With Mount Baker in the backyard, singletrack galore, and its oceanfront vistas and vibe, the state of Washington's Whatcom County is a surf break away from being king of the West Coast. One rate, howling afternoon last October, the county captured the crown. Bellingham, Washington is not a surf town. Thanks to the surrounding mountains and bay, there is no shortage of outdoor opportunities, but millions of years ago, the San Juan Islands squashed any hopes of a decent swell. Read full story here.