With the Winter Olympics in town, Vancouver, B.C. has been enjoying plenty of attention lately, but another city well worth the visit is Victoria, B.C. Just a few hours away from Bellingham via car and ferry, this gem of a city offers visitors a taste of classic Victorian life amid the beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape.

If you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary stay, check out the many Victorian Bed and Breakfasts available. Many are within walking distance of the ferry terminal, and offer competitive rates (especially right now, during the off-season).

Looking for a fun and educational trip for the whole family? Check out the American Museum of Radio & Electricity in Downtown Bellingham!

From learning about Ben Franklin’s shocking discovery, to doing a few electricity-generating experiments of your own, the Museum offers a little something for everyone to explore.

The Museum has an extensive collection of radios and even a rare musical instrument called a theremin that you can play without actually touching (its eerie sounds are usually found in old sci-fi movies).

Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and under. A trip to the Museum makes for a great morning spent Downtown!

If you need a quick and quiet getaway during this sunny stretch of weather, try the paths around Whatcom Falls park in the Whatcom Falls neighborhood! The 241-acre park is filled with trails to discover. With the sound of powerful waterfalls gushing constantly in the background, you’ll find this park in the heart of Bellingham a welcome retreat that’s easy to get to (right off Electric Avenue near Lakeway).

One thing that attracts so many people to live in Bellingham is the many recreational activities that abound here in this part of  The Pacific Northwest. To learn more, check out our Pacific Northwest recreation page!

Rain?  What rain?

The gorgeous winter sunshine we’ve been getting here in Whatcom County is a prime opportunity to enjoy the outdoors here in Bellingham, Washington. Though Boulevard Park is often a summer hotspot in the South Hill neighborhood, even a nice winter day is a great excuse to enjoy this easy walk on the Bellingham Bay waterfront.

Because of its water views, Bellingham’s South Hill neighborhood remains one of the most popular places to live in Bellingham. To find Bellingham homes for sale, please take a look at my free Northwest MLS search or give me a call to get started!

It’s another beautiful winter day in Whatcom County, with sparkling views of Mount Baker! Many Bellingham homes and Ferndale homes boast some great mountain views, as this picture attests.

To get you on your way to buying a Pacific Northwest home, check out my free, no-hassle NW MLS Search or simply give me a call to get an expert Whatcom County real estate agent on your team!

Though we just posted photos of deer a few days ago, these new photos are just too sweet not to post (how can you resist the nuzzling going on in the second photo?).

A doe and her two young fawns rested in a grassy area near Sunset Pond in Bellingham’s Mount Baker neighborhood, much to the delight of children who were able to watch the deer from their back windows. The trio seemed quite at ease, as long as no one approached too quickly or closely.

Here in The Pacific Northwest, we really do enjoy our animal neighbors! To learn more about the human members of our Northwest community, visit LiveInThePacificNorthwest.com!

It’s sometimes easy to forget that tranquil, peaceful places like this still exist — that is, unless you live in Ferndale, Washington. A perfect blend of out-in-the-country living and Pacific Northwest beauty, Ferndale offers a quieter slice of life for its residents, with room to roam and play. Best of all, Ferndale homes are mere minutes away from the convenient amenities of larger cities (such as Bellingham via I-5 or the Guide Meridian).

To view Ferndale properties in this special part of Whatcom County, please take a look at our hassle-free Whatcom County MLS Search!

Caught a lucky shot of this bald eagle resting in the trees near the Mount Baker neighborhood in Bellingham (before he decided he’d like a little privacy and flew to another tree). According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the bald eagle population has grown steadily in the last few decades in Washington State, from 105 nesting pairs in 1980 to over 650 pairs in 2001. Bald eagles love The Pacific Northwest, where they can feed on spawning salmon. Did you know that bald eagles don’t develop their distinctive white plumage until they are nearly five years old? Wow.

Those of us who live in Whatcom County never quite get accustomed to seeing such gorgeous creatures right in our backyards. To discover your own Whatcom County home in the heart of The Pacific Northwest, feel free to take a look at our hassle-free Pacific Northwest MLS Search.

Residents of Whatcom County are never far from a stunning view of Mount Baker, seen here from Ferndale. Whether you’re catching glimpses of the mountain in Bellingham, or admiring the more expansive views of Baker on the freeway headed north toward Blaine, it seems like the mountain is everywhere!

The Pacific Northwest truly has a beauty all its own! If Northwest life is beckoning you and your family, contact expert Pacific Northwest real estate agent Susan Stecher for information about a wonderful home here in Whatcom County!

Why did the deer cross the road?

To get to the other side, apparently.

A trio of deer crossed Bakerview Road (near the T-mobile call center) back and forth at least three times in the span of twenty minutes today in Bellingham’s Meridian neighborhood. They crossed the road, ate some grass, and then crossed back again, only to return a few minutes later. Drivers like this one were kind enough to stop to allow the deer to cross safely, as other drivers and pedestrians alike stopped to watch.

Our proximity to nature is a wonderful part of living in the Pacific Northwest, but please keep an eye out for our woodland friends as you drive around Whatcom County — especially in the evening hours!