After a month in Canada, we crossed back into the States and spent a week exploring Bellingham.
Though I’ve always known of Bellingham as a “college town,” its accessible outdoors and proximity to nature defined our experience. Watcom Falls Park was an easy favorite. With 5.5 acres of wooded, hiking trails and waterfalls, we spent hours wandering around this park.
But it was scenic Chuckanut Drive that really stole the show. This twisting, narrow road hangs cliffside over the ocean, and is absolutely mesmerizing. As much as I loved driving Chuckanut, my favorite part wasn’t just navigating the twists & turns, or the incredible views… it was the stops along the way.
Clayton Beach is a hidden gem just off Chuckanut. It took a few tries, but we eventually found the (unmarked?) trailhead that takes you down, through the woods and over an active railroad track to this quiet, hidden beach.
And though schedules & limited parking kept us from stopping, Taylor Shellfish Farms’ Samish Bay Farm and Oyster Market looks like an amazing experience. Fresh seafood, picnic style on the beach? Yes please!
Downtown Bellingham also had some great food. Favorites included Fiamma Burger, Mallard Ice Cream (the Ghost Pepper & Honey ice cream was weird, but amaaaazing), and La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza.
Unfortunately, as great as Bellingham was, a few days into our stay Mogli got sick. Like, very sick 🤒 Like, everyone-say-goodbye-before-Mogli-goes-to-overnight-emergency-care sick 😔
Thankfully, after some fluids, food, and proper rest, he seemed to recover 🤷♂️
Just in time for us to leave Bellingham and head to Gig Harbor.
Where we stayed on an actual working farm! 🐓 🐐 🐑 🐷 🥳
Chickens, sheep, goats, and pigs, oh my!
The goats were super friendly. We fed them once, and immediately became fast friends. Every time we walked by, they’d come running. Always expecting food. Or head rubs.
We also got to feed the pigs 🐷
By the end of our time in Gig Harbor, Mogli had bounced back.
Whether it was having his own upstairs loft, or taking long walks around the yard, or befriending the goats, Mogli really seemed to thrive on the farm.
Next up, Oregon!