As an Alaskan, spring is not my favorite. The only green it delivers is in the form of envy when I see others basking in sunshine and sandals. Sometimes it’s hard to believe we live on the same planet, let alone the same country. Alaska’s spring is all about mud, Xtratufs, and squishing around the yard cleaning up everything that’s revealed as the snowpack recedes. It’s about mud-caked cars, boggy dog walks, and thinking chili is a perfect May dinner because who wants to barbeque in a stocking cap?

So imagine my joy when the school board added a three-day weekend to this year’s April calendar. I wasted no time booking myself a plane ticket in search of some real spring.

Skagit Valley’s tulip fields looked as springy as spring can be, and provided the perfect meeting point for an overdue visit with family. We all met up in Seattle, where we rented a car and drove to Bellingham for the weekend.

Let’s just say there was a little more spring in my step when I saw these stunning fields of tulips! We chose to visit RoozenGaarde, but there are many farms in the area. There were acres and acres and rows and rows of blooms under appropriately spring-like blue skies:

Bellingham was a lovely homebase for this excursion, only a scenic 30 minute drive from the tulip fields. The trees were in bloom and we especially enjoyed strolling around Whatcom Falls Park. We all agreed we’d go back again and take more time to explore this city… ideally in the spring again!

The next day we headed back to Seattle and played tourist for a few hours. Planning big trips is complicated, but this trip proved that quick getaways are 100% worth it. We are already planing our next excursion!

I returned to Anchorage and made the risky move of swapping out my snow tires, so hope springs eternal that a real spring will arrive here soon! 🌷