ARLINGTON – With the weather forecast predicting more sizzling temperatures and a continued smoky haze from fires in Darrington and British Columbia, it’s time to beat the heat and head for the water.
That’s what many families are doing to quell one of the Pacific Northwest’s more prolonged heat waves in years.
The National Weather Service predicts temperatures in the high-80s and low 90s through the weekend and into the work week.
At a long stretch of river rock beneath Lincoln Bridge accessible from Twin River Park, beach-going families and sunbathers made the most of one of Arlington’s waterfront hot spots.
While children waded and splashed about in the slow-moving, low-running south fork of the Stilly, others perched on a large, smooth rock island in the middle of the river to base their swimming and diving around.
“The river and the water are very nice,” said Carolina Grimaldo of Arlington back on shore from her place in the shade of the bridge.
“It’s still smoky, though” (from the wildfires) added Fatima Medina from Marysville.
They were there to give Carolina’s children – ages 4, 6, 8, 10 and 14 – a day to frolic in the water at the family’s favorite summer swimming spot.
Grimaldo said outings like theirs can work up an appetite.
“We always come prepared with plenty of food,” Grimaldo said.
Her folding table included snacks, beverages, chips, cookies, oranges, watermelon and other picnic staples. They had spent two hours at the river already, and expected to stay four more hours.
Three generations of the Dean family of Marysville – mom Jody, daughter Madeline, and her daughter, 4-month-old Marley, marked the day as baby’s first trip to the beach.
“A family friend told me about this place who drives by it over the bridge every day,” Madeline said.
Usually, they have gone to the Pilchuck River near Machias.
Twin Rivers has become a favorite new spot.“It’s roomier,” Madeline said.
“It’s easier to spread out down along the river,” added Jody. True, even with the 100 or so visitors along the riverbank, the low water levels left plenty of real estate to pitch a tent or umbrella, pack a cooler and lay out a towel.
Downriver at Haller Park, sun worshipers were chilling out in much the same way.
For people who wanted to cool off on the water instead of in it, Adventure Cascades was offering kayak rentals. Beginners can rent a kayak for $10 an hour or $25 for a full day paddling flat water, beaches, pools and mild rapids around Haller Park, owner Brian Pernick said.
“This is a new offering,” said Pernick, with sit-on-top kayaks available 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday through summer. Two renters who had just returned from kayaking for the first time said they had a blast; paddling the lazy river was more leisurely than they expected, and neither minded when each of them twice capsized in the cool waters.
Pernick and fellow employee Chris Nelson, who have navigated several local rivers in the region and rate the Stilly high, said kayaks and canoes are a perfect way to beat the heat.
“Just being on the water,” Nelson said. “What I like about the river at Haller is it’s close to town, but when you’re out on the water you feel like you’re far away from it, with the trees and the wildlife.
“The Stilly is a very popular river for tubers and floats, with multiple options,” Nelson said. Haller Park is where the north and south forks of the Stillaguamish converge.
Pernick said Big Rock further downriver by Blue Stilly Park is another favorite alternative launching spot for tubers and floaters.
When out on the river and with water levels lower than usual, it’s important for swimmers to remember to take safety precautions, and for on-water enthusiasts to wear helmets and life vests, and keep an eye out for rocks and logjams.
Natalie Holmes of Arlington grabbed a few friends and made a day of it, claiming her space on the riverbed west of Haller Bridge. Her friend Jim Wilkie was visiting from Ohio, and the group was enjoying sunbathing and occasional dips in the water.
“This is always my go-to place when it’s hot and the sun’s out,” Holmes said.
Wilkie nodded. “I can’t believe this place. Fresh cool water, and just enough breeze to not mind hanging out in the sun. I could live here.”
Looking for other places near water in the Arlington-Marysville area to beat the heat? Here are some ideas, or share your favorites in our comment section.
* Twin Rivers Park, 8003 Highway 530 NE, Arlington
* Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, 16324 Twin Lakes Ave., Marysville
* River Meadows Park, 20416 Jordan Road in Arlington
* Marysville Spray Park, 514 Delta Ave.
* Kayak Point Regional County Park, 15610 Marine Drive, Stanwood
* Wenberg County Park, 15430 E. Lake Goodwin Road, Stanwood
