On a cold and windy day, four brave souls ventured outside the safety of downtown Seattle in search of Tulips. They were told there would be many. They were told it would be grand. But they weren’t told that it would be the coolest trip ever.
Ok, silly intro…. But what else can one say about the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
We had a great time, though we only visited RoozenGaarde.
An easy 1-hour drive north on I-5 and you’ve arrived (well after a few turns on some back country roads). We did get a little lost on the way there, but nothing that a quick google search couldn’t fix.
What a great way to kick off spring in the rainy capital. The bright colors and whimsical gardens set the soul alive. The rain couldn’t even damper the sight. We attended the first weekend, and with the late cold spell, the fields were only partially bloomed. I would definitely recommend watching the bloom map to get an idea of the best time to go. (Click here for the link.) Be warned though - the best time to go will also be the most crowded. Only the bravest came out the day we went. It was very windy and very rainy. Go figure.
The event is great for families. Parking is free but there is a small entrance fee. If the fields are too muddy for you, the entryway is packed with gardens for your enjoyment. Tables are spaced out for you to enjoy the refreshments for sale. I definitely could have used a warm cup of something that day but my hands were too full with picture taking. You can even take home a piece of the festival with potted tulips. You might see the blossoms bloom in front of your eyes when you take them in the warm car.
Make sure to check out the old school bus at the back of the fields. It is filled with rubber bands, I have yet to figure out why, but it’s a great place to rest. Grab a few cool photos or enjoy the break from the wind like we did.
So arrive early and enjoy the day. Take all the pictures you want, but make sure to follow the rules. I was sad to see so many tulips trampled because people refused to walk in the mud. Come on people, we live in the rainy state.
If you want to sell pictures taken at RoozenGaarde, you must fill out a permission form. Don’t worry it’s a pain-free process. Visit the corporate office just 100 yards down the street. All they require is a business card and a John Hancock.
Grab the family and head out. See what the great PNW has to offer.
Love Kait.
