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Tulips by La Conner, Washington
Click on photos to enlarge
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| Season of flowers 2001 |
Click here to view photos of Tulip Fest 2002
April is the month when the flowers explode with color in the
the Skagit Valley. Planning to spend the day, we got a late start
for the 150 mile drive to La Conner and the famous tulip fields.
Enroute on I-5 we have to swerve hard to avoid hitting some
lawn
furniture right in the middle of the freeway.
Once off busy I-5, cross the meandering Skagit River, we are
greeted
by the vivid reds and yellows of the fields in the distance.
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| Tulip fields with Cascades Mountain range in the horizon. |
Touring the narrow country lanes through fertile farmland,
there are expanses of tulips and daffodils in a rainbow of colors,
bathed in bright sunshine, framed by the snow-capped Cascades.
Lots of traffic with sightseers, but our
westy is nimble enough
to edge through the crowded parking areas
alongside the fields.
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| Taken from atop the roof rack of the westy. |
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Places to visit: the famous Roozengaarde with Dutch windmill,
and 3 acre display garden, museum of Tulip history, and
Tulip town, where one can purchase tulip bulbs of every variety.
A tea break at La Conner Flats, with its charming outdoor cafe
overlooking the tranquil English country garden.
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| Teahouse at English Country garden. |
Only a short drive takes us to La Conner, situated on the
Swinomish Channel, its charming downtown lined with antique shops,
boutiques, and cafes, sandwiched between First Street and the water.
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| Swinomish Channel by La Conner. |
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Quaint downtown La Conner |
We buy fresh-baked goods from the take-out counter of
Calico Cupboard bakery, and cook dinner in the westy by the marina.
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| Victoria Clipper catamaran leaving the dock at La Conner. |
By now it’s getting late and time to drive back home or look for a
campground. We took toothbrushes and a couple of blankets,
so on we go to Whidbey Island to find a campground for the night.
In the dark, we cross Deception Pass, and a quick stop in
Oak Harbor to stock up on coffee and eggs for breakfast.
Continue on down the island’s Hwy 20 to Keystone ferry terminal.
The brightly illuminated ferry just happens to come in,
so we hand over 8 dollars, and drive aboard the ship.
