Nicholas Robinson, 10, crosses the tracks that divide Skykomish. Trains pass through 29 times a day but no longer stop in the town.

As the sun sets, a fly fisherman wades into the Skykomish River.

Rosemarie Williams, left, and Charlotte "Skip" Mackner joke around in Mackner's kitchen. Williams has lived in Skykomish most of her life. Mackner went to school there, left in her 20s and last year bought and restored a historical home with her husband where they live part time.

Noresa Woodford, 18, walked to the Skykomish school to see if she could find a home for this kitten. While waiting for classes to let out, the two share a last moment together.

Josh Nelson, 12, is aware of the height difference between himself and the older students during open gym at Skykomish School. The Friday and Saturday night program began as an effort to provide an alternative to children in the area besides "hanging out." The gym is staffed with parent volunteers and turnout has been good.

Sallie Benecke tells a secret to Justin Johnson, 5, outside the Cascadia Inn and Cafe while Justin waits for his mom, who works inside the building. Benecke came up to Skykomish from Gold Bar with her husband, Doug, and their dog, Mo, to take a hike.

Bob Norton, left, the ex-mayor of Skykomish,, chats with Bob Mackner before moving Mackner's picnic table into the garage for the winter.

Cody Wahl, 6, and other members of Ann Walker's first-grade class at Skykomish school take a few minutes out of every day to practice the American Sign Language alphabet. 

Caleb Farmer,15, and Lynsai Lutz,11, look out on the activities at Open Gym from their perch on the Skykomish School's stage. Farmer said Open Gym keeps kids, including himself, out of trouble and off drugs and helped him to stop smoking.

Frank Sarno, left, and retired logger, Mike O'Reilly meet for coffee at the Cascadia Cafe around seven am.

The Skykomish River flows under the bridge entering the town of Skykomish.

Judith Jones' love of ferns has earned her the moniker the "fern lady of Goldbar." She is a self-confessed "pteridomaniac."