Trailer Life: Tulip Time!

Meander through the vibrant red, fiery orange and dazzling yellow flower fields in Washington's Skagit Valley

WHY GO TO HOLLAND TO see broad fields of magnificent tulips when you can travel in the comfort of your own RV to see them right here at home? Washington's Skagit (pronounced SKAJ-et) Valley is one of the world's largest tulip-growing regions, and every year - when the flowers bloom in April - amonthlong Tulip Festival draws visitors from around the world. By bus, boat, plane or private vehicle, more than 100,000 people flock to this quiet little farming community to enjoy the lush spectacle of more than 1,000 acres of blossoming tulips, daffodils and iris.

In the 1940s and '50s, the Roozen and DeGoede families from Holland immigrated to the Skagit Valley, bringing with them their knowledge and passion for growing flowering bulbs. Thus began a multi-million-dollar industry that ships these flower bulbs around the globe. Actually, the blossoms are just a by-product of the bulb-growing industry, but they provide a lucrative tourist attraction for the local community, and a great deal of pleasure for the people who come to see them. The blossoms last about three weeks and are cut off the stalks as soon as the blooms start to fade in order to keep the bulbs healthy, so be sure to call the Tulip Festival number to get the latest information on the peak dates for the blooms and plan your trip accordingly.

Upon your arrival, you will find a fantastic visual feast awaiting you. If you are like most visitors, you'll come with camera in hand expecting to capture that "perfect" photograph. Give yourself every advantage by planning your photo sessions during the weekdays, when crowds are lighter. Take advantage of soft early-morning light and use a tripod, as you may need to compose your picture and then wait for the breeze to settle before snapping the shutter. Don't be afraid to get light down on the ground at the level of the flowers to take your pictures. The fields are muddy, so wear old shoes or boots. A pair of light waterproof pants will help keep you dry and comfortable while you're sitting on the damp earth.

Patches of fog often linger in the mornings and float in ghostly wisps among the blossoms, creating wonderful, soft watercolor scenes. Some of the best photographs we've seen were taken with raindrops sparkling on the flower petals, so don't let a little rain deter you.

One visit is never enough to the Tulip Festival. Every year, the flower fields are rotated with other crops to keep the soil rich, so you will be greeted with a different landscape each time you come. The rustic barns seem to shift locations with different backgrounds as the patterns of the fields change. Quaint farmhouses sit beside the rows of flowers, and dramatic views of Mount Baker and the Cascade Mountains provide a perfect backdrop for photos.

Many flower fields are located along Beaver Marsh Road, including the spectacular display gardens at Roozengaarde Farms, where a vast array of tulips, narcissus and daffodils grow in artful arrangements. Each variety is labeled with names such as Golden Apeldoor, Apricot Beauty or Orange Emperor to help you make selections for the varieties you wish to purchase. Throughout the gardens, people snap pictures or simply stand in awe of the magnificent displays. A tall, white windmill, with arms that nearly sweep the ground, turns gently in the wind. Nearby picnic tables offer a lovely spot for lunch.

Visitors are allowed to walk among the flowers in many fields. Some even have mule-drawn wagons that take you out in style along with great commentary on the region. Like a colorful patchwork quilt, acres and acres of brilliant blossoms spread out in every direction. Dancing on slender stalks in the breeze, the tulips resemble lollipops swaying to a music that only they can hear. An enticing perfume permeates the air, and the flowers are exquisite. Pause and let yourself be engulfed by the deep feeling of peace that abides here in this beautiful Pacific Northwest valley.

The flower fields are located off Interstate 5, about 60 miles north of Seattle, between the little towns of Mt. Vernon, LaConner and Burlington. Your Trailer Life Campgrounds, RV Parks i? Services Directory lists a number of campgrounds in the area, and early reservations are a must. Plan on leaving your large rig in the campground and using your secondaiy vehicle, bicycle or one of the many public shuttles to view the flowers, as the narrow farm roads weren't made for heavy traffic, and parking is limited.

The Tulip Festival is a community-wide event involving all of the little towns in the Skagit Valley, and is a celebration of history, music and art as well as flowers. A vast array of activities will keep you busy for as long as you can stay. Mount Vernon celebrates with a street fair, salmon barbecues, arts-and-eraft shows, concerts and many other events. Sedro Wolley has the Woodiest, celebrating its roots in logging. Anacortes, an old oil-refinery town, has art- and quilt shows, as well as a ferryboat to the San Juan Islands. Don't miss the charming seaside village, La Conner, with its streets lined with art galleries and crafts shops.

Good seafood is plentiful here, so plan to eat your fill. If shopping is your thing, Burlington is noted for its discount centers, and gamblers will enjoy Skagit Resort Casino. This region is also known for its large number of eagles and trumpeter swans, so come prepared with a pair of binoculars.

The Tulip Festival is an event that you will truly enjoy, so when April rolls around, fire up your truck and head for the tulip fields. We'll see you there.

i Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, (360) 428-5959, tulipfestival.org. Circle 210 on Reader Service Card.