You can’t go anywhere these days without running into a Starbucks. The coffeehouse is a global empire. Like the common cold, Starbucks’ popularity is a contagion that keeps spreading. They all virtually look the same, except one. You’d swear the original Seattle, Washington Starbucks is a knock-off.
Let’s start with the obvious—the topless mermaid logo. The buck-naked buxom design isn’t exactly a family-friendly invite to bring the kids inside for a Mocha Frappuccino. The logo color is different, too. It’s brown and white instead of the familiar green and white. The original design is rough around the edges, while the current logo is simple and refined—definitely a corporate look.
The original touts coffee, tea, and spices; the current doesn’t. Starbucks started as a coffee bean store and morphed into a coffeehouse chain, becoming a gathering spot for a community of coffee drinkers, students, remote workers, and folks sharing common interests. You won’t find that at the original, which relocated to Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1976 after first opening in 1971 in another part of town.
Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives 31587Courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives 31587
Picture-snapping tourists are everywhere outside the rather drab exterior storefront. There’s often a line just to get in. The original Starbucks is more museum than coffeehouse. The wood floor creaks, and the 1970’s decor is faded. You’ll find lots of exclusive merch, too—mugs, t-shirts, trinkets—to quench your thirst for nostalgia. Oh yeah, you can still get a cup of Starbucks brew. You’ll often see buskers performing outside the store. After all, they’ve got a crowd standing in line to please, and who may scarf up a few coins or dollars to tip.
A trip to the old Starbucks is a look back at the humble beginnings of what has become a cultural phenomenon and a global brand inspiring a new generation of coffeehouses and consumers.
As the spring sun begins to thaw the frost of winter, nature awakens in a kaleidoscope of colors, nowhere more splendidly than in the Skagit Valley of Washington state. Each year, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival transforms this picturesque region into a breathtaking panorama of tulip fields, drawing visitors from far and wide to witness this floral spectacle.
Intrigued by the allure of the tulip farms, I reach out to my longtime friend and Seattle resident, Will Springer, who shares his annual tradition of venturing beyond the city limits to immerse himself in the beauty of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Talking Tulip Festival With Will Springer
What inspired you to visit the tulip farms in Skagit County?
When not busy helping home buyers and sellers as a Seattle Realtor, I like to treat myself to a daytrip, and seeing the tulips in bloom each April is a must-do event. It’s only about an hour’s drive north of the city, or approximately 60 miles away, via the I-5 freeway (Exits 221-231).
Will Springer Photo
Will Springer Photo
How did you hear about the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
It’s difficult to miss the coverage on TV and on the internet. Locals are well aware of the tulip season every April. It’s a rite of spring and the festival attracts people from all over the Pacific Northwest.
What were your first impressions upon arriving at the tulip farms?
My impressions are similar each year that I visit: There is a rush of excitement to see the rows and rows of color and to smell the fresh fragrance in the air. The combination of sights and smells is a beautiful experience, particularly after a typically long, grey winter.
Will Springer Photo
Can you describe the colors and varieties of tulips you saw?
Take a springtime rainbow and splash it across acres of farmland. Then, as a bonus, blend some of those colors into unique rows of mixed tulips. Red, yellow, orange, white – they’re all so vivid at peak bloom. Apeldorm, which is named after a Dutch city, is a striking fire engine red. Another vivid red, Fostery King, features a white base that when the sun shines just right, petals appear to light up. And Big Smile tulips deliver a bright lemon-yellow color that can dominate a room when they are standing proud in your favorite vase.
Will Springer Photo
Will Springer Photo
What activities or attractions did you enjoy most during your visit?
There are four major tulip farms in the Mount Vernon, Skagit County, area, and parking is free. The biggest is RoozenGaarde at 50 acres – which is fantastic and quite popular – but I like to visit Tulip Town, which features a tractor ride around the grounds. That’s fun for people of all ages.
Will Springer Photo
Did you have any favorite photo spots within the tulip fields?
I like how Tulip Town offers a variety of photo opportunities. A red, wood frame stands on the farm with the live tulips as your picture. A swing, benches and low platforms are strategically placed around the grounds for photos with family, friends … and even dogs.
A near life-size windmill, surrounded by dozens of eye-popping tulips and a water feature is another great photo location near the front entrance. A small tulip-focused gallery/museum can be found inside a space that doubles as a food & drink stand and, most importantly, where you can purchase a bunch (or two!) of carefully wrapped full-length tulips at $15 apiece.
Will Springer Photo
How would you describe the overall atmosphere and vibe of the festival?
The vibe is family friendly fun. You see preschoolers bouncing up and down as they explore rows of blooms at their height. Seniors, walking hand in hand, enjoying the breadth of tulips and trying to guess their official names. Single folks taking in the sunshine and soaking up nature’s beauty.
Everyone appears to have left their busy lives behind for this special moment – an hour or two – to simply walk with nature. It’s an uplifting experience and a true sign that spring is here.
Will Springer Photo
Were there any unexpected highlights or surprises during your visit?
The highlight for me was watching the reaction of others. I have visited the flower fields a number of times. You can hear and see those visitors who have never experienced a large tulip farm in person. I watched the eyes of little ones light up. I heard the exclamations of “wow,” “amazing” and “so beautiful” over and over again.
Their reactions validated how I was feeling. It gave me a warm feeling, quite special for a city-dweller like me who rarely comes in contact with farmland.
Will Springer Photo
Did you sample any local foods or products while in Skagit County?
I did not this time. Tulip Town offers a small snack bar and outdoor food vendor on select days.
Looking for a place to eat? The Rex (19271 Best Rd., Mount Vernon) is a local favorite for sandwiches, burgers and desserts. Taylor Shellfish Farms (2182 Chuckanut Dr., Bow, Wash.) offers the freshest oysters in the region. And Snow Goose Produce (15170 Fir Island Rd., Mount Vernon) is a full-fledge farmer’s market with seasonal fruit and veg, baked goods, artisan cheeses and fresh-made ice cream.
Will Springer Photo
Would you recommend visiting the tulip farms to other travelers, and if so, why?
This is one of the must-see and -do events on the April calendar across Cascadia (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon). It is unique to our region, as expert farmers (and Mother Nature) produce the greatest numbers of tulips in the U.S. Skagit County (also known as Skagit Valley) has about 350 total acres of tulip fields (source).
Travelers scheduling an Alaska cruise in April could squeeze in a morning visit on the day their ship departs Seattle late afternoon. Rental cars are available within a mile of the major cruise ports (Piers 66, 90 and 91). Confer with cruise companies, such as Norwegian and Holland America for travel advice.
Will Springer Photo
How was the accessibility and ease of navigating around the tulip farms?
April can be wet and soggy in the PNW. Bring a second pair of shoes, a set that’s particularly good in dirt and mud. Or wear tall rain boots to protect your pants. Have a spare towel or two in the back of the car to wipe off any excess from your shoes.
Fields are not hospitable to people with accessibility concerns. Wheelchairs and walkers are better left in the car, sorry.
Any tips or advice for those planning a trip to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
Don’t select any day of the week or specific date. Plan your trip around the weather. Wait for a nice, sunny day without morning fog. Set your alarm early. Hit the road by 8:45am from Seattle in time for the 10am weekday opening of Tulip Town. Weekends are far busier. (Times vary on weekends and at the other farms).
You will get to see the tulips – perhaps some glistening with morning dew on their petals – at the quietest time of the day. It’s mostly peaceful and pleasant – and you will avoid the long lines of cars that tend to come when the sun has warmed the air around noon, when early tulip visitors are already enjoying lunch.
Will Springer Photo
How did the experience of seeing the tulip fields in person compare to seeing photos or videos?
Visually, cameras capture the beauty quite well. The shots of colorful rows from cameras attached to drones or from private planes higher up are amazing. (Guests are not permitted to shoot video with a drone without permission of the farming business.)
What technology has yet to deliver, of course, is the ability to capture the fragrant smells or the sounds of joy from visitors. The in-person experience is one-of-a-kind.
(Mellow Wanderer, Seattle) The minute you step out of SEA-TAC airport and take a 10 minute walk to Seattle’s light rail, you know you’re in a special city. Seattle gets it, with easy affordable mass transit. Forget the car. You can see all the top Seattle attractions and link to all the unique eclectic neighborhoods with a good pair of walking shoes, bus, trolley and light rail tickets. A 30 minute light rail ticket from SEATAC to your downtown hotel costs only 3 bucks. An autumn weekend during NFL football season in Seattle can be splendid. This town goes nuts over the Seahawks. They take their 12th Man motto seriously, proudly displaying their colors around town days before a game and fly 12th Man flags atop downtown buildings. Seattle autumn weather is typically chilly, with fog and mist in the morning before skies open up to partial clouds or brilliant sunshine. Layered clothing works best, though some locals wear t-shirts and shorts in the afternoon. Mellow Wanderer’s late September four-day weekend visit saw one day of rain- light intermittent drizzle-through early afternoon, but it didn’t hinder any planned activities.
Snoqualmie Falls Park
A visit to Snoqualmie Falls Park that day actually added to the rain forest-like atmosphere. The scent of Douglas Fir feels like you’re in the middle of a Christmas tree farm. Snoqualmie Park is a popular attraction, drawing more than 1.5 million visitors every year. The highlight is the 270 foot waterfall. There are also paved walking trails with some steep inclines. The park also has picnic areas, a gift shop, observation deck and the Salish Lodge.
Lake Union Kayaking
One of the great ways to see the Seattle lifestyle up-close is to take a kayak out into Lake Union. A community of houseboats– small and large, traditional and funky– ring the shores. Just like every tourist, Mellow Wanderer paddled by the Sleepless In Seattlehouseboat. It’s rather plain compared to some of the other ornate and elaborate homes on the water, but this lifestyle is obviously not cheap. The Sleepless In Seattle home recently sold for more than $2 million! Other sites to see are Gas Works Park, a 19 acre public park and former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant. Some parts of the rust-laden plant are in full view. The park’s hills and location are also known for great kite flying. Be on the lookout for seaplanes. They takeoff and land frequently on Lake Union. I asked the kayak attendant if we needed to stay out of their way, and he replied that they will see you and stay out of your way! Tip: a two person kayak is easier to control than a single. Also, it’s a good idea to wear water-repellent or quick dry clothing. You will get wet paddling. A hat, sunscreen, water and camera are good to have on hand as well.
Great Photo Ops
Kerry Park is an outstanding perch for beautiful views and snapshots of Seattle’s skyline. Crowds gather at sunset to see the city splashed in golden hues.
This is where many photos and videos are shot and published in magazines and broadcast on television. Some people will gather and sit on the hillside for intimate wine and cheese parties. West Seattle is where you’ll get great water view shots of Seattle. Use the panorama setting on your smart phone to capture the entire cityscape. There is also a lengthy waterfront walking trail.
Fremont is a bohemian neighborhood unlike any other you’ll ever see.
This is a sightseers’ paradise. You’ll discover everything, from the unusual to the bizarre. Consider the oversized troll sculpture under the Aurora Bridge. Then there’s the 7 ton bronze statue of Vladimir Lenin in the art district. If that doesn’t catch your fancy, walk across the street and see the Cold War era rocket fuselage attached to a building, which is next to the building with the planet Saturn sculpture, complete with rings, on the roof. No wonder people who live there call Fremont the “Center of the Universe.”
The Ballard neighborhood dates back to 1853 and sits right on the water. To the west of Ballard is Golden Gardens Park.
You’ll see sailboats, beach goers and the Olympic Mountains in the background. Pike Place Market in the heart of downtown Seattle is a shutter bug’s delight. Tourists jam the narrow walkways of this open air farmers market. There are brilliant colors of fresh fish on ice, produce and flowers. Equally colorful are the characters you’ll run into, such as the accordion player wearing a giant pigeon head jamming to Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball.
The original Starbucks coffee house is also here, where you’ll find the bare breasted mermaid logo you won’t see at any other Starbucks in the world.
Foodie Alert
Seattle is known for great seafood, cafes and coffee houses. Starbucks may rule the roost- its corporate headquarters is here- but there are literally dozens and dozens of equally good or better establishments. Mellow Wanderer had a terrific acorn squash latte at a local beanery. Over in West Seattle, Salty’s on Alki Beach has some of the best local seafood in Seattle. Their chowder with chunks of Dungeness crab is outstanding, as is the waterfront view of downtown Seattle. Some places you can’t forget because their names won’t let you. Case in point, below.
Click the video below to explore the wonders of Seattle.
(Mellow Wanderer, Seattle) Good morning coffee in Seattle! Kind of a light drizzle AM, bit of a chill in the air. Wandered into Sugar Bakery for a pick me up. According to my barista Zack, this section of Seattle is called First Hill a.k.a Pill Hill for all the surrounding hospitals & med clinics, including, he says, “methadone clinics.” Hmm. Anyhow, this hood is rather bohemian cool, earthy, Zip car rentals close to old, cozy hotels such as the Baroness and Inn At Virginia Mason. I’m a-digging-it!
