Half-a-day Off

April 24, 2009 -- Jon took 1/2 the day off to take me to see the Tulips that are in bloom. It was a gorgeous, sunny day -- a perfect spring day! No strong winds, mild temperatures -- I think we topped out at 64 degrees. It was "picture perfect" and I took a lot of pictures.

We drove to Mt. Vernon and couldn't resist a photo of the John Deere tractors -- just for Papa.

We got stuck on a one-way street and pulled into a parking lot to turn around. I liked the painting on the smoke stack.....

I loved the color blend of these tulips that were in a parking lot garden.

Jon kindly pulled over -- notwithstanding the traffic behind him -- so I could get these photo's of the last field filled with daffodils in bloom.

*** Fields of Flowers ***

The daffodils and tulips are beautiful, but this little noxious weed had fields, yards and ditches filled with their yellow beauty. And while they don't hold the same fascination for most of us, when a field is carpeted with them, the color is brilliant and it's beautiful for the moment. Unfortunately we didn't pose for a photo together in this field. I just jumped out and snapped a few photo's to share.

It is a most amazing sight to see fields carpeted in vibrant colors. From deepest purple, bright yellow, pretty pink, flashing red, and many other colors of the rainbow. I loved it and Jon tolerated my fascination.

Here and there you find an isolated tulip of a different color mixed in a row.

There were many fields being prepared for another planting. In this photo you can see three tractors in various places -- but there were actually seven tractors in this field plowing in rows.

Anacortes, Washington

After we were finished looking at the flowers, we headed over to Anacortes. We love this town. It's got breathtaking views and we like to just drive through and dream.

This was taken from a new housing development overlooking the bay that houses the ferry terminal. The ferries leave from Anacortes and serve all of the San Juan Islands.

This is a house being built in Anacortes. It is a castle. There are very few windows on the sides or back and the ones that are there are very small. We thought it was interesting and odd.





Deception Pass

We love going to deception pass. These photos are from the top of the bridge, looking South-West out into the Sound.

The next few photo's were taken from the beach looking up, toward the bridge (North East). The beach is part of a State Park and has a great rock beach. We threw a few rocks, picked up a few to bring home and just enjoyed the view.

We left Oak Harbor and drove down Whidbey Island to Clinton, WA, where we boarded the ferry -- Kittitas -- we were the last car on and they held the ferry for us. The ferry wasn't very full and the crossing to Mukilteo took about 20 minutes.

Leaving Whidbey Island

The Lighthouse at Mukilteo, WashingtonWe stopped for dinner in Lynwood at Billy McHales.

We had a great afternoon and evening. I don't know how long it's been since we've actually gone and done something with out a few tag-a-longs, and while we love those tag-a-longs, it was great to just spend the day together.

We should do it more often -- and so should you -- I highly recommend it!