I don't think that this is the 'official' description of Bellingham, but it has been a mural on the side of a building by our musuem for years, and I think it fits nicely. (I think some hippie painted it circa 1971 and it stuck.)
To find us, take out a map of the United States, take your finger and travel up to the top left of the country...yep, right up there in the corner. And, voila, there it is!
Nestled in the NW Corner of the US, in beautiful Whatcom County, Bellingham is woven into the calm coastal saltwater of the Puget Sound waterways with the San Juan Islands as the view to the South. (Ouside Magazine says we have "The Best Kayaking in the World", as a kayaker, I concur!)
Our area is sandwiched quietly between two world class cities, Seattle-1 1/2 hours south and Vancouver B.C.-45 minutes north. But you really never need to leave because Bellingham has so much to offer its residents.
We boast world class entertainment in our quaint city either at Western Washington University or at the Mt. Baker Theatre (Think Mann's Chineese) that pulls in entertainers traveling between the big cities.
Additionally, we are litterally freckled with freshwater lakes (Lake Whatcom-our largest lake-is 12 pristine miles of recreation and natural beauty) plus rivers that boast some of the best salmon fishing available.
Ok, ready to pack it up and move?? There is still MORE...Bellingham sits at the foot of the Cascade Mountains to the east with GORGEOUS Mt. Baker topping the range like a big scoop of vanilla icecream (Mt. Baker is a glacier topped volcano). On Mt. Baker is a world renowned ski resort (Know to 'the shredders' as the North Shore of snowboarding and where the sport originated). Hundreds of miles of trail systems and parks, Bellingham is never short on things to do.
We have a downtown core that has been going through a major revitalization that makes our fair city feel like a small hip Portland(farmer's market and many new saltwater view condo developments). Or visit Fairhaven, a small sister city tucked around the corner from Bellingham on the bay.
With only 2500 Characters allowed in Squidoo to describe our town, I am out of space. If you would like to know more, contact me directly and I will send you links that will tell you more.