La Conner is Washington State Jewel on the water

Most people rave about Seattle and its beauty, but as a business Farther north and a postcard parameters best revenge. Northwest Washington should be one of the most beautiful places on earth.

In northwest Washington, mountains, sea, land agriculture, the islands come together in a mosaic of colors and stunning terrain, a feast for the senses that is manifested in every direction you look. Not surprisingly, many people who live here are in fact part of the workforce of Puget Sound, moving from their jobs in the Seattle area, but worth thinking about the hours spent in the car every day if you can live where ever you donate your window or walk down the street, the landscape is as spectacular as the paint.

Halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia is the small town of La Conner, a short distance from the interstate and so light years from the bustle of the city and agitation. If straight from Seattle or Vancouver is one of those jewels that will be lost if I know it's there.

La Conner is just a small town, an enclave on the banks Swinomish Channel. Channel gives La Conner much of its color and atmosphere, an environment separate from the coast just to see the fishing boats and pleasure craft navigation Anacortes to the channel and then to the famous San Juan Islands. The Rainbow Bridge is the Golden Gate of La Conner, standing like a sentinel of the city and a must-inclusion in any respectable photograph of the city.

With its historic buildings, assorted restaurants in the center front channel of picturesque and interesting shops, The Conner is a destination for the stroller – ie the person who just happen to like walking through the city, absorbing the sounds and smells of salt water into the overhead exploration seabirds and visitors enjoy conversation and good to drink by the channel. It also will come as no surprise that local aesthetics are a major attraction for artists of all genres including famous residents such as the writer Tom Robbins.

The best way to enjoy the city is spending time in La Conner – Day trips are nice, but a night to relax and start doing things in "Time Conner." Things seem to move a bit slower on the people and find the Channel Lodge La Conner be custom made for this type of production. As its name suggests, the hostel is on the same channel, and overlooking the Rainbow Bridge and traffic boats in the frequency channel.

When designing the Channel Lodge La Conner went with a Cape Code type of shingle exterior that matches the situation completely. Inside, the units are quite unique and singular in the way that not only are rectangular, but in different lengths and widths of the separate chambers and angles. In our living room with fireplace with two upholstered chairs and a table is placed at an angle, while the fourth is a bank incorporated in the wall. There was not much space for a king bed and a nearby window overlooking the canal. A small lanai has allowed us to sit outside and watch the cruise ships that seemed to slow a few meters.

Another great addition to the La Conner Channel Lodge was the bathroom that offers an elegant spa tub located in any room of black and gray marble and tiles and dark wood accents give the room a luxurious look and feel have contributed to this seems a very special getaway.

the history of La Conner is evident in downtown buildings and historic houses that are in residential areas. With only 900 inhabitants, the city is small and visitors can walk the neighborhoods and because of the hills of the city, in the year doing a good deed. At the top of a hill is the Historical Museum of Skagit County, which has many vestiges of city, such as baskets of America, Shirley Temple dolls and a rich collection of historical documents and photographs.

One of the most historic buildings La Conner is the Mansion Porridge, which was built in 1891 by George and Luisa Porridge residence. Over the years the hotel has changed hands several times until it opened to the public the Conner's Quilt and Textile Museum in 1997. The first floor of the museum is decorated with Victorian furniture, while is the main exhibition space on floors second and third. The museum offers exhibitions of new every eight weeks, and features quilts and quilting around the world – in fact it is one of 12 museums of its kind in the world.

La Conner is also a good base for a short distance of many attractions of the region in general. For example, about 15 miles west is Deception Pass State Park, a park of 4134 hectares of coastal and marine environment with considerable camping, both freshwater and saltwater. With its steep cliffs and the famous Bridge, Deception Pass is a favorite destination for residents. Old-growth forests and offer spectacular views of the coast.

Just southeast of La Conner is 13 000 acres of Skagit Wildlife, which is mainly habitat Estuaries and tidal marshes. Visitors can see 180 species of birds, including bald eagles white eagle eagles and osprey. Also shown in the area are coyote, raccoon, opossum, skunk, beaver and muskrat, as well many other species. Local residents use the Wildlife area for hiking, bird watching, photography and canoeing. There are six developed access points and 12 bridges in the area at low altitude.

Larrabee State Park near Bellingham, easy access to the north of La Conner and features 2683 acres, with an saltwater shoreline on Samish Bay stage. The park has two lakes and streams and estuaries.

La Conner is a fun and picturesque destination any time of year but perhaps the best season to visit is in April, when the area is alive with the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Acres and acres of daffodils, tulips, lilies, lilies and are exposed to this special time of year. All the action begins in mid-March or so when the daffodils are in full bloom. Continue until mid-May Activities include a street parade just on the beds and many other festivities both in La Conner and in nearby Mount Vernon.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: La Conner about 65 miles north of Seattle and is easily accessible by taking exit of Interstate 5 and following Conway the signs to La Conner.

WHAT: La Conner is a town with historic charm with a population of only about 900 people, but with an excellent selection shops and restaurants as well as good options for accommodation. It has the atmosphere of a fishing village and features picture-postcard landscapes. WHEN: This is a destination throughout the year, but it will be much quieter on weekdays and winter months. On the contrary, it can be difficult to find housing in the summer and weekends summer high season, especially at the time of the tulip festival in April.

WHY: La Conner offers the right combination of ambience and solitude images and sounds that are forced to mix their passions.

HOW: For more information about La Conner Chamber of Commerce called Conner at 360-466-4778 or visit www.laconnerchamber.com. For more information on the Laconia Channel Lodge, call 360-466-1500 or visit www.laconnerlodging.com.

About the Author

Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California beach vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Northwest travel .

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