Stanwood sits at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River, where it spreads into a delta of farmland and tidal marshes before reaching Puget Sound. The town was settled largely by Norwegian immigrants in the late nineteenth century, and the Scandinavian heritage still shows in local names and festivals. It is the gateway to Camano Island, connected to the mainland by a short bridge, and a pleasant stop on the way north.
The landscape around Stanwood is flat and open, with views across the farmland to the Cascades in the east and the Olympic Mountains across the water to the west. The fields are rich and productive, growing vegetables, berries and flowers. Further north, the Skagit Valley is famous for its tulip fields, which bloom in April and draw crowds. In winter, huge flocks of snow geese and trumpeter swans arrive from the Arctic, feeding in the fields and filling the air with their calls.
The roads here are mostly flat and straight, with gentle bends along rivers and sloughs. They are pleasant for a relaxed ride, but watch for farm machinery, slow traffic and wind on the open flats. From Stanwood, the route heads north and east towards the North Cascades Highway, State Route 20, one of the most spectacular mountain roads in the United States, which crosses the range through deep valleys and over high passes. It closes for the winter, usually from November to spring, so check the status before you go.
Stanwood has fuel stations, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants, making it a good place for a meal before heading into the mountains. Local bakeries offer Scandinavian pastries, a nod to the town's heritage.