And I'm thinking how lucky I am to have this leisurely commute to work. And a view of Mount Baker. Sometimes, the road into La Conner from Interstate 5 gets backed up as far as 11 miles, residents say. But winter finds La Conner in a peaceful slumber. Sidewalks are devoid of tourists.
Shops close earlier.
Locals can actually find parking in front of the post office and a cherished window table at the La Conner Tavern. Residents appreciate this calm before the storm. You can go and have a beer and look out at the channel and see the Indians maybe fooling around with their nets, and there's a subtle exhilaration that creeps up your spine. And you forget that in April, when there are a hundred thousand tulip gawkers pounding the streets, you want to go downtown with an AK-47 and take your town back.