Don’t let cloudy mornings keep you inside — gorgeous late-summer afternoon sunshine can still be enjoyed all over The Pacific Northwest!

One way to get out and truly take in the beauty of Whatcom County or Skagit County is to rent a kayak and head out on the water for a few hours. You’ll get a view of Northwest lakes and mountain scenes that can’t be beat!

Some of the best places for kayaking are Lake Whatcom, Bellingham Bay, Lake Samish, Lake Padden, and in Skagit County, on Sixteen Lake. If you’ve kayaked in other locations that you’d recommend, please leave your reviews in the comments section!

Even though the temps are still brisk, sunny days in March can be excellent opportunities to get out and enjoy nature in The Pacific Northwest at its freshest. A great place to safely and easily take advantage of Whatcom County‘s natural beauty is to walk around Lake Padden. The maintained gravel trails only have a few medium slopes, and moms with strollers, walkers, joggers, and cyclists all share the 2.6 mile looped trail throughout the year. There is also a off-leash dog area nearby, as well as basketball courts, tennis courts, and other recreational activities as the weather continues to warm.

Residents of Bellingham‘s Samish neighborhood get great access to this recreational gem year-round. To find a great Samish home for you and your family, take a look at my free Northwest MLS home search.

Yes, the days are getting colder, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the pristine beauty of the Pacific Northwest — all while getting some good exercise and working off those holiday turkey dinners!

Whatcom County has a wide variety of hiking trails and walking paths, from the Interurban Trail (which connects Fairhaven with Larrabee State Park over near Chuckanut), to the path that loops around Lake Padden in the Samish neighborhood, to the easy trail connecting Downtown Bellingham to Boulevard Park in the South Hill area of Bellingham — there are plenty of options to choose from for all fitness levels.

For a full list of Bellingham trails, check out the City of Bellingham’s Trail Guide — and get out there!

Every September, Bellingham’s population grows by the thousands in just a few days as students return to Western Washington University for their fall courses.

Many students will choose to live on-campus in one of Western’s dorms, but others will choose to live off-campus in neighborhoods close-by. Happy Valley, Samish, York, and Sehome Neighborhoods are all very popular choices, as they offer easy travel options to campus, as well as close proximity to shopping.

Welcome back, students!

As summer winds down, plenty of people are making the most out of these perfect sunny days, and a popular place to play and relax is Larrabee State Park, off Chuckanut Drive.  With a miles of hiking trails, a long rocky shoreline full of tidepools to explore and a clear blue view of the San Juan Islands, Larrabee is fun for all ages.

Many homes in the Chuckanut area enjoy these same views and recreational activities right out their front door.  To find a home that’s perfect for you and your family, take a look at our free Bellingham MLS home search.

After a quick dip in Bellingham’s Lake Padden, this Australian Shepherd decided to help her owner cool off as well!  With a 2.6-mile trail looping around the lake, an 18-hole golf course, and an off-leash area for dogs to run and fetch to their hearts’ content, Lake Padden is a favorite for both humans and canines.

Located in the Samish neighborhood, Lake Padden is a great place for Bellingham residents to find relaxation and recreation.  And with well-maintained older homes and fabulous luxury residences nearby, Samish homeowners have the best of both worlds: comfortable Northwest living surrounded by boundless natural beauty.

To find out more about Samish real estate in Bellingham, Washington, give me a call or visit our Samish photo gallery!