Things to Do in Bellingham

Talented filmmakers at this film school teach courses that hinge on hands-on involvement. Single- and multi-session classes cover everything from screenwriting and editing to motion graphics, and venture beyond documentary making with lessons in drama and still photography. While practicing techniques and pole-vaulting on boom mics like the pros do, students use a combination of their own gear and gear they've rented from the school. In addition to firsthand filmmaking experience, documentary students get hands-on experience, partnering with community charities to create short films used for education, outreach, and fundraising.

For the Hanke family, it seems like Puget Sound Express has always been part of their lives. Raised in the Puget Sound his entire life, Pete Hanke honed his seafaring abilities alongside his father, Pete Sr. Together, the two started leading weeklong sailing adventures across the Pacific Northwest in 1981 and eventually started whale tours. Today, the business still remains a family affair, with grandparents, children, and grandchildren working side by side. Sherri Hanke, Pete’s wife, feels this is the company's biggest feature. "We have three generations of captains, so there is a wealth of knowledge there."

In addition to their family members, Puget Sound Express's crew is well acquainted with the area's 88 resident killer whales, which naturalists can identify based on their markings and slick leather jackets. Tours also pass into the habitats of other wildlife, often spotting humpbacks, sea birds, and bald eagles. The Hankes' most popular voyage tours the San Juan Islands, pausing at the fishing village of Friday Harbor. According to Sherri, this region is well known for its weather. "We refer to it as the Blue Hole, because it is like this circle of sunlight. It could be raining in Seattle and extremely sunny here."

The Hankes take adventure-seekers out on the M.V. Glacier Spirit, a modern, 70-seat vessel with open-air viewing decks and large windows allowing sightseers unencumbered views. Additionally, an on-board hydrophone listens in on whales' vocalizations to see which songs are currently stuck in their heads.

Victoria Paintball Adventures envelops gamers in two woodsy fields of play stacked with obstacles, catwalks, and buildings among a diversified topography. Colourful combatants can paint pointillism masterpieces on opponents while traipsing stealthily through the six-acre lower field composed of a maze, catwalks, lush forest, towers, open field, and hideouts. On the four-acre upper field paintballers play splat tag at a faster pace, taking cover behind castle walls or trees and pelting challengers with paint from atop a fort tower or a stilt-walker's shoulders. A minimum of two staff members oversee a medley of 12 themed games throughout the day, such as the humans-versus-zombies melee and old-school capture the flag. Each 10- to 15-minute match is designed to keep field crusaders knee-deep in adrenalin while garnering enough knowledge about the colour wheel to write a biography of Roy G. Biv.

The kayakers' paddles dip silently into the placid waters of the Harrison River, their very presence amid the verdant wilderness dwarfed by the mountains looming overhead. Just as one kayaker opens his mouth to speak, the guide motions for him to remain silent as she points to the sunny shore, where an assembly of seals has gathered to bask in the warm rays.

Founded with the goal of granting visitors access to the pristine surroundings and rich history of the Harrison Hot Springs area, Harrison Eco Tours cultivates unforgettable interactions with nature thanks to their expertly trained guides and unique lineup of tours. The company's guides pride themselves on their encyclopedic knowledge of all things Harrison—from local tales to area geography to the flora and fauna that populate the terrain—which enables them to provide entertaining and insightful commentary throughout each tour. Excursions in heated jet boats speed past the jaw-dropping vistas of Fraser Canyon and Kilby, and paddling outings in kayaks facilitate relaxed jaunts down Harrison River. Visitors can witness critters up close with a selection of wildlife-sighting excursions, such as the popular Winter Eagle tour wherein passengers armed with binoculars scour the horizon seeking close-up views of the bald eagles' soaring wingspans and miniature powdered wigs.

Before he founded Good Time Dave’s Fishing Charters, David Eves spent 10 years fishing off the west coast of Vancouver Island. As a result, he brings a vast knowledge of the water and extensive fishing experience to his trips, as well as a Transport Canada certification, marine first-aid training, and enthusiasm for his work. David chauffeurs patrons out onto the water on a 23-foot Sea Sport that seats four. The vessel aids amateur fishermen in their quest for the perfect catch with a variety of high-tech tools including a Lowrance colour sounder that uses sonar to locate areas with high concentrations of fish and a black box that infuses the water with an electrical current to attract salmon. While on an adventure, patrons can hunt and hook Pacific salmon and halibut, or enjoy the rocky surroundings and fill souvenir jars with crisp clean air.