Darrington; Gateway to the North Cascades
Darrington, Washington is home to the beautiful White Horse Mountain, rising 6,850
ft (2,088 m). Rising dramatically from the valley floor, this
glacier-rimmed mountain features brilliant waterfalls, wildflowers, and
abundant wildlife.
Darrington's valley is a favorite hiker's and photographer's weekend destination just northeast of the Seattle-Everett metro area on Washington State's SR-530, along the north fork of the Stillaguamish River. It's right in the center of one of Snohomish County's most beautiful scenic drives, the Mountain Loop Highway.
From incredible scenery to down-home culture, Darrington is a unique community. Growing from their "Tar Heel" heritage, one of the best parts of the town of Darrington is the many Grandparents that live near their grandchildren. They may even be the "golden" ingredient of Darrington.
After any typical school day, it's just as common to see Grandparents pick up the kids, as parents. Very few children are without extended Darrington and Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and family members to come and take them home.
Since my own grandparents had all passed on by the time I was 20 years old, I wasn't blessed with many years to learn from mine. Oddly enough, the Mayers, Blacks, Hamblins, Greens, Shanahans, Brooks, and several other dear family names from Darrington all appear in my close-in family ancestry, too.
What are the odds? My own little Shannon, with her pale curly red hair, and fair skin, looked so much like Mrs. Shanahan's family, that she stopped us in front of her garden gate one morning to remark upon it. That day, I didn't know the lady's last name.
A few weeks later, we were able to share amazement over my original grandmother's maiden name was the same as hers, "Shanahan", from Minnesota. This was how my daughter was given her Christian name. Shared roots! Two faces; one eight, and one in her eighties, smiled at each other - like mirrors. Same nose. Same proportions. Same Irish eyes. They just knew.
Darrington's active Grandparents volunteer at the churches, put on monthly lunches that are the envy of the entire west coast, and after they come to school and pick up their grandkids, spend hours at the library, help plan local events, and create endless canned goods and perfection challenging quilts. Darrington's grandparents take the time to listen and spend time with their extended family.
Grandparents teach their children how to tie flies, pick beans, and piece quilts. Grandparents gather blueberries and make jams and jellies with their kids and grandkids. Cousins are around every corner, and so's the plentiful good food.
Parents work hard at the mill, the schools, or local businesses. Most families are working near the valley, in the hills, or down below. The families stay close as long as they can; by choice.
When you have an opportunity to live or visit the small community situated in the shadow of White Horse Mountain, do it. There is a"golden tradition" living in the town of Darrington. Their love of family, Bluegrass music, and the true, "do unto others" attitude, will touch your life forever.
It'll be just as easy as catching wild steelhead in the Stillaguamish River but will last in your belly and your heart a lot longer.
Darrington's valley is a favorite hiker's and photographer's weekend destination just northeast of the Seattle-Everett metro area on Washington State's SR-530, along the north fork of the Stillaguamish River. It's right in the center of one of Snohomish County's most beautiful scenic drives, the Mountain Loop Highway.
From incredible scenery to down-home culture, Darrington is a unique community. Growing from their "Tar Heel" heritage, one of the best parts of the town of Darrington is the many Grandparents that live near their grandchildren. They may even be the "golden" ingredient of Darrington.
After any typical school day, it's just as common to see Grandparents pick up the kids, as parents. Very few children are without extended Darrington and Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and family members to come and take them home.
Since my own grandparents had all passed on by the time I was 20 years old, I wasn't blessed with many years to learn from mine. Oddly enough, the Mayers, Blacks, Hamblins, Greens, Shanahans, Brooks, and several other dear family names from Darrington all appear in my close-in family ancestry, too.
What are the odds? My own little Shannon, with her pale curly red hair, and fair skin, looked so much like Mrs. Shanahan's family, that she stopped us in front of her garden gate one morning to remark upon it. That day, I didn't know the lady's last name.
A few weeks later, we were able to share amazement over my original grandmother's maiden name was the same as hers, "Shanahan", from Minnesota. This was how my daughter was given her Christian name. Shared roots! Two faces; one eight, and one in her eighties, smiled at each other - like mirrors. Same nose. Same proportions. Same Irish eyes. They just knew.
Darrington's active Grandparents volunteer at the churches, put on monthly lunches that are the envy of the entire west coast, and after they come to school and pick up their grandkids, spend hours at the library, help plan local events, and create endless canned goods and perfection challenging quilts. Darrington's grandparents take the time to listen and spend time with their extended family.
Grandparents teach their children how to tie flies, pick beans, and piece quilts. Grandparents gather blueberries and make jams and jellies with their kids and grandkids. Cousins are around every corner, and so's the plentiful good food.
Parents work hard at the mill, the schools, or local businesses. Most families are working near the valley, in the hills, or down below. The families stay close as long as they can; by choice.
When you have an opportunity to live or visit the small community situated in the shadow of White Horse Mountain, do it. There is a"golden tradition" living in the town of Darrington. Their love of family, Bluegrass music, and the true, "do unto others" attitude, will touch your life forever.
It'll be just as easy as catching wild steelhead in the Stillaguamish River but will last in your belly and your heart a lot longer.
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