Driving U.S. 2? Learn as you go
Published 9:15 pm Friday, April 30, 2010
Sure, you’ve been along U.S. 2 and over Stevens Pass a hundred times, but how often have you taken notice of the communities and people that you’re passing?
The folks at Northwest Heritage Resources would like to clue you in that there’s more beside the road than gas stations and rest stops.
Their “Cascade Loop Heritage Tour — South” guide book details the rich diversity and cultures of the area. It includes two CDs that add interviews and music from people along the way, talking about their crafts, arts and businesses.
The book itself contains maps, pictures and a text filled with fascinating tidbits about place names; influences of logging, farming, mining and railroads; and an influx of cultures from around the world, including Scandinavians, Latvians, Vietnamese and Mexicans.
Did you know the town of Index was really named for Mount Baring? See, before 1917, Mount Baring was called Index Mountain, and the present day Mount Index was known as West Index Mountain. It’s all in the book.
Or pop in the CDs as you drive the route, and hear local historians Louise Lindgren and David Cameron relate the history of the town. Listen to other voices describing their lives as a logger, Forest Service employee, river rafter, vintner, farmer, luthier, just to name a few.
Hear Hai Viet Hong of Everett play the dan tranh, a traditional Vietnamese instrument. There’s quite a bit of music on the CDs, including Cindy and Ted Jackson of Skykomish joining friends in a bluegrass song, Bob Johnson of Leavenworth playing the alpenhorn and Mariachi Estrella de Mexico performing traditional mariachi music in Wenatchee.
There’s plenty to entertain and inform you as you make the drive over Stevens Pass, and you’ll see the familiar scenery in a new light.
The guidebook is for sale ($17.95) at Edmonds Bookshop, 111 Fifth Ave. S., 425-775-2789, www.edmondsbookshop.com; and Snohomish County Tourism Bureau, 909 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, 888-338-0976, www.snohomish.org.
It also may be bought though www.cdbaby.com (search Northwest Heritage Resources) or directly from Northwest Heritage Resources. Call Jill Linzee at 206-306-1181 or e-mail jill@NorthwestHeritageResources.org to place an order. There will be $2.85 additional fee for postage and handling.
