In need of a little downtime after our two-week stay in the city, we headed a few hours north to a small state park on Padilla Bay. Located between Burlington and Bellingham, Bay View State Park was the perfect place for us to get back to nature. At the time of our stay, the dry camping loop was nearly empty and as a result, it was blissfully quiet.
Our site was small and had no sun for solar, but also NO traffic noise!
Per the usual in this part of the country, it rained for half of the week which kept our adventure meter on the low side. Between rain showers, we got out one day for a short stroll on the small state park beach, another day for a walk on the nearby shore trail, and another day, we tackled a little uphill on the Pacific Northwest Trail.
The tiny state park beach had some great island views
More island views from the Pacific Northwest Trail
Stopped to buy some corn from a road side stand and caught this view
Tim’s birthday fell at the end of our stay and to celebrate we visited three local breweries. We both agreed that the favorite was Garden Path Fermentation where they specialize in unique barrel aged brews using wild yeast and local ingredients. The night ended with some indulgent and delicious burgers and fries from Bastion Brewing that really hit the spot. Sadly, the ice cream place we tried after dinner was already closed for the season.
Enjoying some excellent tasters at Garden Path Fermentation
While not the most exciting week, it was a pleasant stay that put us in the perfect position to head east to the mountains!
4 comments
My dad used to take us fishing on Padilla Bay. You found a beautiful quiet gem in the WA park system. Were you subject to the Out-Of-State surcharge WA has started to charge? WA is getting to be an expensive place to visit.
Bay View State Park is where we stay either coming or going from Lopez Island every summer. If you ever get that way again, check out nearby Bow-Edison. It’s a tiny wide-spot in the road with the most outrageous local food purveyors—cafes, bakeries, blueberry farms, cheesemakers. We ride our bikes from the park and it’s about 7-8 miles each way.. You would love it! I’m putting Garden Path Fermentation on our list. :-) https://ravenandchickadee.com/2016/10/road-san-juan-islands/
Bay View was one of the first places I stayed for a week after starting my full-timing. I really enjoyed it, so it was fun to read about someone else getting to know the place.
Another little-known gem of WA State Parks is Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, on the Green River. I could sit by that river and dip my feet in there all day!
Beautiful island views – love those skies!!! We always need a nature fix after time in the city. So wonderful to have that balance in our lives. Happy belated birthday wishes to Tim. Bummer he didn’t get his celebration ice cream :-(