Story by Sawyer
Springtime at the Stugan
Adventure in Lummi Island, The Islands, WA, US
After driving the winding road through the fog, a dark red house emerged along the shore, and we immediately felt at ease and ready to unwind.
We were welcomed into The Stugan with an already lit fireplace and trays featuring chocolates, hot cocoa mix, and instant coffee, which gave the already inviting cozy interior all the more inviting. Our first night was spent enjoying hot cocoa and oven-ready pizza (the food options on Lummi are limited, so stock up before you go!), with the sounds of the sleepy bay moving us to sleep.
The next day started and ended in the gorgeous galley kitchen, where we made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and then tacos for dinner after an intense few rounds of Clue and Pictionary.
We were welcomed into The Stugan with an already lit fireplace and trays featuring chocolates, hot cocoa mix, and instant coffee, which gave the already inviting cozy interior all the more inviting. Our first night was spent enjoying hot cocoa and oven-ready pizza (the food options on Lummi are limited, so stock up before you go!), with the sounds of the sleepy bay moving us to sleep.
The next day started and ended in the gorgeous galley kitchen, where we made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and then tacos for dinner after an intense few rounds of Clue and Pictionary.
Things We Did
- Boat
- Experience
- Hike
- Grocer
- Brewery
The only way on and off Lummi Island is by taking the Whatcom Chief Ferry, a small drive-on boat that takes you across the bay in just under five minutes. The boat runs from the early hours of the morning all the way until midnight each day. Waiting for the ferry on the wooden bridge on our first night, with the evening fog setting in got us very excited for our cozy getaway, and the peaceful trip over the water did not disappoint.
While we were still waking up on our second day, we found ourselves driving down the main road and following whatever handmade signs caught our eye along the way. One of these signs, which had glass sculptures hanging on it to catch the light, brought us to Vitreous Visions by Art Hohl, a small art studio nestled in a neighbourhood. When we went inside, we were greeted by gorgeous and vibrant pieces of glass art, ranging from earrings to full-on sculptures. Art Hohl himself was there, working on drafting his next kiln-fused creation, and we were lucky enough to get a tour of the workshop and to hear about his process.
There are a few trails that adventurers can explore when on Lummi Island, but by far the one with the most rewarding view is the Baker Preserve Trail. An almost entirely uphill, one hour hike, the Baker Preserve features a rushing waterfall, classic PNW-foggy views, and a breathtaking outlook where you can see the Orcas and San Juan Islands in the distance.
Food options on Lummi are limited, and we came just before the Beach Store Cafe reopened its doors to provide dinner classics for the summer. That being said, the small grocery store The Islander provided us with a range of options for making breakfast and dinner, including fresh produce and local Whatcom County beers, wines, and foods. Attached to the store was a small gift/antique shop that offered handmade jewelry, artwork capturing the beauty of the island and vinyl records for enjoyment.
Our hosts were kind enough to include an activity to do at home with our stay, which was fantastic for when the evening got a little chillier and the Washington rain started to drizzle. Whatcom County, specifically Bellingham, is well known for its many breweries and craft beers that delight brew-lovers in and outside the community. All four of the breweries we sampled from can be found and visited on the mainland, which is just a quick ferry ride away from the Stugan.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
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