Tucked into the North-Central Skagit County, Concrete, Washington is a small town many don’t acknowledge. Known vaguely for it’s affordability and small population, around 812 as of 2023 census data, Concrete is often overshadowed in discussions of Washington. For such a small town, however, Concrete highlights the true beauty of Washington, thanks to it’s beautiful natural life, along with being the central town written in the book Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon – eventually turned into a movie with the same name, starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.
My article, however, isn’t delving into the filmmaking scene. Instead, we focus on the former: the natural landscape, along with community contributions for enlightening those not local to Concrete what the town is all about.
On a cold and crisp January afternoon, me, my mom, my little brother, and my grandma ventured off from the cozy nook of Bellingham to the enticing unknown that was Concrete initially. With some long, drawn-out views of the scenic countryside, and some errors- a very simple mishap with a wrong turn, along with not being able to find Rockport’s park- it took us roughly around an hour and twenty minutes, keeping in mind traffic was very light this time of day at around 10 a.m., we successfully arrived at The Bald Eagle Interpretive Center.
Initially tucking our phones into our pocket and adjusting our scarves, we got used to the area rather quickly. There were designated paths for our eventual walk/hike, a humble (and currently under construction) park, still with the rainwater from the flooding, and a gorgeous view of the Skagit River onto our right – all free of charge.
For the Guided Nature Hike, we start off right at the Skagit River Interpretive Center at 11:00 a.m., which we nearly missed out on due to slight confusion on where the starting point was, getting a good view at a replica of an Eagle’s nest; curated by several schools around Whatcom County.
Our tour guide, Ashleigh, was well-informed about the value of eagles, along with the connection of their diet to preserving the watershed and the crucial food web. She guided us down to the Skagit River, letting several photographers get their well-needed photos, before we headed off onto the trail.
There were numerous signs on the way down that helped guide people’s eyes to how to demonstrate stewardship, though most people focused on the handful of eagles around the area. There were some flying overhead, as well as some perching on the trees – easy to miss if it weren’t for other people and Ashleigh pointing them out.
Salmon were also a focal point in Ashleigh’s informative presentations, helping us to remember what salmon species resided on what finger; Chum is thumb, Sockeye is index (poking one’s eye), King is the middle finger thanks to it’s big size, Silver is the ring, and Pink goes with your pinky finger.
While we didn’t get to fully take in the hiking aspect of the “Guided Nature Hike”, as our 90 minute time ran out pretty quickly, it was still wonderful to take in the cool air, feel the mid-winter chill, and see how the ecosystem was doing around Concrete. While there is still work that needs to be done in conserving both Bald Eagles and Salmon, the latter currently facing dangers correlated to overfishing and PCBs, it was very clear Concrete is well-loved and thriving in the area.
Right before we left, we went inside to warm back up after our 90 minute walk in the cold. To the right of our starting point by the Eagle Nest is the Skagit River Interpretive Center, which had plenty to look at and observe. There was plenty of art and literature for sale, along with magnet souvenirs and other trinkets to purchase. We did not personally get any on our trip, but they are nice to have to remember the moment.
After we finished our hike and went back into the car, we headed to a humble burger shop called Cascade Burgers, walking distance from the cement silos, making it a perfect spot after our long hike.
We entered right before a big rush, so we were immediately allowed to sit at a table right by the entrance of the establishment. The place was adorned in early-50’s aesthetic – and abundantly so. It made a lot of sense as to why this place had gotten so popular, especially right after the hike was over.
It took us a bit to order, but I personally got the Onion Burger for $6.75, described on their menu as “Goop and grilled onions” – the former being their specialty sauce for their burgers. I really liked my decision, though I could acknowledge that it was a little too greasy for my liking. However, it adds to the charm of the place.
Unfortunately, this is where the critiques come in: Perhaps I’m so accustomed to the format of other restaurants serving glasses of water before getting the meal, but there was no etiquette for how to get water in the establishment. We learned after 5 minutes of discussion that you have to buy a soda to get a cup, and constantly refill it at their near-empty water fountain.
This, in particular, was a gripe of mine, because not only did all 4 of us have to share a water amongst ourselves, but there was no specification on the menu of getting an ice water. Their onion rings were also a little soggy, but they were definitely still good for after a long walk.
Cascade Burgers (Overall): 3.5/5
Generally, I did enjoy my experience within Concrete, Washington. For nature lovers and those wanting to get out more for brisk walks, especially in the late winter, I highly suggest taking yourself there. It’s also great for those interested in environmental impact and what we can do as people to prevent severe damage to our ecosystems. Hopefully this article had brought some light to this cute small town!
