La Vida Fantástica: The Tulip Festival

Did our family make a whirlwind trip to Amsterdam this spring? A little vacation in the Netherlands? No, no my friends! These GORGEOUS views are found right here in Washington state! No where else in the entire United States can you find acres, upon acres, upon acres of blooming flowers like you can here. How many acres is acres upon acres? Well, RoozenGaarde (www.tulips.com) has over one THOUSAND acres of fields that explode with color every spring. Last year this time we were still a little busy getting settled, but this year, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was a MUST see.

There is only a small window of opportunity to see the tulips while they are in full bloom, so we had to make sure we hit the visit at just the right time. In fact, during our visit, we noticed that the fields of daffodils had already gone by and returned to their semi-boring, green-brown, off-season state. How you like those hyphens?

Ok back to the story. We packed up for the day and left early. The fields are only 45 minutes from us, but we like to time our "long" car trips around Kai's naptime. It just makes everyone happier. Trust me on that one.

We arranged to meet some of Matt's coworkers (our friends) at the fields, but we got to the area a bit early, so while Kai finished his snooze (we left Dad in the car too) Fin and I got in a little Micky D's play time! PS. This McDonalds Play Place is ridiculous. It's two stories tall. Even adventurous Fin was a tit bit nervous to venture into its steep, ominous tunnels. A little coaxing and I got him in.

After getting out a little energy, we made our way to RoozenGaarde. There were only a few cars in front of us waiting to enter the parking lot, but there were MANY workers in orange vests with flags, stop signs and whistles, flailing their arms around and shouting. It's just flowers people, I think we're taking this a little too seriously.

Come to find out, the orange clad flower folk know what's up. It was a beautiful Saturday, peak blossoming season. Thank GOD we got there when we did (early). Had we come a couple hours later, we would have been stuck in over two miles of traffic waiting to be flagged into the parking lots. It was swamped. As we left, we passed all these poor souls and I thanked my lucky stars I wasn't stuck in that line with two unhappy kiddos in the car. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go on a weekday. Yes, that was a travel tip for you.

RoozenGaarde has a three acre show garden with around three hundred THOUSAND flowering bulbs. There is a fee to enter (as there should be) but it is worth it. Yes, at no cost, you could take a relaxing drive around the perimeter fields and avoid some of the crowds and show garden. But, one, you risk getting stuck in traffic. And, two, you miss out on seeing over 100 different flower varieties, all labeled for your floral education. :)

You also miss out on this: A sweet Dutch Windmill.

Ok. I'm done writing. I think I gave you enough info. Now you can just sit back and enjoy the show.

I give you: The Tulip Festival

We told Fin he was only to look and not to touch. Sniffing became a compromise we had to make. Touching with the nose was ok. OH and there are more workers (no orange this time... I think they work undercover?) going around and monitoring to make SURE you aren't getting too frisky with the flowers. So keep your kids in line.

Yep. Lots of sniffing.

I had my hands full with a hungry baby, so Matt played photographer for the day.

I adored this tree. If only there weren't all the people in the picture. Weekday, people. Weekday.

More sniffing.

The views were just beautiful.

I had NO idea how many types of tulips exist!~!!! And they have crazy names like "Raging Parrot" and "Big Red" and "Purple Dragon" and "Flaming Lips" and "Horny Tiger" ... Ok... I might have made that last one (or so) up.

Fin had so much fun with Matt's buddy Dave. But then again, Fin would tell you it is "HIS friend" Dave. :)

Seriously... These pics look professional. Such a beautiful place for photos.

Ummm is that a tulip in the tree??? Really?!

Matt snagged a pic of one of the orange workers. This guy is clearly afraid of the sun. His entire face was painted white. Poor guy. I think he needs to find a new profession. Preferably indoors?