Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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.

Seattle: 3 Summer Hikes Off I-90

For the tiniest split second, we all thought that spring had arrived in Seattle. Boy were we wrong. It’s back to the rainy days and cold weather. Sometimes the sun peeks out, a few moments of joyful bliss. You step outside, thinking that it will be warm and summer, but then discover that it’s a bitter chill only sweaters and thick jackets will keep out.

I’ve been feeling super nostalgic, so in hopes of coxing summer out, I’ve made a list of a few hikes Chris and I did last summer. Here’s to planning shorts weather and swim dates and feeling the heat of the sun on our skins.

Rattlesnake Ledge

Rattlesnake Ledge

    4 mile Round Trip

    Elevation Gain: 1160 ft

    Highest Point: 2078 ft

    No Pass Required

Don’t worry, this hike wasn’t named after the scary reptiles that can be found past the mountains, it was named after the sounds the flowers made before there was a lake. If you want to feel a good burn and see a great view, this is the hike to tackle. Pack a lunch for the top and bask on the sunny rock outcropping. A very busy hike so I would get there early.After the hike, rest your tired feet in the mountain lake. Or skip the hike all together and enjoy a picnic and lazy afternoon with family and friends.

Though this hike is doggie friendly, I would be careful with the rock ledge. There are large cracks that fall straight down and no railing to keep you from the edge.

Talapus Lake

Olallie Lake

    6.2 miles Round Trip

    Elevation Gain: 1220 ft

    Highest Point: 3780 ft

    NW Forest Pass Required

This hike is a fairytale reimagined. Start on a forested path that changes to a steep trek with a nice drop-off. Once past that you enter the home of the fairies. Filled with babbling streams and wooden paths, it is a quaint trip from reality. Stay here and enjoy the moment or keep going to the first lake, which is a small deviation from the main path. Fallen logs line the edge, and hikers will bring blow up rafts to drift along the surface or hang out on the logs rest. Follow the main path again up another steep portion. Take the fork to Talapus Lake. Here you can camp and enjoy another stunning lake with a mountain backdrop. Enjoy the cleared area from lunch or set up for a longer stay at locations around the lake.

Though the parking lot was full when we arrived back, we passed only a few people on the trail. The dogs thoroughly enjoyed this hike. I ended up spraining my ankle. They had just redone the trail and all the stones were covered. I was lucky enough to find them all. There is also a rutted longish dirt road drive up to the trailhead.

Twin Falls

Twin Falls

    2.6 miles Round Trip

    Elevation Gain: 500 ft

    Highest Point: 100 ft

    Discover Pass Required

I love this hike for taking visitors. A short little jaunt if they don’t have long and portions that my older, less inclined to hike, family members can enjoy. It gives a great taste of the PNW wildness in a few steps. The beginning follows right along a river with a low gain easy trail. Along the way, stop at the few openings to the river to enjoy the view or skip along the rocks in the shallow areas. The trail eventually diverts from the river, giving a great taste of rainforest charm. Now is a great time to turn around for those that can’t do the incline. Keep going and follow the trail to another stop, the first view of the falls. Benches are provided. From there the trail takes you to other stops, one overhanging the river. Still, further, you will see the second waterfall with a bridge that crosses it. Most of the time we turn at this point but the trail does keep going. I think that it meets up with other trails.

We have done this trail on busy holidays, like Memorial Day Weekend, and have never struggled with parking. If you don’t park by the trailhead, make sure to pay attention to the notice, you can get away without the pass. Our boys love this hike. We’ve done it multiple times with them. The trail is very well shaded and was even cool in the summer. Berry bushes can be seen at the beginning.

Hopefully, this will get you into the summer spirit, or at least remind you all of this cold and rain must end eventually. Until then, stay warm.

Love Kait

Twin Falls