No. 233 NAKASHIMA HERITAGE BARN

NAKASHIMA HERITAGE BARN NORTH TRAILHEAD

32328 State Route 9

Arlington, WA

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Started in 1989 during Washington State's 100th centennial celebration, the Centennial Trail is a 30 mile long paved pedestrian walkway. At 12 feet wide, slight grade this trail is popular for walkers, hikers, dogs, cyclists and even riders on horseback with the flanked grassy path running parallel to the trail. The Centennial Trail runs from downtown Snohomish to the north to the Skagit Valley County Line. With future plans to expand and connect it other popular area trails in the north and the south such as Woodinville's Burke-Gilman Trail. 

Since 2011 Snohomish County has added 9 miles to the Centennial Trail which runs through the towns of Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Marysville and Arlington as a "Rails to Trails" project repurposing a former Burlington-Norther Railroad line.

The most recent expansion was a 4-mile long extension to the trail from Bryant Lake to the Nakashima Barn. This portion of the trail crosses over to the west side of SR-9 and begins its meander through cedar and spruce wetlands. This section is also called "Eagle's Landing" for its frequent sightings of bald eagles in the trees. 

There is ample parking at the Nakashima Heritage Barn for pedestrians and a few spaces for horse trailers. There is a year round porta potty available but no water fountain. 

Nakashima Dairy Barn

Headed south towards Pillchuck Creek 

Bald Eagles off the trail

Red Tailed Hawk spotted in a clearning

Red Tailed Hawk passing by 

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No. 173 2013 Spring has Sprung

Mount Vernon, Wa
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Distance from Seattle: 62miles 1hr 10min
Rating: 4 out 5
Reason to go: Short drive from Seattle to see hundreds of acres of wildflowers, daffodils and tulips in all sizes and colors. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the most fantastic events in the state of Washington.  It runs from April 1 to April 30 every single year. Its worth it to start your day really early or go during the week. The word is out and weekends the tulip route will be packed with young kids and families. If your into Landscape or Flower photography this festival will give you great subjects to photograph.

TIPS: Although the Tulip Festival runs from April 1st through April 30th the actual blooming of the tulips varies with weather conditions. Short or long winter weather can cause tulips to bloom earlr or be delayed a few weeks. Check http://www.tulipfestival.orgTulip Festival / for current field conditions.

 If you do plan on going to the Tulip Festival. LEAVE EARLY in the morning to avoid the traffic mess, easier to find parking, setup your camera in a field looking east for a nice sunrise shot. Shoot by yourself and not have many people will be walking through your shot. The best light is in the morning and towards the evening.
It can be cloudy in Seattle but bright and sunny in Mount Vernon. Once the sun gets up over the cascade mountains the sky becomes a huge baby blue light box and it will be harder to find the right exposure for the flowers.
Tulips grow on raised mounds of dirt. Depending on previous days weather you could be walking on soft dirt or trekking through mud puddles, so bring shoes and pants that you don't mind getting dirty.

Every year the layout of fields change, to find out where things are  you can download a field map from Tulip Festival. Some of the growers charge a parking fee of $3-$5 to visit their grounds. Most of the streets that run between Mount Vernon and La Conner are 2 lane rural roads with NO SHOULDER PARKING.  There are ropes and signs all over the place telling people not to park on the side of the road, but as the day goes on and the mass of weekenders start to roll in you will see backups building up because people will stop in the middle of the road to admire the fields.

Postcards, Art Prints and Canvas Prints are available for sale here

Setting Fire to the Rain

Flooded Field at first light

Behind the scenes at the farm

Postcards, Art Prints and Canvas Prints are available for sale here

 

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No. 142 Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market
1501 Pike Place
Seattle, WA 98101
website: http://pikeplacemarket.org/

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Among the most written and visited tourist sites in Seattle is the Pike Place Public Market. Established in 1907, the market is one of the longest operating markets in the United States. It receives over 10 million visitors a year. The multi-level market features fresh produce and meats on the upper level and over 200 other vendors through out the 9 acre complex selling artisan breads, cheeses and artwork.
Its popularity means that the market fills up very quickly with shoppers and tourists. There is limited parking through out the area so the best approach is to use public transportation, arrive or early or late in the evenings. It is a good place for street photography and people watching. The large crowds of people also attract the high prices of produce and meats. You can expect to pay 20% or more over the standard grocery chain, but then you are also paying for the atmospheric shopping experience. On the south end of the market you can see and hear the famous Pike Place Fish Market tossing seafood around in their "flying fish" stick.

Pike Place Winter scene David Irons

Morning Deliveries

Frozen Dungeness Crab

Seafood Monger

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