Washington Park (Anacortes) or La Conner to park?

DuckDogTitus":jmqa3hyq said:
how is the security risk for overnight parking in Bellingham?
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Dustin, If I'm not mistaken there are C-Brats that have parked there for a couple of months at a time with no problems. Personally, I've parked there for 10 days with no problem.....HOWEVER....and there always seems to be an "however"... :roll: ...several years ago, our well known fellow C-Brats, Bill and El had their trailer stolen while they were parked there. As I recall, the trailer was later recovered on Lummi Island, but they had already purchased a new trailer that was covered by their insurance.
There is a limit as to how many days, you can park at the main lot. (I'm not sure of the number of days....you'd have to inquire at the Marina Office). If you are going to exceed the number of days that are allowed, the Marina Office will give you a permit (NO CHARGE) and have you park at a lot across the street between a marine store and USCG Station Bellingham.

(As a side note, in the past I've "heard" of security probems at Washington Park).
 
I did not mention Bellingham because I thought it was outside of where you wanted to go. We live 10 minutes from Cornet Bay and use Bellingham whenever we are going to be out for any extended length of time. Good ramp, safe free parking, etc. I highly recommend it.
 
A bit of trivia. Bill and El had their boat stolen from the Bellingham overflow parking lot when they left it without the truck attached. There is now a requirement that you have to leave your truck attached. Whilst this is a little awkward if you're going shopping, I notice that if you're gone for a couple of hours at a time they don't notice.

Thier trailer was recovered later out on the peninsula, fortunately after the insurance paid off.

I agree that Bellingham is a great place to launch, and you suffer the ride out to Lummi Island where it quiets down. We've never had a quiet ride out to there, but it's a small price to pay for a great launch site.

Boris
 
From the south, 253 is OK, from the north, 256. We often use 256 since it is a little less twisty through town. Just follow the signs to the port.
 
The route via exit 253 (Lakeway Drive) is the way I kind of prefer as it is a bit more direct, but my wife does not like it because it takes you right through the downtown streets of Bellingham....doesn't bother me... :roll:

So the recommended route and less "city traffic" congested is to stay on I-5 heading North. Exit on 256A (Meridian Street) at the bottom of the exit ramp make a left turn and follow Meridian St. to Squalicum Way. Go Right on Squalicum Way and it becomes Roeder Avenue. Roeder Avenue takes you South along the waterfront about one mile to Belwether Way. Go Right on Belwether Way then a quick right to the launch ramp.

(I know that is much more than you asked for Tom, but I figured that I may as well print out the directions in detail for those unfamiliar with the Bellingham launch site).
 
so for the bellingham public launch and parking spot, is it Squalicum Harbor?

http://www.portofbellingham.com/index.aspx?NID=204


colobear":24nxnz0i said:
I did not mention Bellingham because I thought it was outside of where you wanted to go. We live 10 minutes from Cornet Bay and use Bellingham whenever we are going to be out for any extended length of time. Good ramp, safe free parking, etc. I highly recommend it.
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geographically it does look like its in the wrong direction, but i think we spend so much timing driving west on hwy 20 to anacortes anyways that it becomes 6 or half dozen of the other. Bellingham is far further north than planned, but you know if it works out, then that's a great place to experience because it would probably a great launching site for Canadian cruises later. :thup

I'm thinking launch out of bellingham, fish north of cypress, spend a night at Rosario, maybe a night at Friday harbor, go hit west beach resort on the north side of Orcas Island, then finish the loop past Sucia and lummi (perhaps fishing there again at Cypress on way back to bellingham) back to Bellingham. sounds like a decent weekend of exploration and island hopping.

one day I still want to visit deception pass though and see what thats all about.
 
Here's more of more than you want to know.

When you get off I-5 on Meridan St and you need gas, turn right and head north. Keep looking on your right again, and find the little gas station which has the lowest price in town, just after Bakerview Rd. Get in line with the Canadians and fill your boat and car. A little awkward, but we've got Journey On through. If you don't find it, keep going past Kellog Rd.

There's also an Arco station a bit north (`2mi.) on I-5. Get off at Airport/Bakerview off ramp, turn left across tthe freeway, go to Bannett. Dr (2 blocks,) and on the SW corner, there youare. Best to get back on the fwy and go back to Meridian.

We normally bring Journey On up empty, since there's no need to haul gas up, so finding cheaper gas is important. There is no cheap gas.

Boris
 
you cant compare driving the car to driving the boat. truck ( even towing the boat) 12 mpg, boat 2.4 mpg ( in my boat) so driving farther west in the Car is cheaper then driving farther west in the boat.
 
starcrafttom":1buwixnx said:
you cant compare driving the car to driving the boat. truck ( even towing the boat) 12 mpg, boat 2.4 mpg ( in my boat) so driving farther west in the Car is cheaper then driving farther west in the boat.
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the fuel scan tells me I get a little more mpg in the 22, but yeah I agree. That's why we drove to olympia/swantown two weekends ago instead of launching in tacoma and motoring down. also I like to find marinas that are interesting enough to stay in should plans change on the fly as they often do.


journey on":1buwixnx said:
Here's more of more than you want to know.

When you get off I-5 on Meridan St and you need gas, turn right and head north. Keep looking on your right again, and find the little gas station which has the lowest price in town, just after Bakerview Rd. Get in line with the Canadians and fill your boat and car. A little awkward, but we've got Journey On through. If you don't find it, keep going past Kellog Rd.

There's also an Arco station a bit north (`2mi.) on I-5. Get off at Airport/Bakerview off ramp, turn left across tthe freeway, go to Bannett. Dr (2 blocks,) and on the SW corner, there youare. Best to get back on the fwy and go back to Meridian.

We normally bring Journey On up empty, since there's no need to haul gas up, so finding cheaper gas is important. There is no cheap gas.

Boris
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you're like my own personal Bellingham virtual tour guide :thup thanks for the tips!
 
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