We’ve been over the Deception Pass bridge before. At least we’re going on the downhill direction.

You would enjoy a trip to southern Spain, where you find the freshest of fresh fruits and veggies, and a bidet in most hotels. These things confuse me a bit, because they have a spout that seems positioned to pour down your backside, but the bowl also commonly has a plug. Are you supposed to fill it first? The hotel commonly supplies a separate towel beside the unit, so while it may save on paper, it uses laundry more. Crocodile Dundee also had trouble understanding the thing, and I think I once found a Youtube tutorial. But after a brief one time infatuation, I gave up on it.

Another comment on your route, just so you're aware of it. Unless there have been improvements since we were there, Deception Pass Bridge is a pretty hair-raising crossing and a real bottleneck. There's a narrow sidewalk across it, but it's a tight squeeze with panniers. There's no real alternative though if you want to come onto the island from the north. Here's what it was like the last time we crossed it: https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/pdxbriefbreaks/seattle-to-bellingham/#2781_ea3b72ea1f702d367f3377795f0e4543

That looks to be true, Jim. There's a project to replace the bridge, and the project website says it's closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicycles. It isn't expected to be reopen until August.

Scott & Mark,
Near as I can tell, the bridge that connects with the road on the west side of Lake Samish is out and the road is closed. It’s not far out of our way to check it out, so we may do that. Closed doesn’t necessarily mean closed to bikes, as we know. I assume the last time you saw the bridge it was open?

Oh, you're starting in Silverdale! My first teaching gig's catchment area included where you are staying. I grew up in Bremerton. Silverdale is unrecognizable to me, anymore. Enjoy the rollers getting to the bridge.

Mark & Scott,
Thanks for the route input! I already had an alternate route along the dike prepared; it will now be implemented along with most of Mark’s suggestions. And I’ll take a look at Scott’s suggestion for south of Bellingham. Especially now that Mark has ratified it. Thanks again.
-Jim

Yes, ditto Scott's comment, and embedded map!

Dead-bang flat! Unfortunates, but a nice phrase. I like that.

An additional idea on avoiding Chuckanut Drive, similar to Mark's suggestion but following the western side of Lake Samish instead. Both sides of the lake are a fine ride but the west side is away from the highway and quieter. Rachael and I followed this route six years ago biking our way back to Portland from Victoria: https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/victoria2019/la-conner/.

Thank you Mark! We are on the road now heading your direction from CA. Tonight we will look at your routes closely. Jim is the route master and is very interested in the dyke route.
Adding a few miles and some climbing near Bellingham should not be a problem either. We really appreciate your interest!

Another comment: When I see the route your map shows for the segment in BC after coming over on the ferry from Vancouver Island, it appears that you may be going north a bit simply to get to the Marriott property for the night. The roads to get there will be very busy, I suspect.
You may have points to use with Marriott and want to do that. But, if you are flexible, and if your bikes and their riders are comfortable on gravel, an alternate route to the border would follow a hard-packed dyke trail and then connect to White Rock, BC. I've done that path, loaded, with 25c tires. But, I acknowledge that if the path has had recently-added topping gravel (which I doubt) it could have occasional softer sections. It would be more scenic and calm compared to roads into Delta.

I did a map that ends in White Rock at an ocean front hotel, but it is not a Marriott property, and I have no first-hand knowledge about it. There do not appear to be any Marriott places in White Rock. One plus is that you would be quite close to he border crossing for the next morning. Also, that ocean front road, Marine Drive, in White Rock is much nicer than the heart of Delta next to a major cloverleaf. The map is this one: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50943494

Hello Genny and Jim,

Your current tour caught my eye because it's relatively close to our home (Abbotsford, BC) and we've ridden most of those roads. I had the thought upon seeing your map to propose an alternate, more scenic, with less traffic, route south of Bellingham. But then while mapping it, I learned that Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham is closed at present due to a rock slide.

To wit from WSDOT: Chuckanut Drive (State Route 11) is currently closed south of Bellingham due to a significant rockslide that occurred on April 22, 2025. The closure affects the stretch of road between the Oyster Dome trailhead and Chuckanut Manor, which is about five miles south of Larrabee State Park. This section remains completely closed to all traffic—including cars, bicycles, and pedestrians—with no access through the slide area. The closure is expected to last through June.

You can see photos at the MyBellinghamNow website (search in upper left for "Chuckanut").

The route that I would take is this one, if it were me. It will add a few miles and a bit of climbing to what you had mapped, but after the islands, you and little hills will be well acquainted, I suspect.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50942822
Of course, you may talk to others along the way and come up with a different solution.

Enjoy your riding!