Aug 30 - Birch Bay, and Chuckanut Scenic Byway, Washington

  We hung out this morning, doing catch-up.  Headed out after lunch, and drove over to nearby Birch Bay, driving along the road edging the bay, and over to Birch Bay State Park.  The tide was out, so the "beach" was all round, smooth rocks.  I guess people were crabbing, or whatever they do.  A few boats were beached, slanted on their sides.  We spent a little time there, watching the birds, and enjoying the view--there are islands, with mountains on them, on the near horizon.
  Then we drove over to the Chuckanut Scenic Byway.  Route 11, which runs along the ocean shoreline, with high sections, and some lower ones.  Our first stop was at an Art and Sculpture Gallery.  It was the best art gallery I've ever seen.  Amazing variety of really good quality art.  Mostly local artists.  We stopped at various beautiful overlooks, and ended up at Larrabee State Park, which overlooks the Samish Bay.  Amazing shore line--high rocks overlooking the water, overlooking the islands.  We hiked to a lookout point, and sat for a while.  It filled up my senses--just like the John Denver song.  The feel of the sun, and the gentle breeze, the beautiful view, the rocks beneath us, the water before us, the sound of the lapping waves and the smell of the ocean.  What a feeling. 
  Since it was dinner time, and Peter needed to find a Walmart, to get some meds, we found a nice Mexican restaurant, in Bellingham.  The decor in this restaurant was unique.  And all of the waitresses were Latin, all with blouses that slide off the shoulders.  Good food.

Birch Bay photos:

Larabee State Park and Chuckanut Scenic Byway photos:

Lilia's Mexican Restaurant photos: