Spring beauty for Pink Saturday, April 23, 2011

Yesterday we took our Bible study group in the borrowed church bus, and headed down to the beautiful Skagit Valley in Washington state. Would you believe that I've never seen the tulip festival in all my life?

For some reason things got in the way, and in our early married life we didn't often travel due to time constraints and the price of gas. Then Matthew came along, and the 1990's were filled to the full with Robert often being on the road on business trips, so when he came home, he certainly never felt like a long road trip to see tulips! Lately I've been pestering him to take me to see the tulips, as the older I get the more I love flowers!

So yesterday my dream came true!

We met at the church at 7:30 and reached the Pacific Crossing border at 8:30.

We went through the bus lane, which by passed the long line of cars.

We were pulled over, though, and an inspection took place.

Maryann was concerned but I actually thought it was rather funny when 6 border guards stalked to our bus.

Three of them climbed on, and one of our passengers was removed, as she didn't have Canadian citizenship, although she had all her correct papers. But never fear, she was allowed back on, and in the meantime the main guard checked all our passports in a hand held gizmo. That way we didn't have to get off the bus. This only took 10 minutes total and then we were on our way again.

We reached La Conner at 10:00 and stopped for tea and scones in a delightful little cafe.

The scones were superb!

We walked through La Conner to stretch our legs, and then we drove back to find the tulip fields.

We had a map, and circled around the fields trying to decide on the best place to stop.

That turned out to be Tulip Town, right in the middle of everything.

There is a $5.00 charge each to get in. We were a group of 13 so they let us in for $3.00 each.

First we went through a neat indoor display area, where the best tulips were shown in bunches, with a mini canal and little boats full of tulips running behind it, all portrayed against a beautiful mural.

(I'll post those photos another time.)

Beyond the display was a gorgeous gift shop, where I was lingering, buying fabric and souvenirs, when Maryann pulled on my arm, and said "Loretta, you're missing the best part! Come and see the fields full of tulips!" And she was right! All the photos here are from those fields.

The day was bitterly cold. We had to wear our winter jackets and hats.

The picture above shows my favourite colour of tulips.

I've always wanted to go into a tulip field, and it was even better than I'd imagined!

The loveliness of the tulips is overwhelming.

Me and Robert amongst the tulips.

Because of the unseasonably cold weather, the tulips will last until Mother's Day.

The overcast sky was perfect for taking photos.

The fields were muddy and slick.

I took 187 photos, but I'll spare you and only post these. Tee hee...

I wonder what your favourite is?

We took our good Cannon SLR camera and I was glad Robert thought of it.

A little pocket camera wouldn't do the tulips justice!

I used the zoom lens for these close up photos.

I could have spent hours in the fields, but of course that wasn't possible.

I will probably be back next Spring! The drive down is only 2 hours, and it's such fun when you get there.

I love windmills. The garden displays were gorgeous too.

I think this is the best spot to visit if you plan to go.

Just look up Tulip Town online as they have a website.

There was even a tulip fountain!

I bought tulip fabric, a tulip hankie, and tulip coasters.

I felt totally immersed in tulip culture!

Maybe I'll plant a tulip garden next year!

I'm participating in Pink Saturday today. Please click on the link on my sidebar to view lots of pink loveliness in Blogland, hosted by Beverly.

I hope you enjoyed the mini tour of the tulip festival, and I wish you all a wonderful Easter weekend!