This story is brought to you by Diedrich Espresso.

Happening now through the end of April is the world-famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Have you been?

The Tulip Festival has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1984. Initially only a 2-day festival. Then 10. Then 17. And now, the entire month of April. Larger-than-life tulips shine brightly painted on the old smokestack towering above Downtown Mount Vernon. This little bulb of an idea for an event has practically evolved into defining the entire identity of its county or do you mean town here? 

Flowers aren’t just beautiful. They inspire.

The endless acres of color-filled tulip fields of Skagit Valley are about a 40-minute drive north of Everett … or only about a 28-minute drive to Diedrich Espresso’s Conway location; conveniently on the way in case you need to fuel before all the walking you’ll be doing.

The festival has three different tulip farms to choose from (admissions vary), as well as various events associated with the festival; from parades to photo contests. 

I haven’t been this year, but last year I visited RoozenGaarde. A stunning tulip farm featuring over one million hand-planted flowering bulbs. Over one million! There is also food on-site and you can buy bulbs if you see some tulips you’d like to plant at home.

To say there are photo opportunities would be an understatement. Everywhere you look looks like a postcard. The place is remarkably stunning. 

Because there are so many photo ops, your biggest challenge may be just trying to keep strangers from accidentally photobombing. Try avoiding peak times if you’re able.

If you’ve never been, I recommend checking it out at least once. I mean, if these flowers influenced the entire identity of a county, what might they inspire in you? Perhaps it’s time to stop and smell the tulips.

Thank you to Diedrich Espresso for helping to power this blog!

Garret is the co-founder + CEO of Live in Everett. He’s also journeying toward wholeness at GarretHunt.com.