It’s early May and we’re driving south from Surrey, BC on I-5, taking Exit 320 West at Burlington, WA. At the lights we turned left and followed Highway 20. We were late for the tulip festival in April but maybe a few flowers were left to admire.

Bayview Campground

We camped at Bayview Campground on Padilla Bay, three miles north of Highway 20. This is a Washington State Campground and part of the park is the rocky beach of the Bay. An underpass from the campground leads to the beach and grassy picnic area with covered picnic tables. When the tide goes out the beach turns into mud flats, we watched as children sunk their feet into the soft, soggy mud and lost their shoes. They laughed and giggled when this happened while the parents tried to get the shoes out of the mud. This is an ideal place for children and families.

La Conner

This time of year it was cool but the sun made an appearance once in a while. We turned south of Highway 20 and toured the town of La Conner on Swinomish Channel, many fishing and charter boats were lined along the shoreline. La Conner is home to many boutiques, art galleries and gift shops. A very picturesque spot it’s surrounded by acres of farmland and the Rainbow Bridge (painted red), connects each side of the channel.

The days had turned sunny so we kept exploring and drove Highway 20 to Anacortes, on the north end of Fidalgo Island. We stopped at a marina where we toured the W.T. Preston, the “Last of the Puget Sound Sternwheelers”. A museum led us to the boat where a self guided tour is offered. First built with a wooden hull in 1929, then replaced with a steel hull in 1939 the sternwheeler still has its original engines. The living quarters, kitchen and wooden derrick took us back in time. We stepped off the 163ft. 5 in. boat and admired “the way it was.”

A farmers market at the end of the street was a welcome sight. Many vendors were selling crafts, coffee, clothes and produce. We bought a loaf of homemade garlic sourdough bread in the friendly, easy going atmosphere. The day was getting hot, but we wanted to see more.

We passed the Washington State Ferry terminal and it was busy. Ferries leave daily to other islands such as Guemes Island, Orca Island, Shaw Island, Lopez Island and also to Sidney, BC on Vancouver Island. Sailboats, fishing boats and every kind of boat were sailing in and out of the islands on this sun filled afternoon.

Then Highway 20 took us into the 220 acre Washington Park. The loop road is 2.2 miles and signs told us to “drive slow” on the narrow one way which circles the park. Huge fir, arbutus and cedar trees grew on each side of the pavement. We wound our way through the forests and stopped at many rest areas and overlooks. The scenery was amazing, high cliffs overlooking Rosario Strait made it easy to watch boats in the distance. Many hiking trails intersect the park. We stopped and took pictures of the islands and marinas of Anacortes. The road also led us through a 73 site campground, 46 with water and electricity, open all year round. Many rest stops and picnic areas could turn this into an all day trip.

The next day it was time to leave; we packed up and headed home. The fields where the flowers once bloomed were empty. I was sorry I had missed the colorful tulips but maybe next year.