The Bellingham Guide

You Belong Here.

Karen Ghio

Tulip Mania!

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A field of pink tulips against a clear cloudy sky

It is that time of year again. You know it is coming when the, for some reason, less admired daffodils start blooming along the side of the road on Highway 20. It’s tulip season.

For those not acquainted with this annual event in the nearby Skagit Valley, I will first present the fun story explaining how the Skagit Valley became the premier location for growing the gorgeous, universally loud, and kind to those with allergies, tulip.

For those new to the area, buckle up, tulip mania is serious business, and if you have never seen the riotous fields of raucous color, this blog will be your primer on being “in the know.”

First, the tulip has a strange backstory. Much like the ups and downs of the real estate market, tulips were once so coveted that for a brief time in history, the Dutch economy revolved around and almost was destroyed by this seemingly innocuous bulb.

While many people might be aware that the tulip is universally associated with the Netherlands, what was news to me, and might be to you, is that the tulip originated in the Tian Shan mountain ranges in Central Asia. After travelers in the time of the Ottoman Empire encountered its beauty there, the tulip was brought to the Netherlands, where it quickly became synonymous with windmills and wooden shoes. (Mental Itch)

In the mid-1500s, Carolus Clusius, a botanist who studied and taught at the University of Leiden, discovered that tulips could create streaks of variegated color in their blooms. Clusius termed this unique botanical event “tulip breaking.” (Mental Itch) It was the distinctive streaking (or breaking) that caused tulip mania.

Today, we know that tulip breaking is caused by a specific virus that infects the bulbs, but in the 1500s, when Clusius first discovered this trait, it was unknown how it occurred. So great was the desire of the Dutch to have multicolored streaks in their tulips that the fever for collecting and trading in tulip bulbs began.

The price of tulip bulbs became so great that it was recorded in 1620 that an entire townhouse was offered in exchange for ten bulbs of Semper Augustus, a tulip famed for looking like a candy cane. The owner of the bulbs declined the trade. (Laskow, 2022)

The mania reached a record high in 1637 when a bulb called Switsers increased in value by nearly 1000% from previous years. Around this point, the Dutch realized the price of tulips had become too high, and prices quickly started to drop. (Mental Itch)

This spelled financial collapse for those who had gambled their life savings and invested in the tulip. The drop in value happened so rapidly that the Dutch government had to step in and financially assist those facing certain ruin. (Mental Itch)

Now that you know the backstory of this weird chapter in human/tulip history, let’s look at how the tulip became synonymous with traffic congestion, long-range telephoto lenses, circling cars looking for parking spots, and even lawsuits in the Skagit Valley.

The first recorded person to order tulip bulbs from Holland to plant in the Skagit Valley is credited to a woman named Mary Stewart. Mrs. Stewart moved from Ohio to Samish Island in early 1900, reportedly seeking a “healthier climate.” (Meyers Signs, 2023)

In 1906 when her first batch of tulips arrived by boat, it was recorded that most of the community came to witness the unloading of what most citizens saw as a bit of frivolity. Why would anyone plant something that one could not eat? (Meyers Signs, 2023)

However, Mrs. Meyers had bigger plans than planting flowers in her yard to memorialize her late mother. Soon, Mrs. Meyers was growing entire fields of tulips, mostly in Bellingham and always for the resale of the bulbs. So agreeable was the tulip bulb with our maritime climate that Mrs. Meyers quickly became the premier grower of tulip bulbs in the Pacific Northwest.

After outgrowing their original 40 acres near La Conner and tired of the commute to Bellingham, the Stewarts eventually purchased 250 acres in 1930 in Mt. Vernon. Here, the Stewart family started what is now known as the first tulip farm in the Skagit Valley.  It was called the Tulip Grange Bulb Farm.

After Mrs. Stewart’s husband Sam passed in 1972 at 69, the farm was sold to The American Bulb Company. Just 12 years later, the first tulip festival was held. (Meyers Signs, 2023)

Today, according to the Washington State University Skagit Valley Extension Service, 75% of tulips grown commercially come not from the Netherlands but right here in the Skagit Valley. With over 1000 acres and 75 million cut flowers, the tulip shows no sign of slowing down in popularity. (Washington State Cooperative Extension)

One can imagine that competition for tourist dollars is fierce during the tulip festival. So much so that recently a lawsuit was filed over competing farms not honoring understood rules of conduct over not trying to steal customers. (Stone, 2023)

Bad blood aside, the annual tulip festival is undoubtedly a draw for those who need to breathe in (at least with their eyes, as tulips are mostly fragrance-free) the first signs of spring. 

If you want to participate in the festival, plan to spend the entire day. The traffic jams are as legendary as the spectacle. Also, be prepared to pay to park in one of the many lots offered at each farm. While there is a bit of walking necessary to access the fields, handicap-friendly gardens are also offered at many of the venues.

For a complete list of the farms and a map on how best to plan your visit, please consider following this link https://www.parentmap.com/article/skagit-valley-tulip-festival-2023-family-guide

As you gaze at the incredible variety offered at each farm, look for the famous candy cane-colored tulips and remember that an entire economy almost collapsed due to its stunning beauty!

See you out there.

References

Alamy. (n.d.). Alamy. Retrieved April 17, 2023, from Stitsers Tulip Image: https://www.alamy.com/neha-tulip-book-p003-switsers-image402241673.html

Laskow, S. (2022, July 12). Atlas Obscura. Retrieved from The Most Beautiful Tulip in History Cost as Much as a House: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/semper-augustus-tulip-netherlands

Mental Itch. (n.d.). Mental Itch. Retrieved from The Strange and Unusual History of Tulip Mania: https://mentalitch.com/the-strange-and-unusual-history-of-tulip-mania/

Meyers Signs. (2023). Meyers Signs. Retrieved from Tales From the Magic Skagit: Our Lady of the Tulips: https://meyersign.com/2021/03/tales-from-the-magic-skagit-our-lady-of-the-tulips

Oakley, J. (2004, March 18). History Link. Retrieved from Skagit Valley-Thumbnail History: https://www.historylink.org/file/5663

Ryu, W.-S. (2017). Science Direct. Retrieved April 17, 2023, from Tulip Breaking Virus: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/tulip-breaking-virus

Stone, B. (2023, April 7). GoSkagit. Retrieved from Tulip Town sues new tulip garden, alleging deceptive practices: https://www.goskagit.com/growskagit/tulip-town-sues-new-tulip-garden-alleging-deceptive-practices

Univeristy of Leiden. (n.d.). Univeristy of Leiden. Retrieved April 17, 2023, from About: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en

Washington State Cooperative Extension. (n.d.). Washington State Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from Guided Tulip Tours: https://extension.wsu.edu/skagit/mg/tulip-tours/

The Power of Silence

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Recently, a social media content contributor I like reminded people online to think about their reactions regarding their insistence that someone (in this case, the content creator) needed to “do what I say as I am offended by you.”

This influencer responded to a torrent of hate being thrown at them with the simple yet effective “You are free to silence me in your world, but you are not free to silence me in mine. @therealslimsherri

I want to address this in more depth as it is a subject that needs to be visited by all those offended by content they disagree with and then decide to post offensive content themselves. This reaction results in displaying the falsely held belief that somehow we are entitled to spread hate speech as a reaction to views that contradict our own.

We all have unique views that reflect our deeply held values. Those views come from many places and are as valid as anyone else’s. However, when these views translate into fear, what could have once been a simple disagreement often turns into hatred, bullying, and even violence. When fear drives your value system, you can become the person you shouldn’t want to be if you were to reflect upon it.

Many of us feel that if we support people targeted with hate speech, we are free to espouse as much anger towards their online abusers as the abusers used in the first place. Yet, hate begets hate, and nobody moves forward. This is a tiring truth in America. Everyone thinks they are correct, and when they feel threatened, that correctness turns into righteousness, and we often end up hurting the people we want to support.

Studies show that over 28% of Americans report trolling someone online. Over a quarter of the population has intentionally interrupted a post with hate speech to hurt people they do not know. Trolling behavior was extensively studied in a 2014 report titled Trolls Want To Have Fun by psychologists Erin Buckels, Paul Trapnell, and Delroy Paulhus. The authors demonstrate that trolls exhibit a triad of behaviors they identify as sadistic, psychopathic, and Machiavellian. (RAMPTON, 2017)

I cannot think of anyone who has not responded to a hateful online comment, particularly if it deeply affects you or a family member with anger. This is a natural but ineffective method of stopping a troll. When you consider that trolling behavior stems from deeper sources than you might have realized, meaning sadistic, psychotic, or Machiavellian[1], it should be an excellent wake-up call to not respond with words but with action. 

Deleting hate speech from your social media feed effectively counters trolls. All the current uproar of cancel culture is not a valid point here. Silencing a disturbed person who is attacking you with hate speech is what anybody would do in the tangible world, and it is what you should be doing in the ether. It hurts to be threatened and even frightening, yet the good news is that you do not know this person, and they do not know you. Do not ignite their mental issues with more fuel, as tempting as it is.  Instead, pause, take a deep breath, hit delete, and block. Then do what you want the trolls to do and move on to something more positive.

We hear a lot post-pandemic about self-care. We all need to heed this advice. Deleting to erase hate is self-care and how we as a society can help stop the spread of more hate. 

This is not to suggest in any way that you should also monitor your thoughtful yet possibly provoking posts to ensure you do not hit any rage buttons. If you have passions that include promoting equal rights and protection for others, be they people, animals, or plants, or find yourself being attacked for something that seems benign, stand your ground with facts, statistics, and truth. Remember Slim Sherri’s powerful words when the trolls try to shut you down, “you can shut me down in your world, but not in mine.”  

Stay in your power, promote good, harm no one, hit delete when necessary, and together we will light a path forward.

References

RAMPTON, J. (2017, February 17). Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved from 15 Truths About Online Trolls: https://www.entrepreneur.com/science-technology/15-truths-about-online-troll

[1] cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics.

Finding a Safe Place to Move for Families of Transgendered Children and Youth.

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According to the Human Rights Campaign https://www.hrc.org/about,  the largest LBTBQ+ lobbying organization in the United States, and Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/ another human rights advocacy group, as of July of last year, 121 bills directly targeting transgender people, and youth have been proposed. (Ronan, 2021)  This number is steadily climbing.  

These proposed bills include 36 transgender-specific healthcare bans in 22 states and 66 transgender sports bans in 36 states. (Ronan, 2021) From making it illegal and punishable by law for parents to provide access to gender-affirming healthcare and for the healthcare system to provide it to forcing people to use their assigned birth names, use the incorrect restroom, and be forced to stop playing school-sanctioned sports, the fearmongering continues.

The fact is that most Americans, including most of the GOP, oppose these bills. In a 2021 Marist Poll by NPR, two-thirds of Americans reject these proposed anti-trans targeted laws. (NPR, 2021) When this group was asked if they “support or reject transition-related healthcare for minors,” 70% of Republicans reported that they do not support these bills. This was the highest percentage of those responding.   According to the Marist Poll, 66% of those polled oppose healthcare bans, and 67% oppose anti-trans sports bans. (NPR, 2021)

To help track which states score lowest and highest in laws protecting human rights, we can look to the Movement Advancement Map. https://transgenderlawcenter.org/equalitymap This easy-to-use tool provided by Transgender Law Center tracks how well individual state rate regarding Relationship & Parental Recognition, Nondiscrimination, Religious Exemptions, LGBTQ Youth, Health Care, Criminal Justice, and Identity Documents. (Transgender Law Center, 2023)

As you navigate the information provided in the MAP database, it is important to remember what is written above regarding the power of hope. Most people in the United States, including those in states that rate poorly regarding human rights proposals, do not endorse hate-filled, fear-based legislation. 

Most proposed anti-transgender targeted bills come primarily from three main sources. The Heritage Foundation https://www.heritage.org/about-heritage/mission Family Policy Alliance https://familypolicyalliance.com/about/about-us/ and the Alliance Defending Freedom https://adflegal.org/landing/standing-for-religious-freedom Former Vice President Mike Pence is a strong supporter of The Heritage Foundation (Heritage Foundation, 2021) as is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. (Heritage Foundation, 2023) This is why they persist despite most Americans being opposed to these fear-mongering bills.   These proposed and, in some cases, enacted bills and laws exist because the politicians at the helm of several powerful states are using the power of hate to put forth their fear-based agenda, hurting people. People you might know, people you might love, people who want to live their lives with the same freedoms that we all should have equal access to, yet here we are in 2023, fighting for what should not be a fight at all and certainly not a fight against young people who in the land of the free and certainly brave should receive the highest level of care and protections.

There is hope. There always is. To quote the late Václav Havel, the former President and famous playwright dissident of Czechoslovakia, “There are times when we must sink to the bottom of our misery to understand truth, just as we must descend to the bottom of a well to see the stars in broad daylight. The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart, in the human power to reflect, in human meekness and human responsibility.” (Goodreads)

In the fight against those who would steal another’s power to bolster their own falsely, we offer the chance for sanctuary. When we look at the above MAP outlining which states are rising to protect their citizens, we see this hope in green.

Washington State is green for many reasons, but being a sanctuary state for those persecuted for existing is the best reason to be green. The lush forests, the fields of grass, and the moniker of Seattle being “The Emerald City” all pale in comparison to the real reason Washington State is a green light for hope. Should you find yourself needing the protection of a state where common sense and the protection of trans children and adults’ rights matter, we want to extend an invitation to seek this greenery for yourself and for your family.

Living here, especially in Bellingham, where it is common to see equality stickers and pride flags, is why I am writing this piece to you. We lived here before our child came out as transgendered. We have always supported the inclusion of all people as equals, yet the support of our community became critical when we needed to know that our child would be safe. That our child would be free to live their life as they see fit to live it. That they would be able to gain employment and have access to trans-positive health care. To wear clothing that they feel good in, to use the correct restroom, and to have a name that they chose. In short, that our beloved child would be seen as an equal human to everyone else. This exists in many places, not just here in Bellingham, but we can only write about our experience of inclusion from a deeply personal perspective; this includes where we live. Bellingham is special. The love we as a community have for our children extends past the fear pouring out of Washington, DC. As a community, we stand together against hatred and invite you to experience this acceptance for yourself.

In states and towns where it is becoming frightening for same-sex couples to hold hands on a date, this is a routine sight in our special town. Where transgendered children are being banned from receiving life-affirming health care, we openly embrace this care and offer it at many healthcare facilities, including low-income clinics.

The city of Bellingham offers this statement regarding human rights in our special town “The City of Bellingham supports each individual’s right to be treated with dignity and to live without fear of violence, intimidation, or discrimination based on group identification or personal characteristics. These include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious belief or non-belief, age, class, disability, veteran or military status, and political opinion.” (City of Bellingham)

The Bellingham City Council takes this further by stating that they align with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights. When people became fearful that their human rights would be in jeopardy following the 2017 election, the City of Bellingham issued RESOLUTION NO. 2017-10 https://codepublishing-modern-prod.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/  which addresses in detail that Bellingham will stand up for the rights of all people, particularly migrants, those identifying as LGTBQ+, that Black Lives Matter and that treaty rights and the rights of our sovereign neighbors will always be upheld and respected.

While there are endless media stories detailing the effects of fearful politicians scrambling to take away the rights of others to curry favor with the minority, there are places where these voices are not the voice of the community. Bellingham is an example of such a place. Bellingham is a proud community of people who believe that human rights are rights for all and not some. 

If you need to leave your state due to the increasingly alarming climate of anti-trans or anti-LGTBQ legislation, we are here for you. We are also here if you need to be connected to resources to help make this move more manageable. We are here if you need to ask questions about schools, housing, healthcare policies, and access, or the general support climate and resources available for you or your family. 

We are all members of the human race. If you feel that you can no longer live in a state where the current politics are making it illegal to exist, there is hope.

You Belong Here 

References

Anti-Defamation League. (2021, April 16). Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved from Anti-Transgender Legislation: Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/anti-transgender-legislation-frequently-asked-questions

City of Bellingham. (n.d.). City of Bellingham. Retrieved from Commitment of Human Rights: https://cob.org/about/commitment-to-human-rights

Goodreads. (n.d.). Goodreads. Retrieved from Famous quotes by Václav Havel.: https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/71441.V_clav_Havel

Heritage Foundation. (2021, February 4). Heritage Foundation. Retrieved from Vice President Mike Pence Joins Heritage Foundation as Distinguished Visiting Fellow: https://www.heritage.org/press/vice-president-mike-pence-joins-heritage-foundation-distinguished-visiting-fellow

Heritage Foundation. (2023, March 21). Heritage Foundation. Retrieved from Gov. Ron DeSantis to Headline Heritage’s 50th Anniversary Leadership Summit in April : https://www.heritage.org/press/gov-ron-desantis-headline-heritages-50th-anniversary-leadership-summit-april

NPR. (2021, April 16). NPR. Retrieved from New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti-transgender laws: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-poll-shows-americans-overwhelmingly-oppose-anti-transgender-laws

O’Hara, E. (2021, April 14). GLAAD. Retrieved from Guide for Journalists: Reporting On Anti-Trans State Legislation: https://www.glaad.org/blog/guide-journalists-reporting-anti-trans-state-legislation

Ronan, W. (2021, April 12). Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved from 1,500+ Parents of Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender-Expansive Youth Condemn Anti-Trans Bills in Open Letter to Lawmakers: https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/1-500-parents-of-transgender-non-binary-and-gender-expansive-youth-condemn-anti-trans-bills-in-open-letter-to-lawmakers

Thoreson, R. (2023, January 20). Human Rights Watch. Retrieved from Lawmakers in the US Unleash Barrage of Anti-Transgender Bills: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/01/20/lawmakers-us-unleash-barrage-anti-transgender-bills

Transgender Law Center. (2023). Transgender Law Center. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from National Equality Map: Movement Advancement Project “Equality Maps Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality By State.”: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/equalitymap

This letter was written by concerned parents of trans youth from across America. The Human Rights Campaign delivered this letter on behalf of these 1500+ parents to elected officials in Washington, DC.

C:\Users\karen\OneDrive\Documents\Human Rights Campaign Letter to Elected Officials.docx

Money and Happiness

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How much do you really need?

We have by now all seen this quote emblazoned on the side of the vans that daily swarm virtually every neighborhood in America. I like that it includes a warning because that is what this post is all about. Happiness.  Does it really need to come in the form of a package?  In America, the land of endless click and get, we have been conditioned to think so, but studies into what truly makes humans happy show otherwise.

“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness isn’t spending it right.”

Ironically, this line was affixed to a series of Lexus ads a few years back. The message is that if you could afford that flashy new vehicle, your life would be instantly and, hopefully, permanently happy. However, If you have ever been lured into actually doing this, you know firsthand that it is untrue.  The lift one feels after purchasing a new car, home, pair of designer jeans, or expensive handbag is temporary.  The feeling lasts for a while, but ultimately, the need for more begins anew.

To find what will make us stop pushing the button for the next thing, we should examine the self-proclaimed happiest country in the world, Finland. According to a Gallup-based poll, Finland’s happiness meter ranks at the top for the sixth year in a row.  Finland is followed respectively by Denmark and Iceland.  For perspective, the United States ranks #15, right after Ireland. (Hunter, 2023) 

How do Finland and all Nordic countries fare so well in the happiness department? The government system set up to support the citizens of these countries offers free health care, free education, paid family leave, and an adjustable work week. This leaves more time to be with family and friends and also bolsters the desire of the citizens of these countries to protect what they have.  This results in Nordic countries having the lowest crime rates in the world. This desire to protect rather than defend the Nordic way of life is a deep departure from the competitive nature of American culture, where everything from how accurately you can throw an axe to how many steps you log over your day is cataloged then displayed on social media.  Finns tend not to participate in this competitive style and instead do activities because it pleases them, not because it will make them look better than their friends or family members.

Let’s get back to what this means for you and me.  Moving to Finland is most likely not in the cards for us, so what can we do to understand how to capture some of this Nordic joy?  Next, let’s look at Maslov’s well-known needs scale to help us all understand why more does not always translate into joy.

In Maslov’s model, we see that if one does not have enough money to meet basic physiological needs, money can indeed buy happiness. We must have basic provisions to be at a baseline of happiness. The next level regarding safety also involves a financial bottom line.  If one does not feel safe, does not have stable income opportunities, access to health care, or lives in a war zone, access to the financial means to upgrade oneself out of this place is great, and the resulting increase in meeting one’s needs for safety will definitely increase one’s level of happiness.

The next levels in Maslov’s scale are where the amount of money one has in relation to their sense of belonging part ways. While it seems in many ways that one can purchase status through material goods and perhaps respect through a high level of education, this does not last. In the orange and green zones, many people in America get stuck in the never-ending cycle of pushing the button to get the thing that will finally stop that inner voice saying, “If only you just had X, you would have everything.” This is the irony of the final level in Maslov’s scale.

Self-actualization in this model is listed as the highest level of happiness.  It is what people in Finland enjoy more than anyone else in the world. Self-actualization does not happen because of how much one owns.  It happens because we are happy with who we are.

How does this look in reality? Our eldest son is an excellent example.  He analyzed his life in the corporate world and decided never to become a part of it.  He buys exactly what he needs to meet levels one and two on Maslov’s scale; levels three and four come naturally because he is not in debt, has a job he loves, and truly enjoys being a part of our family life. His existence is his creation, and this sense of personal ownership allows him to work toward self-actualization faster than someone buried in debt and living far above their means. How does he do this?  He lives in an old, retrofitted RV that he lovingly maintains; he rides a motorcycle to save gas because it brings him joy and works enough hours to meet his needs. He determines all his life choices, not an external source.  He also lives in Whatcom County, close to the water, with monthly living expenses well under $1000.  Should he choose to, he will be purchasing his first home in a few short years.

Lexus was right; how you spend your money directly determines how happy you are. So, to follow in Finland’s footsteps, buy a home that is easy to make your mortgage payments on, and then with the extra time you now have because you do not need to work as much, skip the drive in the never purchased Lexus and take a much-needed walk in the woods.

See you out there.

References

Aleksandrovič, E. (2022, Juanary 13). Adventures.com. Retrieved from WHY IS FINLAND THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD?: https://adventures.com/blog/finland-happiest-country

FUTRELLE, D. (2017, August 7). Time. Retrieved from Here’s How Money Really Can Buy You Happiness: https://time.com/4856954/can-money-buy-you-happiness/

Hunter, M. (2023, March 20). CNN. Retrieved from The World’s happiest countries for 2023: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/world-happiest-countries-2023-wellness

First Adventure With Gracie

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After many incredible adventures in our Tab Outback, we made the decision to upgrade to a Micro Minnie off-road trailer.  This week was our test run, and it went well.

Mid-week adventures are always easy when traveling to the well-appointed Bayview Campground, only 30 minutes south of Bellingham.

We arrived Wednesday to blue skies and a full campground!  It seems that everyone we met was doing the exact same thing by taking their new or new to them rig out for the first time. We met people from nearby Lynden, Seattle, Portland, and Blaine.

Our traveling companion for this adventure is our baby pup Gracie who, at six months old, has never been with us on an adventure.  She was bundled into her puffy coat, and knowing she was off for something new seemed to settle well with her.

In addition to this being a shakedown for the new rig, I also needed to do some much-needed orchard work at Padilla Bay Estuary, where I am their resident Lorax. 

What is a Lorax in the real sense?  I truly speak for the trees and have for many years.  The 65-acre property that the reserve resides on is home to the original Breazeale Homestead.  Many heritage fruit trees were planted by the Breazeale family, and it is my job to take care of them.  I have been a heritage orchard specialist for close to 25 years.  Watching a formally neglected fruit tree return to full health and fruit production is a joy I never ceased to be amazed by.  My main focus is Padilla, but I have also restored many trees in Whatcom County.  If you purchase a home with fruit trees and need advice on restoring them back to health, never hesitate to ask me.  I work for the trees and for our clients.

Thursday afternoon was spent visiting another homestead and assisting a friend with a fruit tree restoration plan.  Thursday night was filled with beach walks, an outdoor cookout, many snuggles with Gracie, and movies in the Minnie Winnie.

Friday morning, we awoke to misty grey skies.  Perfect for a PNW walk on the beach, where we, unfortunately, saw multiple green crab shells.  The invasion of European Green Crab is of top concern for the Dept. of Ecology as this species is already devastating our fisheries and the overall ecology of our PNW waters.  To learn more about this situation, please click this link. https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/invasive/carcinus-maenas 

Another special week spent adventuring Ghio style!  From testing out the new rig to pruning trees and beach walks with baby Gracie, I would say this trip was perfect from start to finish.

Stay tuned as we decide where we are off to next!

Easy Getaways From Bellingham – The Edison Chicken Parade

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It’s high noon on the last Sunday of February in the tiny town of Edison, WA. Do you know where your chicken hat is? 

Welcome to the annual and beloved Edison Chicken Parade! This event, held for the wonderful purpose of bringing the community together was started about eight years ago by a local couple who wanted to celebrate bringing people together to coincide with the annual bird festival that celebrates the rich diversity of avian life in the Skagit Valley.

Francine Price, a local resident combines her skills as a knitter with her love of poultry and knits fabulous chicken hats that each come with their own name.  My version is a brown speckled beauty named Henrietta.  I receive only the highest of compliments whenever Henrietta accompanies me into the field.

If you have never ventured into the quaint town of Edison, recently dubbed “The Kindness Town”, you are truly missing out on a tiny town with a truly strange history.

Located just under 30 minutes from Bellingham, this special hamlet offers more than what one might expect from a town with a population just shy of 300 souls.

Edison was first settled in 1869 by a man named Ben Samson.  He named the settlement after Thomas Edison, the famous inventor and creator of the light bulb.

In 1897, out of the financial panic of 1893, a Utopian socialist project called The Equality Colony was established in Edison. After 280 acres of land was purchased for the colony for the sum of $2,854.16, a sawmill was established to produce enough lumber from the cleared timber to start building homes for the colony residents. Anyone was welcome, wages were equal (even for women) and anyone wishing to be a part of the colony needed to pay a one-time membership fee of $160. (Cipalla, 2019)

Equality Colony was but one commune that sprung out of the main branch known as The Brotherhood of the Cooperative Commonwealth. Most of these cooperatives died out shortly after their inception, but Equality Colony held on until their ranks reached 300 members. After the group could not agree on how best to organize their operations and the main barn burned down due to suspected arson, the group officially disbanded in 1907.

The end of the Equality Colony was noted in the New York Times in an article dated April 25, 1907. “Equality,’ a Socialist colony established in 1897, was wiped out of existence by a court order yesterday, Judge Joyner of Skagit County directing that the property be sold to pay the colony’s debts. The property consists of 600 acres of land, a sawmill, a printing plant, and twenty dwellings” (“Socialist Colony A Failure”). (Cipalla, 2019)

It is not the first time nor the last that the charming town of Edison would attract national media attention.  In 2017 an article appeared in Food and Wine with food writer David Landsel stating that tiny Edison to be “one of the best places to eat in the Pacific Northwest.” With monthly Paella Parties being offered at the delectable and outrageously charming spot, Slough Foods, one cannot deny this statement to be true.  Nearby Mariposa Cantina offers some of the best Mexican Cuisine I have ever experienced and for a lovely evening after bird watching, the newly opened Cob and Cork is not to be missed.  The also full of charm, Rhododendron Café has been a mainstay since 1984.  Pub fare paired with excellent microbrew and spirits can be had at Terramar who just recently won awards at the San Francisco World Spirits and ADI International Spirits Competition, the 2022 Sip Award for Best in the Northwest and the 2022 Washington Beer award for their Octopus Garden Gose and their Apricity Saison. If a pet friendly option is more your speed, the Longhorn Saloon offers excellent pub fare with a back yard where well-mannered pups are welcomed to roam. Before you leave the Kindness Town, be sure to grab some bakery goods from The Great Harvest Bread Company.

From domesticated birds to the greatest wild birds that Washington state has to offer, there is no place like the Skagit Valley to soak up the incredible sights along with enjoying the quirky, wonderful artist haven that Edison has become.

See you out there!

References

Cipalla, R. (2019, May 30). HistoryLink. Retrieved from Edison — Thumbnail History: https://www.historylink.org/File/20788

Stayton, M. (2013, December 31). GoSkagit.com. Retrieved from New owner for the Rhody Cafe: https://www.goskagit.com/all_access/new-owner-for-the-rhody-cafe/article

Terrmar. (n.d.). Terrmar Brewing and Distilling. Retrieved from Terrmar Brewing and Distilling: https://www.terramarcraft.com/

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