There's only one word I can use to sum up the Pacific Northwest.
Glorious! There's a resolute majesty in the snow-capped mountain ranges. Peaks silently remind us that we live in the Ring of Fire. Glaciers sparkle with ancient blue ice. Magic permeates rainforests that are filled with various plants in shades of green, and animals who move silently, but imposingly. Evergreen trees fairly drip with moss and lichen. Tribes of people, who have been here for more generations that I can count, spin wondrous tales that stir the imagination. An abnormally high concentration of artists create beautiful works to delight the eye, mind, and palate. Boats glide through the water alongside breeching whales and curious sea life to deliver the catch of the day. A new generation of farmers explore how to be responsible, sustainable, and chemical-free. Yes, there's no doubt that I love this part of the world. I'm in awe every time I step outside!
I was going to get around to writing about Washington eventually. After all, it's where we've made our home. If we are going to take you all on a trip around North America with us, it needs to begin where we've established our roots. Now seems like as good a time as any. Especially since we've been enjoying warm, sunny days and the landscape is awash with blossoming trees, fragrant flowers, and musical bird song. Where we live, you can get to the ocean, mountain pass, farmland, city, and desert all in under two hours. One, if you don't count the desert. Because of this, we have a wide variety of things to see and do. I could make a list of all the popular tourist attractions, but I think I'll save that for the travel guides. Everyone knows about things like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. Instead I'll just highlight a few places that are buzzing around this time of year.
Today is the official start of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The blossoms came earlier than expected this year, but if you visit now you'll see beautiful fields filled with every color imaginable. In fact, Roozengaarde is the largest daffodil, tulip, and iris business in the world! To learn more, visit:
http://tulipfestival.org/ and
http://www.visitskagitvalley.com/upcoming-events/spring/annual-skagit-valley-tulip-festival/ While you're up there, and if you're like me and love quilts, be sure to visit the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum.
http://www.laconnerquilts.org/ It's just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
Here are a few pictures from our pilgrimage last year.
One of my favorite reasons to visit Skagit (other than the Tulips) is driving to Edison, WA. It's a teeny-tiny artist colony in the middle of Bow farmland. Within this itsy-bitsy town is a bakery called The Bread Farm.
http://www.breadfarm.com/ A dear friend introduced me to it and I'm afraid I'm severely addicted to their graham crackers. They're like buttery, crisp shortbread... my mouth is watering just thinking about them. We especially like them frozen. The bakers are nothing short of artisans and they hold to a local, sustainable, organic point of view. The quality is unmatched and I love their charitable hearts.
We happen to live by Fall City, home of Pete Nelson from the show
Treehouse Masters.
http://www.nelsontreehouseandsupply.com/ I see his wife from time to time. Did you know that on top of building all those fabulous tree houses for other people, his family runs a bed and breakfast and you can STAY in one?! Yep. It's true. It's called Treehouse Point. If you aren't able to stay there, then make sure to book a tour ahead of time. They like to keep things peaceful for the visitors, so space is very limited.
http://www.treehousepoint.com/
April and May is geoduck season on the Hood Canal and we love going up to dig for clams and mussels. Just remember that if you would like to do something like this, you will need a permit first. Oh, and wear close-toed shoes. The oysters are like razor blades! Here are a few pictures from one of our trips.
Here's your first picture of our kids. They love trying to find the tiny holes in the sand where you can find clams. You can only find geoduck clams when the tide is ultra-super-low.
This was the result of that trip. Yum, yum!!
Produce stands have started popping up, which means cherry season is almost here. The farmers markets will begin in May, which means we'll get to explore the new stands soon. Last year there were things like tea soda, crocheted dolls from someone's grandmother, the Molly Moon's Ice cream truck, and more. We can't wait!
As far as trip preparation goes, we had our fireplace serviced and several rooms were painted this week. There have been three walk-through's and we may have a potential renter!
84 days to go.....
- Jen
