|
|
|
|
 |
 Skagit
County, Washington
lies halfway between Seattle,
and Vancouver, BC in Canada.
Found in the northwest sector of the state, the county borders reach from
the Puget
Sound coastline, where whales still play, to the towering peaks of
the majestic Cascade
Mountains. The fertile
valley stretching between the two displays blankets of stunning tulip fields
each spring. Long-legged Great Blue
Herons inhabit the western shoreline of Skagit County, while Bald Eagles
soar over its eastern edges.
Encompassing almost one million acres of land, and home to
nearly 103,000 people (Census 2000 data), Skagit County is one of the fastest
growing areas in Washington
State. With a booming and
diversified economy made up of fishing, agriculture, wood products, tourism and
manufacturing, the county is also the hub for the state's petroleum industry,
due to its accessible ports and refineries.
The lovely Skagit
River runs through the region, providing excellent fishing and
white-water rafting for visiting tourists.
Washington State Routes 9 and 20, as well as Interstate 5, provide quick
and easy travel through the area and connect it with the glittering city of
Seattle, which
lies sixty miles from the border.
 Eighteen distinctly different towns and villages comprise
Skagit County, with the thriving city of Mount
Vernon designated as the county seat.
With a population of over 26,000, Mount Vernon plays host to the
astounding Skagit Valley Tulip Festival each April.
Trumpeter swans winter on the many lakes just outside the city limits.
The Highland Games and Scottish Faire is a treat each summer,
with dance competitions and outstanding music.
Mount Vernon offers excellent medical care facilities, as well as the
finest in shopping and dining. The
award-winning Skagit
Valley College found here serves three neighboring counties,
providing top-notch education.
The charming, small city of Burlington, population 6,700, used to be known as 'The Hub
City', due to its crossroads of two major railways. From its origins as a major
logging center, today Burlington's economy is based on agriculture, boat
building, and manufacturing, with a new 130-acre industrial park in place.
Its biggest claim to fame is the build-up of its reputation as being a
'shopping Mecca', drawing people from Seattle and Canada as well as being the
main retail center for Skagit County. Along
with several large and small shopping complexes, Cascade
Mall offers over seventy-five of the finest modern retail shops
housed in an enclosed mall.
The city of Sedro-Woolley,
population 8,600, is the 'Gateway to the Northern Cascades'.
The historic downtown provides a lovely Walking
Tour, showing off its beautifully painted murals and relics left from
the city's logging history. The
nearby North Cascades National Park offers entry into the stunning
glacial wilderness. Glittering waterfalls,
deeply cut gorges and towering peaks await the hardy hikers and mountain
climbers. The Mt.
Baker Ranger District offers a variety of activities, with more than
8,000 acres of wilderness ready for snowmobiles and snowshoes, cross-country
skiers and campers. Nine-mile long
Baker Lake along with many winding rivers gives a challenge to fishermen
and boaters, with some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the region.
Anacortes City lies on the other side of Skagit County, on
beautiful Fidalgo
Island in Puget Sound. One
of the county's larger cities, with a population of close to 15,000, Anacortes
is home to the Washington
State Ferry, from which all the San
Juan Islands may be explored. Whale
watching emerges as a fine-honed art here, as well as sport fishing and scuba
diving. The Waterfront Festival
each May celebrates island living, while the giant Anacortes
Art Festival draws patrons and artisans from far-off destinations to
enjoy the music, food and art along the scenic coastline.
The water is not Anacortes' only charm.
Three thousand acres of community forestland and eighteen city parks
grace the area, with twenty miles of prime hiking and biking trails.
A climb to the top of the island's Mount Erie gives a spectacular
360-degree view of this enchanting region.
Skagit County, Washington, so diversified in
climate, terrain, commerce and people, could take months of exploring before
discovering all its treasures. An
exquisite gem of an area, Skagit County holds a little bit of everything.
<<Back
to Our Community
|
|
|
|
