Pacific Northwest (4) Edmonds & Mukilteo

If Rick Steves, the travel author and television host, lives in Edmonds, one may correctly assume it is a charming place. Plus, Ken Jennings, author and Jeopardy’s “Greatest of All Time” record-holding winner is from Edmonds, but, he now lives in Seattle in a house that ‘Jeopardy built!”

Edmonds, with its walkable Main Street, is a major hub for the arts in Snohomish County with outdoor arts installations and flower pole structures. And, of course, there are lots of galleries to peruse along with a great arts supply store. But one of my favorite places happens to be the Salt and Iron restaurant because I love their French fries. Jokingly I asked if anyone ever ordered a double order. Thinking I was serious, within minutes a double order was at our table! I tried, but, I could not eat them all, even with some help from Steve!

Edmonds, as many Northwest towns/cities, was established by a logger with the early residents employed by shingle mills and logging companies that operated in the area until the 1950’s. Prior to the 19th century the area was inhabited by the Suquamish Indian tribe. And, as with so many of the Northwest towns, Edmonds has a ferry terminal. Looking at a map, one can appreciate the ferries as Puget Sound provides an unbelievable water route system but separates much of the land mass.

From Edmonds we went on to Mukilteo, a very small town just a bit further north to meet friends (from Arizona who we met when we all lived in Dallas) at the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. They had rented a home on Whidby Island, so, it was an easy ferry ride to meet us in Mukilteo.

Whidbey Island is also a great locale to visit. It is accessible by bridge from the north end, but, it is necessary to take a ferry if departing from the south end. We visited last year, spending a day driving the island and then spending the night in Langley before returning. There are several small charming towns, notably Langley and Coupeville on the island that are well worth a visit.