We escaped to sunny Bellingham while other parts of the state were reporting rain, wind, and/or fires. In the early morning, with Woods Coffee in hand, Jared, Marmot Miles and I enjoyed a walk of the historic Bellingham waterfront including Whatcom Creek and park. After breakfast at The Little Cafe, we hiked the impressive South Bay Trail from Fairhaven to near Bellingham which ended up being 2.8 miles round trip and included the trail out over the sound. So many families out enjoying the sun and even swimming! We then headed south on Chuckanut Drive and stopped at the Chuckanut Sculpture Garden - incredible! We had never enjoyed this little haven with its quiet waterfalls and beautiful gardens. With picnic in hand, we then hiked the Rock Trail - oh my - it is a great hike on a hot day with its plentiful shade and impressive trail work (thank you again WTA volunteers!). This is definetly a "my backpack" hike! A bonus is to hike the trail that starts at the parking lot and heads straight up maybe 200 feet to the highest point in the State Park with nice views. We actually drove to Bellingham the night before, walked around old town and then spontaneously joined dozens of families for movie night in Fairhaven Park - where one of my all-time favorite movies was playing. We decided it was our theme for the weekend: UP!

Walked this on a Sunday morning. A lot of people out for their morning jog. Well traveled trail with many stops to rest and enjoy the views of the bay. We started in Fairhaven and went to downtown Bellingham. I suspect in the summer this hike is all the more popular due to the accessibility.

Walked the South Bay Trail from the Taylor Dock on the south end north to Bellingham proper Monday morning. The trail follows the old Bellingham & Skagit Interurban Railway (B&SI) grade including the rebuilt trestles out in the water north of the Taylor Dock. Total mileage up and back is a little over 4 miles. Trail surface is well packed gravel. The area is urban but the trail keeps to the railroad grade and maintains it's separation from suburbia. The views of Bellingham Bay from the entire trail are beautiful. Sunsets are amazing. The trail can also be accessed at Boulevard Park which has a nice beach, kids play equipment and a nice, local, Woods Coffee shop. The south end has good access to Fairhaven. The north end runs right into Bellingham near the farmer's market and Boundary Bay Brewery. A very nice, relatively easy walk with lots to see.