TO DO: Chuckanut Drive Before the Leaves Fall
The forecast may say nothing but rain, but we all know better. The leaves are still ablaze and that means sneaking in a drive, Chuckanut Drive, the winding road that hugs Samish Bay just north of Mt. Vernon. Make it a day with a a few fantastic pit stops:
Edison, WA - The one block main drag of Edison (MAP) has it covered: Two bars, two bakeries, and a specialty food store that would kill in any in city neighborhood. Stop at Bread Farm for a baguette or two to go with your agenda. Don't forget to buy some of their cookies (especiallycocoa nib and rosemary-pine nut).
Samish Bay Cheese in Bow, WA - Right off the road (MAP), they have all of their organic farmstead cheeses available for sampling (check hours for off season). Try the fresh and aged versions of their Ladysmith cheese, the former a barely firm cheese the consistency of ricotta but with a lot more flavor, great with just bread and salt. The aged version concentrates the buttery sweet notes of the fresh into a firm tangy cheese plate star. You can also find Samish Bay cheeses year round at the Ballard, West Seattle and U-District farmers markets.
Taylor Shellfish Farms in Bow, WA - This is on your way up Chuckanut (MAP), a detour just after an old abandoned inn on a hairpin turn (Rock Point Road to be exact). Take the road that winds down across the railroad tracks and to the beach to buy oysters about as fresh as can be, sometimes even harvested that day. This may be the best way to guarantee yourself some Shigokus (out and so hot right now). It's certainly the cheapest and most picturesque.
It may be too cold for a picnic at the beach, but you could always park at one of the overlooks, hit the back seat for some shucking, and making out.
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