The Skagit River, in Northwest Washington, is the largest and most biologically important river draining to Puget Sound.

And in the little town of Rockport we found our home for two nights at the Howard Miller Steelhead County Park, right on the river.

The park comprises so much more than just a place to camp. It has a wildlife trail, a display about the local history, and a sweet spot along the Skagit to just chill. One can see why we stayed for two nights (plus we needed to just regroup).

The Wetland Wildlife Trail follows an old railroad grade, Along the path we found interesting informational boards educating us on the salmon and eagles found here (sadly we saw neither).

We were surprised to find this 1887 cabin built by Thomas Porter, a farmer and one of the pioneers of the upper Skagit valley. Such history.

Also here, we learned the history of crossing the river. Very cool exhibits of the actual means of transportation used here.

This was the main mode of travel on the Skagit river for the first few decades. Men would split a cedar log lengthwise, burn out the center and then scrape away the residue until they had a sturdy craft, just as the Native Americans had done for eons. As you can see below, several people could board. Such canoes were often lashed together to carry goods and ore weighing a ton or more.

I love ferries. There's something romantic about them, much like trains. This one was a gravity ferry — with a winch-like attachment at both ends, attached to a cable above that was chained to trees on both shores. It used the strong current of the river for power. This type of ferry crossed the Skagit in at least 12 different places and here one sits, where it once was used.

I'm forming a long list of all the things I love about Washington. It's history found everywhere is definitely on that list along with its ability to grow the most exceptional hydrangeas.