I Stopped and Smelled the Flowers. And the Cows.

Every year in Skagit Valley they have a month-long festival called the Tulip Festival. There are flower fields galore in the valley that bloom all throughout the month of April. Of course they can't control the weather so you never know when the best weekend to go is until it is there. This weekend was not the best weekend, although there was still plenty to do and see. Only SOME of the fields were in bloom, thanks to the magic of green houses and people with green thumbs, as opposed to my black thumb. But really I only needed one field of tulips to keep my happy. Here's a sample of the beauty of Washington:

Yes, this is the magic that is my photography skills.

Totally intentional and a sample of my usual skill. Because of what I've been told has been an unusually cold spring, the daffodils were still in full bloom. I'm told this is unusual for this late spring.
There were tourist traps---er, quaint shops galore, with witty people managing them.
There was a field of white we passed.

Turns out, it was a whole field of geese. And they flew away, like a scene out of The Birds. I feared for my life.

Also there were cute children. These ones happened to belong to us. Okay, to W. But I am claiming them anyways.

Baby Girl, Jumping Bean, and their aunt supplied me with plenty of cute pictures.


Not only did we go see lots and lots and lots of flowers, but we went to a barn with actual animals to pet them. We saw a cow, some miniature ponies, chickens and their chicks that were underfoot but managed not to get trampled, at least while we were there, bunnies, baby horsies, and goats. Baby Girl was not having any of this petting stuff. She thought we were all just a little crazy for thinking this was a good plan. But she did point them out and even match some animal sounds with the animals. Jumping Bean and his auntie were dubious at first but soon relaxed and got friendly with the bunnies and the goats. I personally got to touch my first cow head. It was quite exhillerating, let me tell you.

This whole grand adventure happened today in perfect 70ish degree weather. It was a beautiful glorious day and we all were ready for a nap on the car ride back. W wouldn't let me take mine, though. Something about the driver being conscious. So I settled for allowing her to mock my cd collection instead.