I’ve heard that true friendship is not about being inseparable, but about being separated and finding nothing changes. This is how exactly how I fell about my friend Carol. We’ve had long stretches where we talked daily and others where we hadn’t communicated for months but when we get together, we pick right back up where we left off. She’s intelligent and always has a ton of balls in the air, but this doesn’t stop her from making herself available to help out and she does so with a good attitude and an easy laugh that make her a joy to spend time with.
On short notice, we invited ourselves to “mooch-dock” in her driveway in Bellingham, WA. She spends part of her year there in the home she grew up in and will soon live there year-round.
Carol was our main reason for going, but while there, we fell in love with this area.
We were there in early September 2021 so the weather was perfect and Carol showcased Bellingham as a playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
Here is what we enjoyed while there:
- Walking Whatcom Falls Park
- Boating Bellingham Bay
- Boating and SUP on Whatcom lake
- A Scenic Drive followed by hiking near Mount Baker (separate post to follow)
- Hertz Trail at the SE end of Whatcom lake
- Downtown Bellingham and walking the South Bay Trail
- Departing to the south via Chuckanut Drive and Larrabee State Park
WALKING WHATCOM FALLS PARK
This 241 acre park, typical of the Washington area, has deep treelined paths in that brilliant Kermit green color. Below is a picture of Whatcom Falls which is easily accessible. The trail descends gently to a pretty stone bridge built around 1939.
We could have returned several more days and not repeated a path as the park boasts 4 sets of waterfalls and several miles of well maintained trails for walking or biking. Whatcom Falls Park has a little something for everyone – duck ponds, playgrounds, a fish hatchery, BBQ/picnic grounds, and even an off-leash dog area.
Whatcom Falls
BOATING BELLINGHAM BAY
One of my favorite things about travel is serendipity! We were at Carol’s when her brother Craig was ready to take his newly restored 1953 Chris-Craft on its maiden voyage! What a thrill! We met Carol’s sister Nancy and her Los Angeles friend, Angela, at a restaurant in Bellingham for a quick drink and to pick up dinner. We headed for the docks and then jaws dropped as Craig invited us aboard his boat. What a beauty! Every component – down to literally each screw had been impeccably refinished and hand polished by Craig. The food was wonderful, the company even better and Craig’s boat, sensational.
Dinner “Cruise” 
BOATING AND SUP ON WHATCOM LAKE
Carol, her brother and her sister live within a few houses of one another and have Whatcom Lake views and lake access. To this end, they’ve accumulated a few toys over the years. Carol took us out on the family ski boat for a tour to the furthest end of the lake, regaling us with stories of her youth. The lakeshore homes in this area were picturesque and I don’t think I could tire of the ever-changing lake view from her living room window.
Later that afternoon, I settled in lakeside with a nice book while Doug and Carol geared up for more fun on the lake…stand-up paddleboards (SUPs).
View from Carol’s House
Whatcom Lake 
MOUNT BAKER
Carol had mentioned that less than an hours drive to the east of Bellingham stands Mount Baker, a heavily glaciated volcano in the Cascade Mountains, so we decided to go – and it was so spectacular it deserves its own post.
HERTZ TRAIL
When we returned from Mount Baker, Doug, Carol and I with Bailey in tow, walked 3 miles out and 3 miles back on the Hertz Trail. This level trail used to be part of the Bellingham & Eastern Railway making its grade, width, and scenery a wonderful multi-use path. Historical markers, cascading water, old growth trees, and Whatcom Lake views make this a great leg stretcher.
DOWNTOWN AND SOUTH BAY TRAIL
Downtown Bellingham has some wonderful indoor and outdoor patio dining. After a great meal take a stroll along the 2.5 mile South Bay Trail that connects downtown Bellingham to the Historic Fairhaven District to burn a few calories. This trail is mostly flat and full of locals and tourists alike who stroll, run, skate, bike, etc., along the waterfront, making it great for people watching.
Bay Trail View
CHUCKANUT SCENIC DRIVE AND LARABEE STATE PARK
During our visit, we’d seen and done so many different things that you wouldn’t think in this little town (population less than 90,000), there was still plenty more we could have done. Not only did its charming downtown have plenty of shopping, but the Bellingham area is also known to be one of the best mountain biking destinations in Washington if that’s more your speed.
There was no way to really thank Carol and her family for their hospitality, but we tried, said our “see-ya-soons”, and piled back into the RV for Carol’s parting gift…the Chuckanut Drive.
This 24 mile, 2-lane ribbon hugs the sheer sandstone cliffs of the Chuckanut Mountains and offers amazing views of the San Juan Islands and Chuckanut Bay. Doug enjoyed the challenge but I felt like I was white-knuckling it for the mere 7 miles that we drove before camping at the Larabee State Park.
Larabee Campground
Bellingham checked a lot of our retirement boxes – college town, lots of outdoor activities, an international airport, and moderate politics. We still wonder, in general, how we’d handle the area’s iron-grey skies and 150 precipitation days per year, but we really did enjoy this area a lot!
You don’t have to live there, though, to visit. I, for one, can’t wait to go back – I recommend you add it to your slightly-off-the-beaten-path bucket list!
