Tripping Through the Tulips

Tripping Through the Tulips

My husband is a romantic. I love that about him. Among other things, he adores nature. When it rains, he wheels out on the deck to listen to pattering on the metal roof overhang. He checks the snow on Timpanogas Peak first thing each morning. He goes outside to gaze at dark cumulus clouds and lightning, or just to enjoy the bright sunlight on the grass. Nothing escapes his eye. He waits impatiently for the blossoms to appear every spring on the peach trees and the flowering plums.

So it was no surprise when one day he announced, "It's the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point. Let's go!"

We set a day. The day came. The weather looked warm, a change from all the preceding cold, bleak wintry days. We sped in our Honda van to the Gardens. Only one more day of the festival was left and the parking lot was already nearly full. We ordered lunch since it was nearly noon (and Doug loves a good restaurant). There was a short wait, and because it was so crowded, we invited a couple we had met to eat with us. Lunch was delicious, the conversation lively and animated, and we made some good friends. We ate lunch out on the patio in the--gasp-- sunshine? It lasted briefly. By the time we finished eating it had become gusty and very chilly. Rain threatened. Or snow? We left with a raincheck.

Cold weather persisted. But finally one day was predicted to be warmer, so we knew we must go before the tulips dropped their petals. The air was cool but pleasant. A slight breeze ruffled my hair. For two hours we wandered through the maze of paths, across the bridge, up the hill, past the waterfalls. The blazing splashes of color bordering the vast green lawns took our breath away. See what you think!

Gracefully poised to catch the sunlight.

I loved how the light rimmed the scalloped edges of the tulips. What glorious beauty!

Some of the colors were positively flamboyant.

Others were soft and delicate shades.

Even tiny was charming.

These were star-tipped.

Color everywhere.

Striped tulips with ruffled edges!

Come walk with us. Take your time. This kind of beauty deserves a second look, a savoring of the colors, shapes, and graceful stems of tulips bending in the breeze.

Even a small bridge to enjoy.

A field of these is stunning.

Discover the Secret Garden. We are inside the garden here.

Endless shades of pink!

What extraordinary design! Even the petals are rimmed with orange, and the black kite-shapes blaze against a positively brilliant yellow !

Doesn't the sight of these gladden your heart?

We sat outside the gazebo. Even this structure has a charming design looking up.

See you next year! Bye.