Summer by the Salish Sea

WHAT’S YOUR RELATIONSHIP to the waters of the North Sound? Living where we do, it’s impossible to not have some sort of connection to the lakes, rivers, and bays that surround us. Whether your passion lies in ecology, outdoor recreation, or seafood, these waterways dictate our way of life in more ways than one— which is why we’re bringing you an entire feature about them.

Perhaps you’re passionate about paddleboarding, or diving, or maybe you’re hoping to take up sea kayaking this summer. After all, outdoor recreation is one of the (many) reasons why people choose to live here. We’re even lucky enough to have resources like the Community Boating Center (p. 62) to ensure that everyone— regardless of finances or skill level— has the opportunity to get out and play on the bay.

For others, this connection to water has nothing to do with physical activity. Water is the inspiration behind lots of local art, both decorative and functional. In this issue we spoke to Greg Klassen (p. 72), who is known for his River Tables that combine wood and blue glass for a water-like effect. But Klassen is just the beginning: From painters like Nicki Lang to glassblowers like David Wight, countless local artists make work about these waterways.

For our Indigenous community members, the North Sound’s waterways represent countless years of tradition, history, and stewardship. As the folks at Sacred Lands Conservancy put it, “Water is life. We can’t survive without fresh water to drink, without the salmon that depend on healthy rivers and a healthy Salish Sea.” (p. 51).

Others see the water as synonymous with tranquility and freedom. Tori Ayres (p. 54), the founder of Dragonfly Kayak Tours, started a whole business based on the inner peace she feels when kayaking, whereas Melissa Longfellow (p. 55) views water as a tool to inspire fluid movement during her SUP yoga classes.

Even in my personal life, I’ve watched my friends develop and nurture their own unique relationships to the waters that surround us. One friend plunges into the bay from Taylor Dock to mark her major life milestones. Another lives full-time on their sailboat in Squalicum Harbor. As for me? I moved to Washington all the way from Alabama to be near the water. I’d never visited Whatcom County in person prior to that move, but photos of the Bellingham Bay told me everything I needed to know— and now, years later, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Maybe that’s why, even beyond this issue, I can’t help but notice how many Bellingham Alive articles feature water as a key theme. In May 2022, we wrote about Eleanor Hines, who works with RE Sources as the North Sound Baykeeper to protect the health of our waters. We also interviewed Rena Priest during her tenure as Washington State Poet Laureate in that very same issue. Her current writing focuses on the beaches and salmon of the Pacific Northwest. (Missed that issue? It’s available to read online at bellinghamalive.com!)

Whether we’re talking about seafood-centric restaurants (“Steaks, Seafood, and Sips,” February 2023), local fisherman (Nerka Sea-Frozen Salmon, April 2023), or even festivals (Bellingham SeaFeast, September 2022), it’s rare to open a copy of Bellingham Alive without finding at least one article that relates to our waters. With that in mind, it only makes sense that this year’s summer issue is fully devoted to the North Sound’s rivers, lakes, and the Salish Sea.

On behalf of the whole team at Bellingham Alive, we hope you make the very most of the sunshine this season. My personal hope is that you learn something new in this issue, whether that be a fact about our community or simply a new restaurant to try— and if you have something you’d like to see us cover, you can always reach me at editor@ bellinghamalive.com. 

Warmly,

COCOA LANEY Editor In Chief

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Sandra Hurtley

Sandra Hurtley has always loved art and design she designed her first bedroom when she was seven! She completed the design program at Heritage School of Interior Design in Portland, Oregon in 2008. She started Positive Space Staging + Design in 2010 and expanded into Whatcom County where she grew up in late 2018. Her work is currently focused on residential interior design and real estate staging projects. positivespaceinc.com  p. 68

Mary Kinser

Growing up in Washington state, Mary learned early on that rainy days provided the perfect excuse to curl up with a good story. Mary is now a collection development librarian for Whatcom County Library System, where she gets to spend her days spreading the joy of reading. In her free time, she enjoys travel, board games, long walks, and baking delicious treats. She and her husband share their home with one son, one cat, and far too many books.  p. 25

Kolby LaBree

Kolby LaBree is owner/operator of Bellinghistory Tours with the Good Time Girls, purveyors of guided walking tours and other historical edutainment in Bellingham since 2011. The Good Time Girls are available year-round for private tours and virtual events. See Bellinghistory.com for current offerings!  p. 25

Andrew Martin

Martin’s culinary repertoire includes locales such as the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel (California), the Ritz-Carlton Club Aspen Highlands (Colorado), Little Nell Colorado Ski Resort (Colorado), and Pazzo Ristorante (Oregon). He now cooks up locally sourced, seasonally inspired cuisine at New Leaf Cafe on Orcas Island.  p. 92

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14th Annual Presented by:

PUBLICATIONS

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NSL Guestbook

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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER

Lisa Karlberg

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Cocoa Laney

ART DIRECTOR

Dean Davidson

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Amberleigh Brownson

Kelley Denman | Michael Roe

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Erin James

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Kristen Boehm

MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR

George Murray

WRITERS

Julie Trimingham | Jessamyn Tuttle

CONTRIBUTORS

Judd M. Greenwood | Sandra Hurtley

Mary Kinser | Kolby LaBree | Denise Lones

Andrew Martin

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Tayler Robertson

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Jenn Miranda

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Megan Gonzales

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I simply love your magazine. As a hairdresser for eight years, it’s how I kept in touch with my community. I’m still finding new events every month to try!