SNAP THAT: Southern BC

Monday, September 10, 2012

Trip to the South On Chuckanut Drive

I mentioned a few days ago that I had taken my first trip south of the border in many years. I've been wanting get away from the usual spots and see some "new-to-me" scenery. but I did not want to go too far.

I thought if I went south I would have some good scenic views of the ocean to share with you. I chose, Whidbey Island off Washington State's west coast. I'd never been to Whidbey Island before but read on line that it wouldn't take more than 1.5- 2 hours to get there not counting potential delays at the border. I packed an overnight bag just in case I decided to spend the night.

Here is a map to show you that we are heading south on Highway 99 through Richmond, Surrey and White Rock in British Columbia, just before reaching the Peace Arch Border Crossing (north side of Blaine, Washington). From Blaine we will be on Highway 5, known in the USA as I-5 (Interstate 5) which takes you all the way to California. The highway is 1381 miles (2222 kilometres long).

As we get near the border, this is what we see. The Nexus lane is for people who travel frequently to the USA. You must apply to become a Nexus card holder and get quicker processing times at the border crossings.

The line up at the border looks deceptively short. Once you pass by the buildings in the far left, you will come across the scene in the next photo.


This is the Peace Arch Border Crossing into Washington State. There is a lovely park area here. I wonder how many people actually use it.

Online, I read that the Chuckanut Drive route (Highway 11 on the map below) was a scenic route so that is the route we decided to take. All the photos below are taken along Chuckanut Drive. There were few places to stop to take photos but I managed to get some good drive bys. We did stop but once or twice also. There are many places where one could turn westward and go on hiking trails but that was not on the agenda for the day.