Unplanned Encounters and Spontaneous Adventures in Birch Bay
Birch Bay is a tiny little community in Blaine, Washington and to be completely honest; my first impression was a big yawn.
We would have never visited little blip on the map if it hadn’t been for the campground we were there to film. Birch Bay seemed like any other sleepy coastal town and we couldn’t imagine why people would stay here for months on end… then we learned why in less than 24hrs.
Birch Bay is an escape. This is where you go when you just want to get away from it all. It’s peaceful, the scenery is stunning and the changing tides add a nice touch of drama.
The bay is calm most days and its half-moon shape and sandy beach make it perfect for clamming, crabbing, sand castle building, and just about any water sport you can imagine.
On our first morning out to the bay Jason took a random photo at high tide and we made a Facebook post. When we returned to the same spot to capture the low tide a guy comes up (with a smile on his face) and says, “Hey you took a photo of my boat”.
I think he noticed our little smart car with the logos and assumed we were important people (ah, how looks can be deceiving). That started a conversation which lead to an invite to go crabbing on that boat (which we sadly couldn’t do so we politely declined), which lead to an invitation to dinner (there was no way we were passing up fresh crab).
As we often say “We Talk to Strangers” and you can see why we rarely turn down an invitation! It’s the kindness of strangers and moments like these that we love the most (and of course the five giant crabs they sent us home with doesn’t hurt our case either!).
This is why we live an unconventional lifestyle…for unplanned encounters and spontaneous adventures!
To see a little more of Birch Bay, check out the video we made for Thousand Trails:
Have you been to Birch Bay or had an unplanned encounter that lead to a spontaneous adventure? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Disclaimer: While we were compensated to film the campground (thanks Thousand Trails!) all of our experiences and opinions are NOT purchased and are still our own.
Karen Hawk
I’m one of the lucky ones…..I get to live here year round! And I love living in Paradise!
Terry
Sorry to hear about Jason’s grandmother.
Thanks for the blog, now we’ve got another destination when we head back to Vancouver this summer.
Are you passing through the Washington DC area on your way to the Carolinas?
We were toying around with the idea of visiting some friends in Myrtle Beach.
Maybe you can sample some Maryland Blue Crabs.
We’ve been enjoying your exploits since meeting you in Abbotsford RV show last year.
Latrecia
What a stunning view! This looks like a “secret paradise”.
Nikki Wynn
That is exactly what the locals said!
Valerie and Tim
Love to read about people talking to strangers and accepting random invitations. We also love to ‘say yes’ as often as possible but it’s more than just talking to strangers and saying yes – it’s all about keeping that spirit of spontaneity alive so you are open to the opportunities. Glad to see you’re doing that. We’re kindred spirits. If you’re interested, here is a recent post of ours that was all about saying yes to invitations and spontaneous adventures.
http://zufalladventures.com/travel-2/just-say-yes-photos-story-las-isletas-granada-nicaragua/
Peg Crowell
Thanks for the wonderful BB video. I’ve been waiting for this one. It looks like you took some of those shots from our patio! Let us know when you come back to this area. We’d love to see you again.
Dawn
We love Birch Bay! My children spent many happy hours at the waterpark there. You got to experience Dungeness crab–it’s amazing, isn’t it?
Nikki Wynn
Having crab that fresh, makes you never want anything else again!
Mark Demianew
The coastal Indian tribes have a saying: When the tide is out the table is set, and from the looks of it you got your fill with your new Birch Bay friends. BTW, did you know that the famous Dungeness Crabs that you dined on get their name from Dungeness Spit which is across the Sound from Birch Bay on the NE corner of the Olympic Penninsula?
Nikki Wynn
Well Mark, aren’t you full of interesting info! Where were you while we were visiting. I didn’t know where Dungeness crab got their name, but now I do!
Sandy
There is also a small, but fun water slide park in Birch Bay!
jacquie
So close to home, my brother lives behind that resort and his house is where we store our Airstream.
Fun seeing that you where in the area, although we live in Vancouver area and my brother and parents live in Birch Bay.
We met you a few years ago at the RV show in Abbottsford.
Actually we had plan to go this weekend and woke up Sat. morning to snow and it has not stopped snowing since. It’s winter wonderland here on the mountain side of Port Moody.
Cheers!