Whidbey Island, WA

Yesterday my travel buddy and I drove south to Whidbey Island, which is a very long (62 miles) but narrow island just south of Fidalgo Island. The Deception Pass Bridge connects these two islands. Whidbey is relatively flat but has spectacular shorelines, picturesque farming and fishing communities, an abundance of aquatic life, and colorful flora and fauna. There are several small waterfront towns, which cater to artists and tourists alike. No matter where you are on the island, you'll be awestruck by the sweeping views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula, beaches, forests, prairies, and colorful homesteads. Whidbey Island is one of my favorite places to explore when I'm in Washington. Come take a look...

The stunning Deception Pass Bridge, completed in 1935, connects the two islands...

Here is a typical beach at Ebey's Landing National Historic Preserve...

There are lots of hiking trails on the island...

...which lead you high above the water...

...and give you gorgeous views of farmland and Mt. Baker...

The old pier in Coupeville, a small artist colony...

Views across the calm waters...

Here are some more colorful sights from one of my favorite towns - Coupeville...

You can drive the entire length of the island and then catch a ferry over to the mainland or to the Olympic Peninsula. But no matter what time of year you go, Whidbey Island is a lovely destination.

Anacortes, WA - Sunsets

You just can't beat the sunsets and skies here in Anacortes. Here are a few shots of the setting sun I took yesterday from Washington Park...

Fairhaven, WA

So I headed up to Anacortes for spring break with one of my travel buddies. We arrived Saturday night and woke up yesterday morning to warm sunlight streaming in through the windows. What do you do on a sunny day in Washington? Well, you don't stay indoors! We headed north up the scenic Chuckanut Highway and ended up in the quaint seaside community of Fairhaven, just a little south of Bellingham. It is a darling little town with numerous restored brick buildings that house a variety of colorful restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. The residents are very proud of their unique community and have taken great care in preserving its historical character. Take a look at what you'll find if you stroll the streets of downtown Fairhaven...

Parking is easy to find and free and you won't run out of things to do or see in this place. Next time you're up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, be sure to stop in at Fairhaven...