You couldn't ask for a better service the men and women of the United States Coast Guard go out in…read moreall of the elements to make sure we make it home at night to be with our families. Over the last 50 years my dad and myself always knew that help was just a radio call away in the folks to put on the Boating classes for the Coast Guard auxiliary what a great group of people know before you go folks they can only Keep Us Alive if you know what the rules are

Got that ballot all filled out but don't have any stamps? Waited until the morning of election day…read moreand want your vote counted before the national results are posted? No worries 'cuz you're in luck: there are several drop boxes located around Whatcom County, including this very handy drive-up spot near the main courthouse downtown. The easiest way to access the drop box is via the well-marked entrance off of Grand Street between Central and Flora. Look for the handy sidewalk signage marking the entrance, ease your car into line with other voters, and sidle on up to the weathered blue drop box to insert your ballot through the handy slot. You don't even have to get out of your car! And after doing your civic duty, simply make a quick turn to the exit on Flora Street. Pro tip: feeling like a little liquid courage before or after voting? Artifacts Wine Bar and the Grand Avenue Ale House are located within half a block of the drop box. There's a great taco truck nearby, too!

Although the location for this Ballot Drop-Off Box is not intuitively located, the signage is very…read moregood. Located in the Whatcom County South Parking Lot (behind 306 Flora Street, the Ballot Drop-Off Box is a convenient way to drop off your ballot. Although the Ballot Drop-Off Box is a little hard to find the first time it is centrally located and does not require voters to pay for parking. On election day the County Auditors Office provides workers onsite to keep the traffic moving.

For the ladies that act as docents for the Pickett house, this is truly a labor of love. Their…read moreexcitement about the house and it's history are contagious. When you visit, donate well, as the house needs a lot of care. Many of the repairs are done by the ladies themselves.

In my travels through Whatcom county, I decided to stop here since I needed fuel. I quickly found…read moreout as well that sadly Nooksack no longer has a post office :( So, to mark that I had been in the town, I took my pic in front of the city hall. The town is very well kept though, as well as the City Hall itself. There is a little park in the middle of town that is cute and it reminds me a bit of Orting. Anyway, Nooksack is just a hop skip and a jump to the Canadian border so it's nice to see such a well kept town to welcome all of our neighbors to the north.

I like the general feel of Lynden. I stopped here on my trek to visit every city in Washington…read morestate. I liked seeing the windmills and the Dutch influence the town seemed to take on in certain places. The Dutch immigration to the town in the early 1900's still has a pretty big influence on the architecture within the town and cultural festivals. The town itself reminds me of a smaller version of Holland, Michigan mainly due to the ethnic influence. Lynden is about 5 miles from the Canadian border as well, which makes crossing over into Langley, BC a breeze.

This historic school house is beautifully restored. The volunteers, who offer personalized tours,…read moreare so knowledgeable and friendly. You can see items donated by previous students who came to this school once upon a time, and standing inside feels like you've traveled back in time. There are also many original items such as the oil cloth lesson board, the original chalk board, wall lanterns and more. In the summer they also feature a spooky story telling. Touring the museum is a must-see if you're staying on the island!

We stopped by the Crow Valley School on orcas Island and were delighted with how well preserved the…read moreschool was with original lesson plans and account books available to peruse, a headmaster's black dress displayed, some original school desks, and several enlarged old photographs of students. We received a personal tour of the school from Rebecca and were delighted to visit this historical spot on Orcas.

After having some not-so-great experiences at another local post office, I came back to Custer with…read morea few questions. Susan took the time to explain everything and answer my questions without making me feel rushed or like I was bothering her. It was such a relief. Honestly, why can't all post offices be like this one? The staff is friendly, service is usually quick, and there's rarely much of a wait. The only thing people who aren't from the area should know is that they close for lunch, so check the hours before heading over. I've always had good experiences here, and after my recent visit, I appreciated the Custer Post Office even more. Thanks, Susan!

Quaint little temporary library, previously the "adult day center" of the illustrious Sudden Valley…read moreenclave. You may check yourself out a meaty paperback or smooth jazz CD & sit in the little memorial garden, it's just steps from the door. This can be a haven for toddlers at certain hours, as it has many buckets of kid activities plus a brightly colored carpeted zone...so bring your antibacterial wipes and patience. Nice option if you decide you want a book or movie held from the system and don't want to leave your little valley. Occasionally the staff look at me sideways, unsure if it's my dapper shoes or yoga pants. Check it out. Hee.