Behind the Sign

Tales From the Magic Skagit: Tales from the Crypt

Back when I wrote my original story about the history of Newhalem, I mentioned two places on my suggested walking tour that I had missed during my earlier visit: Ladder Creek Falls Gardens and the crypt of J.D. and Alice Ross. This story makes up for my previous omissions, and adds another layer to the story of Seattle City Light and its famous superintendent.

Tales From the Magic Skagit: We Are The Champions!

Those of you Tales From the Magic Skagit readers who have followed the story of Mount Vernon's epic tulip poplar at the corner of Cleveland and Snoqualmie will be pleased to know that we've learned more about our State Champion, thanks to the efforts of an "arboreal trophy hunter" named Robert Van Pelt.

Tales From the Magic Skagit: The (Almost) Secret Garden of Emma Jarvis

Even if you are strolling past the garden on the west side of First Street, near the intersection with Kincaid, it would be easy to miss the sign dedicating this floral display to a former school cafeteria worker, German immigrant, and avid gardener. But just who was Emma Jarvis?

Tales From the Magic Skagit: ‘Rhod’ Rage!

If Cleveland Street ever considers changing its name, I think it should be called Rhododendron Way. While there are magnificent rhodies to be seen all over the Valley, the concentration of epic blooms along Cleveland Street — especially between Hazel and Kincaid — is worth a slow ride on a sunny day. Or better yet, park the car and head north. You are in for some jaw dropping floral displays

“Tulipomania” and a Nation of Greater Fools

If you think we’re obsessed with tulips here in the Magic Skagit, a place where one month of every year is dedicated to a carnival of blooms, we’ve got nothing on Holland in the years between 1634 and 1637, when “tulipomania” reigned.

Tales From the Magic Skagit: The Story of Pasek Cellars

In vino veritas — in wine is truth — and the truth is that Pasek Cellars is yet another example of a local agricultural enterprise whose reputation, like that of our world famous blooms, has grown well beyond the Magic Skagit. I’ll drink to that.

Tales From the Magic Skagit: A Tulip Tower of Power

The origin story of Mount Vernon's iconic Tulip Tower goes back to a time when the Skagit Valley was better known for its dairy industry than for flower bulbs.

Tulip Trivia: How the Ultimate Tulip Festival Brought Down a Turkish Sultan

When it comes to celebrating blooms, if you want to party like it’s 1999 you’d be hard pressed to top the Turkish sultan Ahmed III, whose reign in Istanbul from 1703 to 1730 was known as the lale devri (tulip era) by historians chronicling the Ottoman Empire. Tulips were also his undoing. You always hurt the one you love, as Hank Williams sang.

Under a Tulip Moon

Mount Vernon artist Jennifer McGill and her husband were cruising the tulip fields exactly one year ago today when the inspiration for this year’s official Tulip Festival poster struck. This is the story behind the image.

Spring Hopes Eternal: Welcome Back, Tulip Festival. We Missed You!

The Tulip Festival is back. The Tulip Festival is back. The Tulip Festival is back. Have I made myself clear on this point?

The Future’s So Bright, We Gotta Wear Shades — The View from Phase III

Welcome to Phase III. Consider this essay a verbal bouquet of daffodils and tulips...and hang in there, Magic Skagit. You've got this.

Day Tripping: Welcome to The Reptile Zoo

Fifty minutes from Mount Vernon there’s a place in Monroe, Washington where even in the dead of winter you’ll feel as though it’s a May evening on the bayou. That place is The Reptile Zoo. If the name conjures up images of sketchy carnival sideshow attractions, prepare yourself for a very pleasant surprise.

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