Tulips Ablaze in Skagit County!

This weekend we had a chance to experience Northwest Washington's Skagit Valley, alive with brilliant color, as acres and acres of tulips continued to entice visitors from near and far, to come and take in the pastoral beauty and enjoy the annual festivities. The flower-viewing season begins with dainty yellow daffodils in mid to late-March, followed by a rainbow of tulips which take the stage in April. Irises and lilies follow, providing color well into the month of May. But it is Mother Nature who decides exactly when the festival begins and this year the tulips took their time!

After a long winter painted in various shades of gray, the Skagit Valley tulips don’t just herald the arrival of spring - they scream it! This explains why thousands of tourists and scores of photographers brave the crowds, the mud and the ever changing spring weather to take pictures of row after row of these perfect flowers. Even though the forecast for Saturday threatened rain and we only expected to get a glimpse of the fields before running for cover, halfway through our hour long drive to Mt. Vernon, about 60 miles north of Seattle, the sun came out. The weather turned out to be great for the rest of the afternoon – slightly overcast with sun bursting though the clouds every so often and lighting the fields ablaze! For hours we walked thought endless rows of gorgeous tulips of every variety imaginable, forming streaks of red, purple, lavender and yellow as far as the eye can see. Every time Hoon would put his camera away, he would pull it out again after seeing yet another dramatic shot. You can see some of his work here.

We continued on a short drive and a visit to city of Anacortes on Fidaglo Island. We enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch at Randy’s Pier 61 in Anacortes, and a short stroll at Cap Sante Park with breathtaking views of Padilla Bay and Northern Cascades including snow covered Mount Baker, more than 40 miles away. We continued driving along northern edge of Fidalgo Island, though Alexander Beach to the beautiful Washington Park on its western edge. Along the 2.3 mile loop road we stopped for occasional strolls, taking in amazing views of Rosario Straight and a string of islands scattered in the western direction throughout the sound, bathed in warm afternoon sunlight. It was fascinating to see powerful currents whipping though the narrow straights hundreds of feet below us as the tide was going out. We could see them up close as we descended to a pebble beach and dipped our feet in Burrows Bay.

Cherry Blossoms usher in spring at University of Washington's campus

This weekend we were treated to an absolutely magnificent display of color as all 29 cherry trees on the Quad of University of Washington's campus are in full bloom. The trees look like they have always been there but an article in the Alumni Magazine reminds us that it wasn't always so and illuminates the problems that are arising as the trees age. The delicate blossoms, which are gradually starting to form a soft carpet of rosy pink and white petals on the grass below, remind us that two weeks ago we have ushered in spring even if it doesn't always feel that way under overcast Seattle sky. Occasional bursts of radiant sunlight tell us that warm and beautiful summer weather can not be far behind. See more photos.