The Bloom Report
On the weekend, the short blonde whirlwind (SBW) and I headed off to Skagit Valley in the middle of a monsoon. Our goal, after a short prayer to the rain gods, was to survive the drive up north, have lunch, and then view the tulips in bloom between rain showers.
Despite the Tulip Festival having started only this weekend, the tulips have in fact been blooming for over a week. Local news stations estimate that we only really have about another two weeks before the bloom is over for the year. Last year when we visited at the end of the month, only the gardens at Roozengaarde were still open, and the fields had been completely decimated.
Highlights: The highlight of the day was not getting rained on, but it was also awesome to be able to see fields of still-blooming daffodils beside fields of tulips. It’s like our own special bonus for braving the wet weather.
If you go: Be sure and hold onto a few dollar bills for parking. Some parking lots are free; others cost 2 or 3 dollars. Also, we tulip-gogglers recommend the Calico Cupboard in Mount Vernon for a tasty treat before or after chasing rainbows. It appears from the crowded restaurant that we’re not the only ones in the know.
I recommend stopping in at the arts and crafts show at the Rexville Grange, too. It’s there daily from 10-5. I go every year. They always have unusual, pretty, well-made stuff — definitely a notch or two above your typical craft show. (No “ducks on sticks” here.) And most days they have demonstrations and/or tastings.
Oh, and here’s a schedule and a few notes about the show.
thanks for the heads-up, Cam. I like the sound of the “tea tasting,” and the other demonstrations look interesting too.
Excellent, thanks for the heads up. I think I’m headed there this weekend and hopefully I’ll get some great shots to share. :)