Saturday, May 28, 2011

Victoria, BC

In early May I decided to hop - left the car in Anacortes - on the Washington State Ferry and head over to Victoria, BC. I've been to Victoria numerous times to visit all my fabulous relatives, but this time I just hung out with my sweet aunt and uncle. I did find some time to stroll through their pretty neighborhood, but the rest of the time we just talked, and talked, and talked - about everything and anything. It was so much fun.

I don't have any shots from the trip over since I was sharing a booth on the ferry with the cutest ex-Navy Seal I've ever met, so naturally I spent the entire time chatting with him (and staring at his gorgeous face!) That made the three hour ferry ride fly by...believe me.

Spring arrived late in Victoria, as it did throughout the PNW. During my stay the weather was mostly just gray, cool, and drizzly with only brief visits from the sun. Oh well. That didn't stop me and my Nikon from taking walks in search of photo ops...


The view from my uncle's place...

The Governor's Mansion and beautiful grounds...








Cute houses...





The cemetery near the beach...




Spring blooms...



The view toward the San Juans...

Looking out toward the Straight of San Juan de Fuca...

A cozy little cove...


The Canadian Navy coming into port...


We had dinner in Chinatown...





Sunset from my uncle's place...

Heading back to Anacortes on the ferry...

Approaching Friday Harbor...




Leaving Friday Harbor...


Solitude...
I love Victoria. It's quaint, charming, clean, and friendly. And to all my crazy friends in California who have never been to BC or Victoria....WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!!!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Roozengaarde, WA

Welcome to Roozengaarde, one of the largest flower bulb growing businesses in the world. Located in the picturesque farmland around Mt. Vernon, Roozengaarde opens its show garden to flower lovers from all over the world to enjoy the colorful displays of tulips, daffodils, azaleas, rhododendrons, and other spring-flowering bulbs and blooms. Here are some shots from my stroll through their gorgeous, meticulously-maintained gardens...







































I just can't get enough of those wonderful tulips!

Click HERE to learn more about tulips and why growers top them about three weeks after blooming.
Click HERE to visit Roozengaarde's website.