Whatcom County

Activities include five challenging golf courses, a waterslide park, go-carts, bingo, bike riding, horseback riding and sandcastle building.

For the bird watchers, Birch Bay and nearby Blaine are a birders paradise." Birch Bay State Park and nearby Blaines Marine Park and Drayton Harbor are among the top birding spots on the Washington State Birding Trails Cascade Loop. This area boasts the largest heron rookery as well as a huge number of water fowl and shorebirds in the spring, fall and winter months. Along Birch Bay Drive are a number of spots for catching glimpses of nesting eagles.

A full service resort community, there's a range of lodging and camping options. Slow down and revitalize yourself in Birch Bay.

Beautifully framed by Mt. Baker to the east and Semiahmoo Bay and Georgia Strait to the west, it is the busiest border crossing point, known as the Peace Arch, between B.C. and Washington.

Located on the Semiahmoo Spit is Semiahmoo Resort. This world-class resort features a marina, pool, spa, fitness center, restaurants and championship golf courses. Semiahmoo Spit is also home to Semiahmoo Park, which features more than 300 acres of tideland and approximately 1.5 miles of level pathways ideal for such outdoor adventures as walking, biking, rollerblading, kayaking, clamming, sand sculpting, kite flying and picnicking. A historic seasonal ferry called the Plover shuttles passengers between Semiahmoo and the downtown area of Blaine.

Blaine and nearby Birch Bay are gaining an international reputation as a birding haven. The tide pools, estuaries and waterways attract thousands of geese, ducks, gulls, loons and shorebirds each year and recently made the Audubon Societys list as one of the states top birding destinations. Popular Drayton Harbor attracts a high population of loons as well as endangered species such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon and marbled murrelet.

Near downtown is Pioneer Park. This wooded setting is home to one of the finest collections of original pioneer log cabins in the Northwest. These eleven log cabins, built by the early pioneers of the region, sat alone in the early forests and rough clearings. To save them from destruction, they were moved to Ferndale from various locations to this site next to the Nooksack River. The public may view and tour these historic buildings in a village setting. These buildings and cabins are over 100 years old and illustrate vividly the strength and determination of the pioneer settlers, who carved a new life in the West.

Nearby, the Lynden Pioneer Museum gives a glimpse of the "simpler" life in the earlier days of this farming community. The museum features one of the largest collections of antique buggies in the U.S. plus a two-story replica of Lynden at the turn of the last century.

This is also a village that loves to celebrate life's simpler things. Throughout the year the community rolls out the red carpet with authentic festivals and events that showcases their heritage. The granddaddy celebration of them all is the Northwest Washington Fair each August. Rated one of the cleanest fairs in the state, you'll enjoy animal displays, home grown arts, food stalls plus top name entertainers.

The Island waters are popular for kayaking and Orca whales are often seen close to shore. Lummi Island is home to many artists and artisans who hold an Artist's Tour open house three times each year (Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the first weekend in December).

The Island also hosts a summer farmer's market, open Saturday mornings from May through September and within walking distance of the ferry. The market is an excellent source for both live crab & prawns plus organically grown fresh produce.

Just because this rural island is undeveloped does not mean there are no services. There are espresso shops; a country store; two full service restaurants - The Willows Inn Restaurant featuring organic fine dining with a spectacular San Juan Islands view, and the Beach Store Café, a fine little country bistro; a well appointed public library, post office, a charming country church and comfortable lodging including beachside rentals and bed and breakfasts.

Try these mile-by-mile map pages for more information:
I-5 to milepost 9, milepost 10-21, milepost 22-40, milepost 41-end of highway.

Point Roberts encompasses almost five square miles of peninsula and extends south from Canada. It is a small corner of the country cut off from the mainland by the 1846 Treaty of Washington which drew the interna­tional boundary between the U.S. and Canada at the 49th parallel. Point Roberts is separated from the rest of Whatcom County and Washington state by 23 driving miles through British Columbia. The community is about 30 minutes by car from Vancouver and a 10 minute drive from the Tsawwassen ferry dock linking the mainland to Vancouver Island - Victoria, B.C.

Parks include Lighthouse Marine Park, with fully-serviced campground, boat ramp, picnic sites and boardwalk. Orca whales sightings are common on the west side of the Point. Boating is central to the life of Point Roberts. The marine atmosphere colors much of the local activity at "The Point." A marina, yacht club and wide variety of marine services offer virtually everything a boater could need, including a head start to the San Juans, Gulf Islands, and some of the finest fishing, sailing and cruising in the Northwest.

In addition to the pleasures of the outdoors, there are restaurants, taverns, a new golf course, and a quaint bed and breakfast.

Information:
Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce

Sumas
Located on the U.S.- Canadian border, Sumas is a popular and busy crossing point between the two countries. The name Sumas means "land without trees" according to the Cowichan first nation inhabitants of British Columbia. The first non-Indian settlers homesteaded this area in the 1870s. Today there are plenty of trees in this community of around 1,000 people, and the picturesque Sumas river runs just east of town.

The town hosts a number of festivals each year. The signature event for the community is the Sumas Junior Rodeo, each Labor Day Weekend in September. Several hundred youths descend on the Rodeo Grounds to rope and ride in the fast-paced competition. Twice a year the same grounds are bustling with the Bull-A-Rama, a competition featuring top amateur adult bull riders from the United States and Canada.

Sumas visitor amenities include lodging, shopping, dining, campgrounds and professional services.