Jonathan does not sit still. If he is not working and he’s at home, you won’t find him inside. After morning coffee he’s outside all day—fixing something, building something, chopping wood, painting, cleaning gutters, you name it—anything but sitting still. Definitely not resting. The only way for Jon to truly take a day off is to leave the property. Camping, road-trips, baseball, travel…Those are the go-to getaways that are necessary for him to recharge. And despite the fact that I can happily putter about my garden forever, I am always grateful and rejuvenated when he nudges me to get out and about. During the busy months of summer work, it is hard to fit in longer trips, but our region is rich with opportunities that are close-to-home but feel a world away. These “field trip” days, as we call them, are a wonderful way to rest and reset and explore the beautiful places in our backyard. Even better when we can sneak them in mid-week, avoiding summer weekend crowds.

This week we had blueberries and shellfish on our minds.

First Stop: Bow Hill Blueberries

Bow Hill Blueberry Farm is located in the tiny hamlet of Bow, Skagit County, Wa. It’s a picturesque agricultural valley near the coast. (north of Mt. Vernon and south of Bellingham)

We discovered that the U-pick option was only open on the weekends and we were here mid-week. But the shop was open and we were able to purchase bulk flats of delectable perfectly ripe blueberries. We also bought a jug of concentrated blueberry juice to blend with smoothies and summer spritzers.

Bulk frozen berries, blueberry powder, blueberry ice cream, and all manner of Bow Hill swag are also available.

It’s a sweet, quiet place to spend an afternoon. Shaded picnic tables are perfect for a packed lunch. Even Juneau enjoyed munching on the blueberries here. I think we’ll be back for more before the end of the season!

Check out Bow Hill Blueberries and plan your visit!

Next Stop: Taylor Shellfish Farm, Bow, Wa

Heading north up Chuckanut Drive is a sneaky left turn that heads steeply down hill to the waterside. It might not look like much—large wooden crates stacked by the railroad tracks, a dusty drive towards a pier with a couple of seemingly low-key buildings. It looks like a working dock. And it is! Look out into the water and you’ll see rafts of farmed shellfish. You’ll see fishermen going about their business. It is also home to the fabulous Samish Oyster Bar and Taylor Shellfish Market.

For 5 generations the Taylor family has been sustainably harvesting and farming shellfish in the waters of Puget Sound. From the Tides to the Table is their motto, and it doesn’t get any fresher or any better!

We skipped the long line for the oyster bar and heading straight to the market, picking up a 2lb bag each of mussels and some large shrimp on ice, along with a lemon and small container of cocktail sauce. Packed securely in our cooler, we headed south to our campground, looking forward to a seafood dinner feast!

Check out Taylor Shellfish Farms and plan your visit!

Last Stop: Fort Casey State Park, Coupeville, Wa

Heading south again we returned to Whidbey Island to Fort Casey State Park in Coupeville. We got lucky, snagging a reservation for the last available campsite the day before. (This excursion was on a whim and we were not planning ahead here). It’s not a large campground and summer is often booked solid. Again, a perk of getting out mid-week.

Fort Casey is a spot just 20 minutes from our home. We have spent many days here, exploring the old fort, the lighthouse and roaming the rocky beach. On Halloween Fort Casey is transformed into a spooky and gory haunted house experience. This was our first time spending the night here—something we have wanted to do for years.

The campground is located right next to the dock for the Coupeville/Port Townsend ferry. The sites are pretty close together, not particularly private, and there is no shade. But, despite the shortcomings, it’s a great spot and we’ll be back!

What’s to love?

-Proximity to the Coupeville/Port Townsend ferry. It’s a great pit stop before heading over to the Olympic Peninsula.

-Amazing sunsets and beach walks! Great views of the shipping lanes and Olympic mountains.

-Nearby the charming town of Coupeville and one of our favorite hikes— the Bluff Trail loop at Ebey’s Landing.

-Sites located on the water have beautiful views and beach access.

-Fun to explore the fort in the evening after the day crowds have gone.

-Wonderful open grassy fields for kite flying and frisbee.

Check out Fort Casey State Park and Plan your visit!