Tuesday, March 15, 2011

chuckanut drive...

Who wouldn't want to drive along Chuckanut Drive?  Even the name is inviting!  It happens to be a winding and scenic highway along the base of the Chuckanut Mountains...a road the follows the shoreline and is a few hundred feet above sea level.


It begins at Bellingham, WA in the north and ends twenty miles south at Burlington.  It was built in the late 1800's as a one-lane dirt logging road.  Eventually the road was paved and became part of the Pacific Trail.  In 1931 a less curvy and more direct highway was built inland...


...and Chuckanut Drive became a scenic highway.  Funny thing...we live so close by and yet have never really taken the time to explore this route.  It seems we are always in a hurry...zipping down the I-5.


On Sunday we had plenty of time.  And so we stopped by Larabee State Park...and enjoyed the ocean views.


Boats were passing through the sound...but other than that, things were quiet around the bay.

A few miles further up the winding highway we arrived at our destination...Chuckanut Manor.


We had had a table with a view...


...and fine seafood too!  (When dining with other bloggers, it's OK to take pictures of the plates.)


The food disappeared in short order...but we lingered on.  The view and the conversation never seemed to end.


It was the ideal place to watch the sun set...on our first day of extended daylight hours.  Chuckanut Drive...a perfect Sunday afternoon outing! 

20 comments:

  1. What a beautiful location! The plates of food are pretty, too. It certainly does look chilly, though.

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  2. I've always loved the name of this drive. I like to say it out loud. Beautiful photos Judy!

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  3. We did this drive once and it was spectacular. Your dinner with friends must have been so enjoyable.

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  4. You always have the most beautiful scenic photos on your blog. I'm declaring your blog "Most Serene" that I read just because of the gorgeous locations you share with us!

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  5. What a great drive! We really want to visit WA and your choices for dinner looked delicious!!

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  6. I've seen the sign for Chuckanut Drive, but have always been on a hurry on the I-5. You've got me wanting to slow down next time and have a look at what's along the way - and maybe have some fish and chips!

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  7. It was a chilly day ...and not really the kind of day to go walking in the parks but the scenery can't be beat. We most enjoy that drive on a warm autumn day ..with the leaves from the maple trees floating to the ground.

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  8. What a wonderful name! and how good that seafood looks too!

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  9. We are now wishing we had taken the drive through Larabee Park as we are considering that as a stopping point for a few days in the near future. Your photos are awesome.

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  10. I agree...a perfect Sunday afternoon, only with many reminders of meeting a very special man in my life and lingering on those beaches many years ago.
    And now to revisit the same places with more good friends who can share the life time memories.
    Where it Target?

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  11. Happy belated birthday to Ellen. Loved your story about her on previous post. Today's post was so very interesting. I love great picture of a place I have never seen and probably never will have the opportunity. Never been any further west than Michigan or Texas.
    QMM

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  12. Love the scenic route! The name is great too!

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  13. This is such a beautiful location. The views are magnificent.

    And, the food looks delicious!

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  14. Let's recap....good friends, the ocean, seafood dinner...sheesh! Does it get any better than that?!!!! This ocean soul is experiencing a teeny twinge of envy...okay, maybe a big twinge!!! LOL.

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  15. Beautiful photos, thanks for the reminder that I need to slow down and take this drive more often.

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  16. So pretty, I think I've been on that road, it would of been a very long time ago, it sure looks familar.

    Well it was wonderful seeing those photos...and your lunch/dinner looked amazingly delish!!!

    :)

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  17. The scenery, food and friendly gathering all look delightful!

    I love how the West has so many scenic, long winding drives along the coast! We don't have that many here in the East.

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  18. You certainly live in a beautiful place. I'm so glad you got to "party" with Ellen. What a blessing to her to have you all there!

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  19. Just ooooooooing and ahhhhhhhing here!

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  20. I was right with you on this scenic trip. I don't think I would have left any restaurant with a view like that one had, and surrounded with good friends. Perfect evening in my book!

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson