Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Landscape Photography Locations => Topic started by: mshea on June 29, 2011, 04:25:46 pm

Title: Coastal region north of Seattle?
Post by: mshea on June 29, 2011, 04:25:46 pm

Hi All,

I'm heading for the Olympic Peninsula in late July early August, but I thought I might explore the area north of Seattle for a few days beforehand. I enjoy just wandering around, but I'm wondering if there are areas or specific locations you might recommend. Also, good campgrounds?

Thanks,
Merrill

Title: Re: Coastal region north of Seattle?
Post by: bobtowery on June 29, 2011, 04:41:38 pm

Merrill:

I have not been further north than Anacortes myself. You might consider the san juans, they are easy to get around by ferry. Camping is popular so you shouldn't have trouble finding campgrounds.

This is my favorite guidebook for photographing Washington:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51StLZcY1lL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)

Link to the book on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Guide-Puget-Sound-Perfect/dp/0881507563/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1309379857&sr=8-1)

I used it extensively on a trip to the Olympic Peninsula four years ago. It's a wonderful place, enjoy!

Title: Re: Coastal region north of Seattle?
Post by: neile on July 01, 2011, 01:33:43 pm

North of Seattle? Uhhhh.... there's really not that much there that I can think of. I'd take the extra two days and spend it on the coast shooting more of the Peninsula :)

Neil

Title: Re: Coastal region north of Seattle?
Post by: neile on July 02, 2011, 09:38:18 pm

I was thinking of this thread as I was driving to/from Vancouver today driving by locations. If you're headed north from Seattle you'll be on I-5, and it's nowhere near the actual coast. If you do want to explore north of Seattle and are on the I-5 corridor there are a few things:

1) Chuckanut Drive. Very pretty twisty road that's fun to drive. Along the way you can stop at the state park (permit required) and get right down to the water (although it's not the ocean). At the north end of the road you can stop in the Fairhaven neighbourhood of Bellingham which is filled with quaint shops, eating places, etc.

2) Northern State Recreation Area. This is off I-5 in the Sedro-Woolley area. http://wildliferecreation.org/our-campaigns/wwrp-projects/projects/Northern_State_Recreation_Area will give you directions. It's a bunch of abandoned farm buildings that used to be part of a state mental hospital. Fun to shoot in on sunny days. Not suggested on rainy days, the buildings are leaky.

3) You could take the ferry out to the San Juan islands and drive around. Friday Harbor is nice if you like boats in marinas.

But personally, as mentioned in my prior post, I'd spend the extra time on the WA coast instead :)

Neil

Title: Re: Coastal region north of Seattle?
Post by: wolfnowl on July 03, 2011, 01:49:59 am

This is slightly OT, but if you're looking for some history of the area, find a copy of 'The Living' by Annie Dillard.  A worth read.

Mike.