Driving the 90 miles or so back to Seattle from Bellingham, just south of the Canadian Border, I usually take the fast Interstate Freeway. But this sunny, languid Sunday called for a more leisurely trip along the Pacific Northwest Coast.
The name Fairhaven conjures up a quiet old seafaring town, and that is just the impression one gets driving the country-like roads that curve unhurriedly through the residential areas of this old quarter of Bellingham before joining the coastal highway known as Chuckanut Drive.
For 21 miles, this two lane road follows the coastline, clinging to the face of the Chuckanut Mountain as it descends steeply into Puget Sound. It winds between huge granite rocks and towering cedars.
The trees frame magnificent views of the blue waters of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. One might catch sight of an eagle soaring high above or a cruise ship heading for Alaska. There are numerous places to stop and admire the view and catch glimpses of the railroad track far below. The train ride along that track, from Seattle to Vancouver is itself spectacular.
6 comments:
Louis, I have always love the country road and love to drive my old classic Volvo on such road. But the problem ib Malaysia now the country road is as busy and at time not safe to take our time driving.
Have a nice day.
Hello Idrus,
I think you'd enjoy driving your classic Volvo along Chuckanut drive. Generally speaking, Washington drivers are the most courteous and tolerant drivers you are ever likely to share a road with. Quite unlike the drivers in, for example, Southern California.
Beautiful pictures! Lovely blue skies! Gotta be summer?
Hello "Adirya",
Welcome to Hopscotch.
"Gotta be" the Pacific Northwest: we may not often see the sky here but when it does appear, it is matchless in its purity and blueness.
Louis,
I am enjoying the ride with you. Through the eyes of your camera lens with your superb description.
Hi Zawi,
Glad you are enjoying my posts.
Thanks for the compliments on the photography. I make no claims to being a photographer though: I use a relatively simple point and shoot camera.
The more I see of the Pacific Northwest, the more i realize how picturesque it is.
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