Tulip Fields are where Gardeners Go to Breathe
Packed full of wonder and amazement, as if a rainbow stopped to lay down and take a rest. And why wouldn’t one? Look around the landscape of any tulip farm and the reasoning seems clear. These are some of the most tremendous valleys any rainbow of tulips could possibly think to call home.
Who wouldn’t want to stay and play?
Tulips of the Valley Festival
Held in Agassiz B.C. for 2 short weeks in April, my daughter and I decided to spend our Easter Monday relaxing and doing some much needed Mother/Daughter bonding. A trip to see tulips seemed ideal. Wanting to make the most of our day, we got up early and started on our adventure out into the valley.
Just past Harrison Hot Springs, the road to the tulip fields is easy driving taking under 2 hours (traffic dependent). Having left home just after 730am, we made excellent time and managed to be some of the first people to see the fields on that busy holiday Monday.
Sleep in at You’re Own Risk
Having arrived so early we avoided the parking issues and road delays that often come during this peak tourist time in the valley. Reports from the Agassiz Tulip Festival, Seabird Island FB page in the week before our visit, had lots of talk of traffic problems, road closures and long waits for buses. All of this was avoidable by simply leaving early. We had no line, we had no wait and we had our pick of seats on the bus with tulips as far as the eye could see. What more could a couple gardeners on the loose want?
Morning has it’s own rewards. Less people means more room to move, day dream and frolic in the tulips. Besides, early morning brings the best light for all those dreamy tulip field shots and silly girl road trip selfies that we *had* to take.
It was so peaceful. We really had the run of the place. Just me, the kid and a few other shutterbugs patrolled the fields. Every face and every lens reflected the awe and beauty of the tulips.
While the festival is small (having only opened in 2006), this family owned operations packs a colourful punch! When you take note of the scenic views, the lack of border delays, the easy drive to Vancouver and even easier proximity to the Harrison Hot Springs Resort, the Tulips of the Valley festival was just the short reprieve from reality that we both needed.
A garden getaway in our own backyard.
