Two encounters with nature

Beauty: The Padilla Bay nature trail located five miles north of La Conner, across Highway 20, on Bay View Edison Road, is one of the best outdoor visits in western Skagit County.

The 4-mile out-and-back trail tops District 5’s dike and separates very productive farmland (potato now, grass seed in the prior planting) from two sloughs that pour into Samish Bay.

The trail is maintained by the Skagit County parks department.

It is a very popular place for walkers, strollers, family outings, birders, painters, joggers, runners, bikers, snoozers.

On a summer weekend, there may be 20 cars.

During a...