized donuts. So big, in fact, the dad had to keep leaning back in his chair to take a photo of the mammoth treat, much to the amusement of his daughter.

The same vibe carried over when I headed over to the new Pickford Film Center on Bay Street to watch “The Beginning of the End,” the latest in the theater’s monthly series of classic sci-fi movies. I had seen the 1957 film before, but I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of group would show up to watch an entomologist played by Peter Graves save the world from giant irradiated grasshoppers (“You can’t drop an atom bomb on Chicago!”), but I was pleasantly surprised to see several families with young kids in the enthusiastic audience. And it was kind of refreshing to watch a movie without profanity and gore. For $2, this was a great deal in a terrific venue.

Next in the series is “Fahrenheit 451” on March 17, followed by “Monster from the Ocean Floor” (April 21) and “Earth vs. the Spider” (May 19). To learn more about the series, go here.

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Chocolate Beverages a Delicious Necessity in Bellingham

February 20th, 2012 by Annette

I admit it. I’m a chocoholic. So today, when I was thinking about where to grab a cup of coffee in Bellingham, Chocolate Necessities popped into my mind. They have a fairly new location at 1425 Cornwall Avenue that I love to visit for gelato with the kids, and to pick up truffles for my husband and I to share. I decided to swing by to see what kinds of warm beverages they serve.

What I found was heaven in a cup! My choices ranged from Italian sipping chocolate, which the barista described as “a liquid truffle,” (I tasted it, and she was not joking. It is thick and warm and delectable!) to “Drinking Chocolate.” After one taste, I can honestly say, forget hot chocolate, go straight to “drinking chocolate”! This is warm milk combined with either: white chocolate, dark hazelnut chocolate, Belgian milk chocolate, Venuatin 44% dark milk chocolate, Belgian 60% bittersweet chocolate, Colombian 65% bittersweet chocolate, or Peruvian 70% bittersweet chocolate.

I think I mentioned I’m a chocoholic, so I ordered a mug of the 70% Peruvian. WOW. It was pure, warm chocolate bliss, and I highly recommend it. Next time a friend suggests we meet for coffee, I plan to suggest we meet for chocolate!

Of course, on my way out I also had to purchase another bag of my favorite 64% bittersweet chocolate chips from Guayaquil, Ecuador to enjoy at home.

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AAU Basketball Families Visiting Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden and Whatcom County

January 30th, 2012 by Annette

Are you the parent or grandparent of an AAU basketball athlete participating in a weekend tournament in Whatcom County? Are you reading this on your smartphone, while sitting in a gym in an unfamiliar town wondering “Where should we eat” and “What is there to do” between two games on Saturday and two games on Sunday? This season I have officially joined your ranks! My first weekend, I brought snacks and spent 4 hours sitting in the bleachers each day. Then I decided to get creative. Since I’m a Whatcom County local, here are some ideas I’d like to share. Let me know if you discover others. (We parents have to stick together for sanity!)

Bellingham is home to Mallard Ice Cream at 1323 Railroad Avenue in downtown. This is a fantastic spot for a celebratory cone or a fun snack. Luscious vanilla and chocolate are on the menu, but so are an amazing range of ever-changing unique flavors (lemon cheesecake, rosehips, chai tea), all made on-site with local ingredients. Next door are two great places for lunch. The Bagelry at 1319 Railroad Avenue features fresh bagels made on-site in a multitude of flavors and numerous options for bagel sandwiches. Avenue Bread at 1313 Railroad Avenue also bakes its own bread and is known for its soup, sandwiches, salads and pastries.

Bellingham has several shopping areas, including: Downtown, the Fairhaven Historic District, the Guide Meridian and Bellis Fair Mall. A great place to walk is the South Bay Trail, which starts as a gravel path in Fairhaven, stretches over the water on Taylor Dock and continues on the shoreline at Boulevard Park. Also, if you are looking to entertain small children indoors, a great place is the Family Interactive Gallery at the Whatcom Museum, 250 Flora Street.

If you have some extra time in Blaine and you happen to have a Washington State Parks Discovery pass for parking, the Peace Arch is fun to see. You do not need a passport to enter the park. From the parking lot, take the trail to the right and down the slope. You will see the arch straight ahead. It’s a great spot for photos and to let kids run off any extra energy. Also look for the obelisk that marks the official boundary between the U.S. and Canada. You can stand in both countries at the same time! To get there from the high school gyms, take Boblett St back to 12th Street (Hwy 543). Travel north on 12th St. to D St. Travel west on D St. to 2nd St. Go north on 2nd to the parking lot.

D Street in Blaine enters a roundabout at the waterfront. To the south is Peace Portal Drive and Blaine’s downtown. A great place for kids is the Pizza Factory at 738 Peace Portal Drive. They also serve a variety of buffet salads, sandwiches and pasta and they have a large indoor seating area, as well as a room for groups. On a nice day it’s fun to browse the waterfront shops on Peace Portal Drive as well.

Ferndale has gyms in many schools, but to get to nearly all of them visitors travel on Main Street, which is the city’s downtown. A well known restaurant for lunch and dinner is Chihuahua’s Mexican Restaurant at 5694 Third Avenue, just one block north of Main Street (at the intersection of Third St. and Vista Drive). This is a great spot for kids, families and groups. Over the years the restaurant has grown to actually encompass three buildings on that corner of the block. There is a big parking lot behind the buildings as well.

If you’re just looking for a quick latte in Ferndale, Main Street back toward the freeway, where the newer shopping areas are. Woods Coffee is located 1867 Main Street next door to the Sonic Drive-In. There is also a Starbucks inside the Haggen Grocery store at 1815 Main Street. Haggen also offers a large indoor seating area, salad bar, Chinese food, custom sandwiches and full deli.

Lynden’s main street is called Front Street. It’s a fun spot to shop with antique stores, bakeries, candy shops, etc. The Lynden Pioneer Museum is at 217 Front Street. Even kids are fascinated by its life-size recreation of Lynden’s Dutch-style downtown as it appeared in the early 1900s. It also has the largest buggy collection west of the Mississippi!

Lynden’s newer shopping areas are on the west end of Front Street and on the Guide Meridian. If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Lynden, try Jake’s Western Grill at 8114 Guide Meridian Road in the Lynden Towne Plaza development. They are open for lunch and dinner with baby back ribs, burgers, steaks, chicken and southern favorites. And back to that latte, Woods Coffee has three locations in Lynden: 1758 Front Street (with a Dutch windmill on top), 8071 Guide Meridian, and 8874 Bender Road.

Have fun!

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Oyster Bar: An Amazing Meal Off the Beaten Path

January 17th, 2012 by Jacqueline

I thought I had taken my raw oyster-loving father-in-law to every waterfront/seafood restaurant the Bellingham area had to offer; we’d done them all, hadn’t we? He enjoyed several Fairhaven eateries, the Cliffhouse overlooking the bay, the Fork near Lake Whatcom, Bayou’s Oyster Bar and all the spectacular places near Squalicum Harbor. But wait. Is there yet another, just slightly off the beaten path…featuring fresh oysters, local seafood and an amazing wine list?

The Oyster Bar, of course! It’s located south of Fairhaven, on the beautiful and scenic Chuckanut Drive, just south of the hairpin turn near milepost 11.

I was surprised to learn that the Oyster Bar was once a modest oyster stand during the Great Depression. Today, it’s a destination restaurant for special occasion celebrations, business functions and visitors. It’s blessed with spectacular views of the San Juan Islands and fantastic local seafood. Huge bonus: its Wine cellar has been awarded the coveted ‘Best of Award of Excellence” from the Wine Spectator since 1990.

My in-laws came to town in early January, and the Oyster Bar was our big night out during their 4-night stay. Our 3-hour meal included lots of seafood, several bottles of wine, a lovely dessert and smooth sherry. But my favorite aspect of the meal (beyond the company) was the seafood. To start, we enjoyed Samish Bay Mussels steamed with white wine, leeks, pistou and tomatoes and a lovely appetizer of goat cheese, sautéed mushrooms and crostini.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My father-in-law balked when I asked him if he could spare an oyster from his sampler plate, which included Samish Bay, Penn Cove, Fanny Bay and Shigoku (2-3 of each). They’re served on the half shell with a refreshing iced apple cider mignonette. I was able to get my hands on a Shigoku; slimy but darn good (this is coming from a  raw oyster novice!).

For dinner, our table enjoyed the Bouillabaisse, Gulf Coast Hopper Prawns and Halibut.  All prepared with the freshest ingredients (most of which can be found at Taylor Shellfish Farms just a quarter-mile away off Chuckanut), local produce and palate-pleasing flavors. Don’t forget about the Oyster Bar!

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Snow is Gorgeous in Whatcom County this week!

January 17th, 2012 by Annette

It’s a winter wonderland in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and throughout the county today. A beautiful, fluffy white blanket covers the ground. The air is calm and quiet. And Jack Frost has painted the leafless trees to resemble classic holiday cards of the 1800s. Schools are closed today, so the roads are quiet, children are sledding and snowmen are waving from front yards.

Mt. Baker Ski Area is open with 38 inches of new snow, 122 inches at the base and powder everywhere! People are saying Mt. Baker currently has the best ski conditions in the continental U.S.  Lift ticket prices are also among the most reasonable here. Weekday rates are $46 for adult and $35 for youth. Get more ski & snowboard details at www.mtbaker.us. For cross-country, snow-shoeing, snowmobile and sledding check out our snow sports page, under Things to Do.

Then cap it off by gazing out the window with a nice, steaming mug of hot cocoa.

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Make Plans Now for Summer Sailing Adventures

December 15th, 2011 by Annette

Although the weather outside is frightful, it will soon be so delightful, and now is the time to dream of a summer sailing adventure in the Northwest. Bellingham, WA is the perfect place to board a small-ship cruise through the San Juan Islands. Many unique boats offer a range of possibilities from May through October. I was lucky enough to experience two this past year.

The largest of the Bellingham fleet is the majestic Schooner Zodiac, with the tallest working mainsail on the West Coast of America. One step aboard and the feel of nautical history surrounded me. I instantly admired the enormous wood masts, the spacious wood deck and the vintage helm. The view below deck is even more impressive. Originally built for the Johnson & Johnson family in 1924, the Zodiac has been meticulously restored with polished trim, fixtures, bookcases and tables. Sleeping berths and cabins can accommodate up to 20 passengers for overnight sails.

Trips on the Zodiac focus on a variety of themes throughout the summer, including wine tasting, brew pub hopping, lighthouses, photography, even a women only adventure. Passengers learn to raise and lower the massive sails, take the helm and man the charts. Of course everyone looks forward to the dinner bell, as hearty meals pour forth from the galley. For me, the ultimate moment of relaxation was sitting quietly with a steaming mug on deck at daybreak, watching the sun rise over Lopez Island with glassy water in the foreground and the glow of a lantern overhead, while the rest of the world was a million miles away.

Each guest has an opportunity to take a shift as lookout at the bow.

 

Nothing beats the quiet of this moment.

 

Another meticulously restored wooden boat is the Motor Vessel David B, operated by Jeffrey and Christine Smith of Northwest Navigation. What the  Zodiac offers in spaciousness, the David B provides in adorable coziness. It is a 65-foot workboat, built in 1929, that has been converted to carry up to 6 overnight passengers for relaxed luxury cruises in 4 inviting cabins. Two key features endear passengers to the David B: her antique engine (Jeffrey’s baby) and her antique wood burning stove (Christine’s baby). The couple bought the boat in 1998 and lovingly restored it to begin offering trips in 2006. Each cruise emphasizes nature, local history and gourmet cooking.

The David B ready to set sail.

“No pre-made bread is ever served on the David B,” says Christine. Each morning she wakes up at 5 a.m., to light the fire have coffee ready by 6:00 (for the early risers), homemade muffins at 8:00, and bread rising while Jeffrey takes passengers ashore at mid-morning. By lunchtime the cabin smells delectable, and the table is set with china for a feast.  Christine also takes special care to serve local Northwest ingredients, which are plentiful in the summer months. For us, she prepared Coho salmon from Vis Seafoods, Romano beans from Joe’s Gardens, potato salad with fresh Quark cheese from Appel Farms, and Apple Bubbly from BelleWood Acres – as well as Christine’s famous sourdough rolls! All the while we drifted past the 1600-foot, deep-green, forested cliffs of Lummi Island. Ahhhh.

My family and I have taken cruises on the giant ships to Alaska, and they have their merits, but small-ship cruising is a completely different experience. It is so personal, friendly and authentic.

Boats depart from two locations in Bellingham: either the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven, or Squalicum Harbor. Additional skippered charter vessels include Gato Verde, Shawmanee, Mystic Sea Charters and Sail the San Juans. If you’re traveling from a distance, you may want to spend a night on land before or after the cruise. Many hotels in Bellingham offer overnight parking, bag check and transportation to the boats. Waterfront hotels include the Fairhaven Village Inn, Chrysalis Inn & Spa, and Hotel Bellwether.

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