One of the many great aspects of Bellingham are the assortment of trails that one can hike.  My favorite is in Fairhaven. This is the Interurban Trail that will take you all the way to Arroyo Park(1.8 miles) and Larrabee State Park(6.6 miles).
I usually catch it at 10th and Donovan and make my way westerly down to the edge of Bellingham Bay. This path is a level cleared path, landscaped with dense brush and foliage and old trees. Along this path, Padden Creek passes through on its way to the Bay, hydrating all the vegetation.   I love the quietness of this path.  Except for the distant horn of the train, you can hear the leaves fall, the dewdrops as they hit the ground, the pitter patter of squirrels and rabbits.  Peaceful and serene.

Along the way you hit the off leash dog park, it is set down in a large bowl well protected from the streets and elements.   Usually I’ll have my Jezebelle with me and will have to sit a good while to watch her romp and play.  One can’t help but stop and watch the interaction between the pups. I’m convinced this is therapy.

Go a  little bit further and you reach the Heron Nesting Colony. From February through
summer, the colony will be alive with the Heron and their young nesting, breeding and teaching their young.

At the west end is Marine park and the Bay with its views of Lummi Island.  On this particular morning it is beautifully fogged in.

This is how I start my day each and every day.  With views like this, with sounds of nature, with the play of my dog and others.  I never tire of this route, or for that matter any of the trails around Bellingham.  They change every day, with every step.  There is always a new color to see,  a new sound or scent, a new experience.  Like I said,  I start each and every day with a hike and so tomorrow will bring a new day and a new trail.         Happy Hiking!

Winding along Bellingham Bay and traveling between Fairhaven and Burlington is Chuckanut Drive.  A two-lane road lined with thick, lustrous forest of old growth cedar, maple, and the beautiful Madrone,to mention a few, plus hiking trails, a State Park and,of course, stunning Bellingham Bay views and views of the San Juan Islands.

This is truly a scenic route, that given the choice of taking I-5 or Chuckanut, hands down Chuckanut Drive. It will take you a tad longer, but believe me it’s well worth it and you’ll arrive at your destination more relaxed for it.  I actually made this drive about 3 times this week, two in the rain and one on a bright, sun filled day.  Every day was different and had its own unique beauty and I did not tire of the drive, rather I found myself marveling at how each day the scenery changed and I felt I was looking at a different landscape each time. That is what is so remarkable about this drive, whether you’re passing through the darkened, tunnel-like bends of the road or open bay view vistas,  Chuckanut Drive is an endless art masterpiece.

Many do call Chuckanut Drive home, as the area just south of Fairhaven is dotted with residential properties along the Drive itself, high up on Chuckanut Crest or waterfront properties down below on Cove Rd. or Pleasant Bay.  The current average sale price for Chuckanut homes is $990,000 and fourteen currently listed properties holding steady at an average of  $1.2mil..  When you make this drive you will see why the real estate here is high-end and there is not much fluctuation in these prices.

As I stated earlier, Chuckanut is an artistic masterpiece of its own and thus there are art galleries and shops along the Drive showcasing local artists attempts to recreate this beauty; oil paintings, watercolors, photography, and sculpture. It’s difficult to not want to take a piece of Chuckanut home with you!   Oh, and at the south end of the road you have to stop and enjoy a sunset dinner at the The Oyster Bar. Fine dining at its best or have a glass wine while taking in the view.

And at this time of year, it is even more spectacular with the autumn colors in full bloom, leaves adrift, a slight chill in the air, this calls for a romantic drive with top down and wind blowing through your hair……

For more information about Chuckanut Drive real estate or Bellingham Homes for Sale, feel free to contact me direct at 360-303-3898.

I look forward to speaking with you.

Thanks to happy reader Sonia for submitting the following question, which made it really easy to come up with today’s post!

“We’re looking at moving there in the next two years and are curious about  things to do during the REAL rainy season. We live in Florida and have visited the area around Bellingham in the Summer, Winter and Fall.”

I’m glad you asked, Sonia. It is no secret that it rains in Washington. Sometimes it rains a lot…for days and days. That is just the way it is.  And while to some that may seem like a downside to living here, it is, in my opinion, a perfectly reasonable trade-off when you consider the lack of poisonous bugs, snakes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes,  locust swarms and dragons, etc. so prevalent elsewhere in the country.  The reward is reaped in the Spring, Summer and Fall, when the mild temperatures and unparalleled beauty of the natural landscape make life in the Northwest feel like a well-earned privilege. Still, it is important to know how to cope with those dreary, cloudy days, and so I give you….

Top 10 Ways to Beat the Rain…

(and how they’ve become the roots of our economy)

#1 Drink Coffee: It should go without saying that Washington State is known as a place where people appreciate coffee. Given the potential for rain-induced lethargy, it is no wonder that large coffee companies like Starbucks, Tully’s, Seattle’s Best Coffee (now a Starbucks subsidiary) Woods Coffee and Tony’s (my personal favorites) are based here.

#2 Drink Beer: When coffee just won’t do it, bring on the cavalry. Washington is home to hundreds of breweries, ranging from small, regional brewpubs like Bellingham’s Chuckanut and Boundary Bay breweries, medium-sized operations like Elysian and Lazy Boy, to full-scale production heavies like Pyramid and Redhook. Those are just the tip of the iceberg- there are at least 71 functioning micro-breweries in Washington State. In fact, the nation’s very first micro was based in Washington… We love our beer here.

#3 Go Shopping: When the clouds and rain weigh heavy and dark….why not go hide inside a giant, well-lit building and spend some money! Along with numerous malls, Washington State is home-base to retail titans like Costco, Nordstrom and REI.

#4 Work on your computer: Washington is one of the most tech-centric places in the world. In addition to Microsoft’s colossal home campus in Redmond ( it has its own MLS area code), the region features headquarters of tech giants like Zillow, Amazon, RealNetworks, and Expedia.

#5 Go shopping on your computer: For efficiency’s sake, why not combine a #3 and #4…or all of the above, for that matter.

#6 Go to a game: With Seattle being the home of professional* sports teams like the Mariners, Seahawks and the Sounders, hardcore fans have learned to suck it up and cheer on their teams regardless of the weather. In the case of the Mariners, Safeco Field’s retractable roof prevents the rain from harming the dainty threads and manicured coifs of visiting Yankees fans… while Seahawks and Sounders loyalists at Quest Field are tougher than Postal workers, having learned to drink their way through any kind of weather, be it rain, sleet, or snow.

* I use that term loosely

#7 Make a record: Garages and basements are great for hiding from the weather. Just ask Jimi Hendrix…and whoever is left alive from local bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, Modest Mouse, Death Cab For Cutie…etc.  The list goes on and on…Though Seattle’s music scene hasn’t been on the front page as much since the mid 90′s, there is still a strong and vibrant community of musicians throughout the region, boosted by local record companies like Sub-Pop and the World’s Greatest Radio Station, Seattle’s KEXP.

#8 Go diving: This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!”  If you’re gonna get wet, you might as well get REALLY wet. The Puget Sound area is known among the clinically insane as one of the best places to scuba dive in the world. There are dive shops everywhere…which is pretty much the extent of my knowledge…because I’m not a crazy person.

#9 Go to the gym: I find the rainy days to be great for getting a good work-out.  I don’t have a joke for this one…  It’s just a good, solid idea.

#10 Go somewhere else: When all else fails, it’s time to bail. The really rainy period (generally between February and January [sic]) is the time to consider an escape to some place warmer and drier. A little break is all it takes to clear your head and remember how much you love it here during the Spring and Summer. Is it any coincidence then that one of the World’s largest airplane manufacturers is based here?  I can just imagine the founders of Boeing sitting around drinking beer and coffee one fateful day saying,” You know what would be great? A vacation! But how are we gonna get there…?”

Special bonus answer: Write a blog! It happens to be raining today. So I am wrting this article at Woods Coffee in downtown Bellingham…So, obviously, I am doing numbers 1 and 4, and I have every intention of transitioning into  #2, possibly after #9. Let it never be said that I fail to practice what I preach!

Thanks for reading! Please leave comments or suggestions below, e-mail me at rob.leroy@exprealty.com, or call me at 206.883.6668 …and yes, you CAN hire me as your real estate agent!

If you’re on Facebook, you can join my fan page for daily updates by clicking the banner below.

Originally published at www.TheRealEstateNovelist.com

Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.

The place looked very cool from the outside, obviously a custom design intended for its hillside perch overlooking  the dark blue waters of Chuckanut Bay.  At the very least, I figured, I could get some great pics of the bay from the deck, which looked to be a good 60 feet higher than the road, offering unobstructed views of the water and the islands beyond.

Once inside, I was so impressed with the creative custom design and the impressive flood of natural light, and of course the view, that I thought I’d better write about it.  The design does an impeccable job of maximizing the West-facing view by integrating several large windows with a large, entertainment-sized deck. The layout is open, with the kitchen and main living area flowing together nicely with the deck space wrapping around the North and Western sides of the house.

Click the thumbnails below for full-sized pictures. Click here to see the full collection.

View Map

This home sits just off of Chuckanut Drive about 5 minutes south of Bellingham’s Fairhaven neighborhood and features 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, with a total of 2200 square feet. The 2006 design is eco-friendly, featuring abundant natural light and radiant heat under the polished concrete and bamboo flooring. Just behind the home is the Bellingham inter-urban bike and walking trail that extends connects Fairhaven to Larrabee State Park. The current list price is $779,000.

For more information on this home, or other Chuckanut or Fairaven real estate e-mail me at rob.leroy@exprealty.com, or call me at 206.883.6668 …and yes, you CAN hire me as your real estate agent!

If you’re on Facebook, you can join my fan page for daily updates by clicking the banner below.

Originally published at www.TheRealEstateNovelist.com

Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.

Chuckanut Drive’s winding roadway hugs the hills between Bellingham’s Fairhaven neighborhood South to the wide valley North of Mt. Vernon.  Regardless of the weather, the 30+ minute drive shows off the absolute best of Northwest Washington’s geographical character, including  incomparable views of Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands, and a peak at Mt. Baker at the Southern end.

Of course, words fail to capture the wondrous majesty of this truly unique highway. So, I took some pictures.  This past week, in spite of the fact that the Winter Olympics have been happening right up the road, has been unbelievably beautiful. With clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid 60′s, conditions were set to get some truly fabulous pictures.

Click on the thumbnails below to see full-size pictures. You can also click here to see the complete collection of pictures I took.

The pictures are in order from South to North, between Mt. Vernon and Bellingham.

Thanks for reading!

For more information on Chuckanut Drive or Chuckanut Drive real estate, e-mail me at rob.leroy@exprealty.com, or call me at 206.883.6668 …and yes, you CAN hire me as your real estate agent!

If you’re on Facebook, you can join my fan page for daily updates by clicking the banner below.

Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.

The Best Western Lakeway Inn: Situated right in the middle of town, just off of I-5, the Lakeway Inn is not your average Best Western. They’ve got a high quality restaurant, conference space, a nice indoor pool, and a great bar (Poppe’s ) with live jazz and one of the best Happy Hours in town.  It is about a 10-15 minute walk to downtown and has easy access to everything.  They also happen to offer special rates to clients of mine who are in town to look for homes… 714 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 (360)671-1011

The Lakeway Inn

The Fairhaven Village Inn: Nestled in the heart of the Old Fairhaven historic district, the Fairhaven Village Inn is a cozy (22 rooms) and inviting slice of Bellingham history.  The Inn is across the street from the Fairhaven Village Green Park, which features a farmer’s market, outdoor movies, and several shops and restaurants nearby.  You won’t have to bother with a car here, as everything you’ll need is within easy walking distance. Dozens of unique and boutique little restaurants, shops and walking paths are right outside the door. If you do feel like a drive, downtown Bellingham is just 5-minutes to the north, as is Western Washington University, with the fabled Chuckanut Drive beginning it’s long and winding road just a few short miles to the south. 1200 10th St, Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 733-1311

The Fairhaven Village Inn

The Chrysalis Inn and Spa: If you want luxury and unparalleled pampering, try the Chrysalis Inn, also in Fairhaven.  Overlooking Bellingham Bay, the Chrysalis features the very finest of everything. The restaurant and wine bar, Fino, is fantastic, and the views are breathtaking, looking west over the Fairhaven boardwalk, Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.  And then there’s the spa….Spending a day here will add years to your life, leaving you feeling younger and more vibrant than ever, like a real-life Benjamin Button… a character whose movie, ironically, took away what felt like years of my life…(Awwww…I kid David Fincher. It was pretty good…but 2 1/2 hours? Really? I finished college in less time than that!) 804 10th Street Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 756-1005

The Chrysalis Inn & Spa

The Hotel Bellwether: Well, you can tell right off the bat that this place is pretty swanky…the name just sounds fancy.  Anytime you say the word “hotel” before the actual name, you know it’s gonna be nice…and expensive. the Hotel Bellwether is both. Situated on Bellingham Bay (almost literally) the Bellwether is a classic luxury hotel in every way.  With grand rooms, an outstanding restaurant,  the popular Harborside Bistro (whose talented young chef happens to be a close friend) and a location that defines the word “exceptional”, the Hotel Bellwether is the kind of place you’ll want to include in your boring family slide-shows for years to come. Stay there for the weekend…remember it for a lifetime.  One Bellwether Way, Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 392-3100

The Hotel Bellwether

Follow these links to read Part 1: Breakfast, Part 2: Lunch, Part 3: Dinner, Part 4: Dive Bars, Part 5: Live Bars, Part 6: Classy Pubs

Thanks for reading!  Please leave your comments below. If you have any questions about Bellingham, WA or real estate, in general, please feel free to email me directly at rob.leroy@exprealty.com or call me at 206.883.6668

This post simultaneously published by Rob LeRoy at theRealEstateNovelist.com

Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.

I’m a big fan of hiking. I don’t do it nearly as often as I would like to, but such is life.  My personal favorite hiking area is Blanchard Hill. It’s got it all: Views, lakes, forested sections and open areas. More variety than any other hike I’ve found.  Located on Chuckanut Mountain, (south of Bellingham between I-5 and Chuckanut Drive) Blanchard Hill is one of the area’s most beautiful natural landscapes and offers some of the best hikes and views around.  With several trails, Blanchard Hill offers hikes ranging from relaxing and quiet to slightly grueling.

There are multiple trails and access points, depending on the level of distance and difficulty you are looking for. It is possible to hike from the bottom, via Chuckanut Drive, or drive to a lookout about halfway up, then continue to the peak from there. There are a couple of small lakes (Lily and Lizard) along the way, depending on which trails you take.

From the parking area, the trail (part of the famous Pacific Northwest Trail) winds up toward a series of bat caves, and then up to the top, known as Oyster Dome. The views from Oyster Dome are unparalleled. Be warned, it’s a tough hike, but worth every sweaty step. The reviews I’d read before my first attempt sounded daunting, but it wasn’t too bad. My 11 year-old daughter made it up just fine… She also had no problem sitting right up near the edge at the top. I, however, clung to a nearby tree and occasionally peaked over the side. What can I say, I’m afraid of heights and I love to hike. I’m also afraid of water but love being on boats. To each their own, as they say…

For more information on Chackanut mountain and Blanchard hill, click here to see a map of the area.  To get to the Samish overlook parking area ,take I-5 to the Alger Exit #240,  head west on Lake Samish Road. Take the first Left onto Barrel Springs Road and follow it for 3/4 of a mile until you see a large gravel road  and a sign that says “Blanchard Hill trail system” Follow that road up the hill. It takes about 20 minutes, or so. You’ll pass some parking lots that access trails. Keep heading up. For your first time, your best bet is to go with someone who’s been there before. It’s pretty confusing- one of those places I know how to get to, but have difficulty describing. It’s definitely worth it, though!

Be sure to check out Bellingham’s Backcountry Essentials for hiking gear and micro-brews!

This post simultaneously published by Rob LeRoy at theRealEstateNovelist.com

Rob LeRoy is a Seattle real estate agent and social media marketing coach with eXp Realty.

A brand new listing off of Cove Road, off of Chuckanut Drive offers your vacant land clients a chance to build their dream home in one of the most desirable areas for  Bellingham Real Estate!

I’ve attached a link to photos of the lot as well as a 360 degree tour of the lot.   All the hard work has been done for you, with a level lot, 3 bedroom septic system installed, and a framed view of the bay listed at $350,000.  It’s the last available lot in this short plat, and my client is  ready to move on to the next project!

Listing #29084420

• Over an acre

• City water, electric, at the lot

• Bellingham schools

• 4 private beach accesses, including boat launch down Cove Road

Thumbnails of the lot:   http://www.tours.buyertours.com/Bellingham_Chuckanut_BeaconRoad_311/index.html
Link to the 360 tour
Let me know if you have any questions, and thanks for taking a look!

See you out in the field!

There are two gated communities located along Chuckanut Drive and some of the most expensive properties in Whatcom County are located here.