Community Outreach and Tourism Specialist
Exploring the beautiful Skagit Valley
One season at a time…
I have always loved having new experiences. From when I was very young, I was constantly moving from one place to another. This has allowed me to gain a sense of wonder about all the places I have yet to see. I am a Pacific Northwest transplant, and I couldn’t be happier that I wound up here. There is a richness to this area that is hard to describe. The history of the rise of agriculture is especially interesting to me. I have a background in agriculture and horticulture, so I appreciate the abundance of the land of the Skagit valley and the surrounding area. The health of the environment and the ecosystems that thrive here are so beautiful to see.
There is a balance that I can feel from winter transitioning into spring. Long and dark days lengthened into seemingly endless, hot, and gorgeous summer months. The summer here is short but magical. The seasons transition seamlessly and quickly into one another and if you don’t stop to pay attention, the next season will be upon you. My goal this year is to not miss a beat. I want to fully submerse myself into each season, appreciating all it has to offer and jumping headfirst into all the events that are available. The Skagit Valley and surrounding area have an almost overwhelming number of activities one can become involved with.
The winter offers Eagle Fest, seed swaps, fundraisers, and cozy nights of indulging in delicious local eats. The spring brings daffodils and tulips, and concerts at wineries and breweries. The summer is an endless pool of potential, with the long days begging us to stay out and play late into the night by sipping on locally made brews or craft cocktails while watching our favorite band perform. The Fall is for festivals, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and pumpkin ales from so many local brewers. Everywhere you look or drive within a 50-mile radius there are different activities to experience, amazing views, and sunsets to die for. It is this never-ending joy ride available to anyone, young and old. There is something for everyone, whether you’d rather go on a sunset cruise and see whales with your own eyes or take a ferry to a beautiful island, or go tubing down a river.
I am very excited to see how many of these events and activities I can manage to experience in one year. As the Community Outreach and Tourism Specialist (COATS for short), I have the pleasure of taking you all along this journey with me. To not only experience Burlington, but all the spokes on the proverbial wheel that is Skagit Valley and beyond. Burlington truly is the Hub City, geographically as well as socially and economically. I will share my experiences with you all and hope to inspire more people to come play and stay in this magical place I am so lucky to explore.
Picture of a photo of Skagit Valley taken at the Apothecary Wellness and Spa in Burlington, WA