La Conner, Washington is about 60 miles north of Seattle. From I-5 North, we use Exit 221 at Conway, cross over Fir Island and travel through all the agricultural fields on Fir Island Road and Best Road, then turn on Chilberg Road to arrive at the roundabout in La Conner where you find Hedlin Farm. All the while I am driving through Conway, I am saying out loud, "How Can I Move Here". I can just imagine myself living in a house on the bluff along Best Road overlooking the beautiful fields in the valley below. This would be the good life! I am already dreaming about where I would locate my vegetable garden in the sunniest spot of my acreage when it is time to turn onto Chilberg Road.
Ahhhhhhh, La Conner. Cutest little town anywhere. Just pure joy to visit. When I go here I never want to leave. Older homes are now shops along Morris Street. There are more shops on South First Street. Most of the buildings have painted wooden siding.
How wonderful is this! White picket fence and pink roses with sea-foam colored wood siding. I don't think anyone could be unhappy living in a house with a white picket fence.
Beautiful pink roses.
More white picket fencing and trellises at the front door.
Egg and Dart interiors shop. http://egganddarthome.net/
Even the fishing shop has Geranium baskets.
One of the Morris Street antique shops.
What impresses me most about any town is the attention the City Council and businesses give to beautification of the public areas. It is so uplifting to walk down the streets where there are hanging baskets on every light pole. I noticed on this visit that businesses have designated flowerbeds in front of their stores in the land between their shops and the sidewalk. Anywhere they could plant flowers they did. Makes one think there must be a town beautification committee. Outstanding job, La Conner!!
Lots of color. Beautiful, beautiful!
Here you can see the hanging baskets at the candy, photography and menswear stores. http://www.skagitriverboutique.com/; http://www.cascadecandy.com/; http://www.conniecoleman.com/index.html
Notice the iron supports that connect to the pole. Very cute children's shop at this corner.
This is the front garden of La Crema Coffee shop. Peaceful and beautiful.
It is so welcoming and makes you feel good just to be there.
EarthenWorks Gallery, you did a lovely job. Thank You. http://www.earthenworksgallery.com/
Ginger Grater and Olive Shoppe gift shops. http://www.oliveshoppe.com/store/
A closer look at one of the tiered clay pot planters of Geraniums at Ginger Grater.
Hotel Planter flower boxes and hanging baskets. http://www.hotelplanter.com/
Potted Geraniums along a driveway. They are in their peak of bloom, so full and colorful.
All the plantings are well maintained and look fabulous.
The Stall and Cottons. http://www.cottonslaconner.com/
Lavender and a bird bath at the shop Go Outside.
Photo credit: Shananagians. This is a cute store for garden, patio and outdoor items.
A birdhouse tucked away in the corner near some shops.
Gazebo in the yard of a restaurant.
Love how this tree is clipped at this business. Nice landscaping here also.
Antique shop has a rose bed and hanging baskets.
Very cute children's shop. http://childbliss.blogspot.com/
Needlecraft shop.
Thank You town planners for not allowing McDonalds, Burger King or Subway. That would totally ruin the perfection of La Conner. Don't worry, there are plenty of places to eat. We like having lunch at Calico Cupboard Cafe and Bakery or their sister location, Seeds Bistro & Bar. There are many other restaurants for lunch or dinner, several along the channel.
This is a new building that replaced the old Seeds gardening supply store. I remember the charm of the old store. It was just like going into a general store circa 1880. Too much damage from a storm I hear to repair it. Thankfully, the 1890 Beech tree in the yard survived.
Sidewalk garden plantings in front of Salon Rouge and Seeds.
Beautiful purple shrub, possibly a Butterfly Bush, but it doesn't look like mine.
Love the blue/green color of this plant.
Inside of Seeds Bistro. I noticed the pies had the same crust as the ones at Calico Cupboard. Then I heard both stores have the same owner so that explains it. I understand they also have restaurants in Mount Vernon and Anacortes. http://www.seedsbistro.com/
Calico Cupboard backs to the Swinomich Channel. Ask to eat on the back deck if the weather is good. http://www.calicocupboardcafe.com/
You can see the boats up and down the channel on the deck.
Boat going out the channel to the ocean. Directly across is the Swinomich Indian Reservation.
While on the deck, you can watch fishing boats bring in their catch at this business on the Reservation.
We had a beautiful day to eat lunch on the deck. Soft breeze over the water, no humidity and no bugs!
Bunnies By the Bay children's store is now between Hutch Studio and Seeds. When I lived on Whidbey Island in 1992, this store was next door where Hutch Studio is now. This is a newer structure. http://www.bunniesbythebay.com/
This is at the door to Bunnies By The Bay. Recycle an old stroller into a flower planter.
You can easily tell a lot of attention was given to landscaping the businesses. Here is another look at the trellis on the side of this building.
Here is a cute lighting shop.
If you come here, be sure to check out Mary Davis's vintage lighting.
Ornamental grasses surrounding her sign. http://www.marydavislighting.com/
There are many cute shops and places to visit that I could not mention in the blog post. There are also wonderful Bed and Breakfast Inns. I can't wait to return to La Conner. I hope you get to visit soon.
All the best,
Summer
Photo Credits: All Swede except Go Outside as noted.
