I absolutely love the Skagit Valley and area surrounding Mount Vernon/Burlington. If I didn’t have such close ties to South Carolina, I’d move out here in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, many others feel the same way. Hence, the weather conspiracies, etc.
The farmlands above are dotted with Victorian-styled houses and huge old barns. Something is always in season – berries, potatoes, etc – and when these make it to the local market, their freshness cannot be matched. In the spring, the flatlands burst into color with tulips and daffodils, as these are raised for bulbs. The abundance of fresh seafood just can’t be found anywhere else.
On my first trip out, while driving across the flat farmland my father-in-law pointed to the mountains rising in the west and told me that they were islands. Not seeing any water anywhere, it was hard to believe. You really don’t see the bays until you get a bit of elevation, but it only takes a slight rise for a spectacular view to appear.
On a clear day, from Samish Island you can see Mount Ranier, the Olympics, Mount Baker, and the Canadian Cascades. Bald Eagles fly over regularly, and there is a heron rookery in the middle of the island. The air is always crisp, and the inviting aroma of coffee wafts through almost every establishment.
For the rest of our Washington State images, visit my Flickr account.
Great views!