Happy Earth Day

Tulip season again. 

When I first started bicycling I used to load my bicycle on a WTA or SKAT commuter bus for a day-trip to Mount Vernon, to ride around the Skagit tulip fields. After a few years I became strong enough to ride my bike at least one way and tour the fields, too. This year I celebrated my half-vaccinated state on a sunny Wednesday afternoon by loading the bike in my new-to-me car and riding a 27 mile tour to see the flowers.

The 2021 Tulip Festival is pretty subdued. No parade, street fairs, hot-air balloon rides or art showings. The tulips were best viewed by paying admission for displays at farms like Tulip Town or Roozengaarde where people are allowed to walk among the rows. Being cheap, I just enjoyed views from the road. Usually I stop in at the Skagit Valley Co-op cafe for a sandwich and coffee and ice cream, but this spring the co-op closed the cafe in favor of more local, organic grocery space. Still it was a gorgeous day and I was so glad to get away from a year of semi-confinement.