I lived 32 of my 42 years in the Skagit valley (last 10 here in Montana ) Conway and Fir Island have a great bunch of small home based stores . I also loved Orcas Island the resident (J) pod of Orcas used to go by my brothers house(hey where was the picture taken) I miss the ocean and whales but love it here more. If you have questions e mail me i can tell you a lot about Skagit county a little cheaper to live than seattle area but still reduclas . Thats why I klike it here.