TIP TOE, THOUGH THE TULIPS.....

See the bright colours in the foreground?

As we got closer, the various colours in the fields jump out at us.

Row upon endless rows of tulips....and in so many colours.

A reminder that you can click on any photo for a larger view.

As the sign indicates, we are in Washington State - in the north west corner - just south of the Canadian border.

Being the 'green thumb' in our family, Jeanette always loves to visit gardens, check out plants, trees and shrubs and explore any landscape designs.  Look out if she has a pair of trimming tools in her hands because things change.....and for the better, I might add.

Although and RN by profession, over many years, Jeanette took horticulture courses (for fun) at a local college.  Although not her goal at the beginning, she actually graduated with a diploma in horticulture.  So.....we have an RN / Horticulturist in our household..... a pretty handy combination, I might add.

Sunday morning was true to the weather girl's predictions of sun and blue skies.

 A stream very near our home.

We suited up and headed for the Peace Arch border crossing, for entry into the USA.

The famous 'Peace Arch' that divides Canada and the USA on the Pacific coast of the northwest mainland.

It was clearly a 90 minute to 2 hour wait to cross the border into the USA  but-----  we have NEXUS cards (also known as super passports) that allow us to drive in the NEXUS only lane and cross the border in mere minutes.

For the uninitiated, NEXUS accreditation requires a US Homeland Security/FBI security  check, RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) check and, once approved as a good candidate for NEXUS, and following a direct and to the point interview process, a high tech chip card is issued that allows trusted citizens to use dedicated NEXUS lanes to cross into the USA and back into CANADA.  Since 911, this has made crossing the Canada/USA borders a breeze.

We cruised the back roads  - we so well know - in Washington State and rode into downtown Bellingham.

My co-pilot rider wanted me to stop here so she could get this Bellingham, WA. harbour shot.

Jeanette hiked down towards the water to take the previous photo.  I held fort.

We cruised into 'Fairhaven', a late 1880's section of Bellingham, where we often find really good restaurants.

A late breakfast was in order so we stopped here.....at the Harris Avenue Café.

Can you see the street entertainers to the right.....and the harbour below?

Breakfast of eggs, toast, potatoes, coffee  =  $6 US. That is a bargain!

Once fed and watered, we rode further south on the famous Chuckanut ocean drive towards LaConner, WA....and..... you guessed it, the world famous TULIP FESTIVAL.

Puget Sound from high up on the Chuckanut Drive.

Wider view of Puget Sound.

The Chuckanut Drive - a Canopied road - covered by the large cedar and fir tree bows.  This is a fabulous motorcycling road.

Leaving the Chuckanut road and heading towards LaConner and Port Angeles, WA.

Although it may seem like this is a long ride, it isn't.  It took about one hour of actual riding time to get to LaConner, WA.

These are near new boulevards in the country where the wonderful tulip farms are. 

The colours are spectacular.

WARNING!!!  Prepare to see a high volume of photos......

....and we hope you enjoy them all.

OK......enough of that.  

We really enjoyed our time looking at these wonderful fields.....and the colours.  This is an annual event....and although these fields look magnificent, the cooler than normal spring weather has impacted growth.  It is a spectacular sight to witness anytime.

We chose to ride home on Highway 9 (east of I-5), north from Sedro Wooley, WA.  Jeanette caught this shot of Mt. Shuksan in the North Cascade Mountains to the east.  Mt. Shuksan is just south of the famous Mt. Baker.

Stopped for much needed fuel - just south of Lynden, Wa.

Approaching the Aldergrove, BC - Canadian border crossing.  This is a small border crossing - located about 14 miles east of the Peace Arch border crossing.

So, after a good five hours on the road, and tip toeing through the tulips, we headed back north for home.  Although the weather girl had forecast temperatures in the 15 top 18 degree Celsius range, we doubt the temps got any higher than about 11 or 12 degrees Celsius.

It was a wonderful day - either way.  Hard to beat sun and blue skies!

Thanks for dropping in.