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Don't Miss the Tulips in Washington State ---

By
Real Estate Agent

Don't Miss the Tulips in Washington State ---

The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington State got off to an early start this year, and now it is in full bloom. With my children here for spring break, the timing could not have been better for a ride up to tulip land and a wonderful adventure in nature's display of marvelous colors.

Washington State Tulip Festival 

Red is always one of our favorite tulip colors, but only one of many amazing varieties.

 

Washington State Tulip Festival

At Tulip Town, you will find artistic displays, food, coffee, and a very warm and cheerful gift shop. The motto at Tulip Town is "To God Give the Glory." There is also a World's Peace Garden on display. The trip can be a spiritual adventure for sure.

Washington State Tulip Festival 

The wall murals are well done and give you a real sense of the history of tulip cultivation. Even if it is raining the indoor display is worth the trip with the wonderful wall murals giving you a feel of the outdoors.

Washington State Tulip Festival 

We went for a tractor ride out into the fields to witness the display coming out of the earth. This was an extra fun bonus on an overcast and chilly day.

Washington State Tulip Festival

The Tulip Festival is on until the end of the month and well worth the trip, only a little over an hour from our home base in Woodinville.

Tip to those making the trip: Arrive early in the morning.
By late in the morning the tourist buses will begin clogging the narrow farm roads and parking lots. There will be a lot of people to wade through the later in the day you go. This advice applies even more on weekends and sunny days. This year I'd suggest exit 226 off of I-5 and a stop just after 9 AM at the Tulip Festival office at 311 W. Kincaid St. Mt. Vernon, WA. They can give you up-to-date information on the best fields to visit.

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Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

What beautiful pictures!  We have a large tulip festival in Holland, Michigan as well.  They're one of my favorite flowers.

Apr 07, 2010 10:47 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Hi Lola, tulips are a wonderful joy with so many varieties. Glad you have a festival as well. Take care and enjoy.

Apr 07, 2010 11:15 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Frank...

I love tulips, but there are considered annuals here because the winters are usually not cold enough for the bulbs to "sleep" properly. Great photos!

Apr 07, 2010 11:36 AM
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Frank - the tulip festival sounds awesome and is something I know I would enjoy. Your photos are beautiful.

Apr 07, 2010 11:51 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Thanks Richard, I wondered what the deal was on the north vs. the south on the bulb activity . . . now I understand it is about getting enough sleep . . . hope you are ;-) No wonder I sleep better up here than I did in CA.

As much as I enjoyed the beach, sailing, and riding the surf in Newport Beach Sharon . . . I do enjoy the special treats up here like this wonderful tulip festival, or at least that is how I justify the move. Of course if Mary had any say, we'd be back on the beach!

Apr 07, 2010 12:38 PM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Frank - what magnificent photos.  Would love to go to the festival, if only it were closer.

Apr 07, 2010 01:09 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

I have never heard of a Tulip Festival. I cannot help but look at your photos and think what awesome back drops they would make for Real Bird flyers! Now yoy know I have been blogging a while to be thinking that way!

Apr 07, 2010 01:29 PM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

It would be a bit of a trip from New York Lora, but it would be fun if you were in the neighborhood.

Glad we could bring the Tulip Festival to you Cheryl.

Apr 07, 2010 01:58 PM
Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

I want to visit Tulip Town!  I love tulips and they are here so briefly in Texas!

Apr 07, 2010 02:49 PM
Michael and Cheron Lange
Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
Associate Broker, GRI

What beautiful pictures!  I just love all the vibrant colors, it reminds me of Holland!  :)

Cheron

Apr 07, 2010 03:28 PM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Hi Melanie, We've been up to the festival in years past, but this is our first time to visit the "Tulip Town" farm. It was a great experience for all of us. The tractor ride was really fun.

The colors are amazing Cheron.

Apr 07, 2010 03:54 PM
Marlene Hoffman - Naples Beach Condos
Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. - Naples, FL

Frank, your photos are outstanding!  The colors really pop!  Did you do anything special in post processing?

Apr 08, 2010 03:30 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Thanks Marlene. I sharpen the .jpg file, adjust the brightness and contrast, but I did not touch the color . . . just as nature produced it.

Apr 08, 2010 07:28 AM
Steve and Jan Bachman
RE/MAX Gateway, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Sterling, Fairfax - Herndon, VA
Realtors - Northern Virginia

Just beautiful Frank...I have got to buy Photoshop...these pictures are awesome for the camera you are using. Fantastic job, great layout and wordsmithery as usual.

Apr 09, 2010 09:11 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Thanks Steve, I use Photoshop Elements, much cheaper and easier to learn than the full-blown PS package.

Apr 09, 2010 11:37 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I so want to go to a tulip festival just to take pictures, but because of allergies, I have never have been able too as my eyes would swell shut and I within about 30 minutes I wouldn't be breathing so hot either. One day, maybe they will make an allergy medicine that is good enough that I can go to a tulip festival.

Apr 12, 2010 04:07 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Hi Frank. thanks for your lovely photos.  I'll never forget the first time I came over a hill looking into the valley near LaConnor, north of Seattle, years ago and seeing tulips in bloom for miles!  It was magical.  Have you painted this PNW wonder?   ---Gloria

Apr 16, 2010 03:01 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

I'm smelling tulips, even though I'm pretty sure it's a product of my imagination. But they sure do smell, and look, good.

May 09, 2010 12:11 PM
Bob & Leilani Souza
Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA
Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

Simply BEAUTIFUL, Frank! I know I'm late in posting here, but I love your photos, just the same! :)

Leilani

Aug 04, 2010 10:03 AM