Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
I love photos. I love taking them and I love looking at them. But sometimes they fall short. Sometimes there’s a mood, a feeling of place that can only be captured by being there. And you can’t record a scent.
I wish I could have caught the scent as I took this picture. It was heaven. Pure heaven.
Martha Lane Lavender is a certified organic lavender farm. They offer lavender ice cream, cookies, and lemonade for sale during the Lavender Festival. But, well, this bench caught my eye. And so did the still in the background. I’m sure it’s innocent, just for distilling lavender. But the people in this shot were engaged in such an animated conversation I couldn’t interrupt with questions. And it’s tacky to ask about free samples, isn’t it?
Sequim, the “Lavender Capital of North America,” is celebrating our purpleness this weekend with the annual Lavender Faire and Festival. Our weather has been perfect and the timing is right: the fields are in peak form and they look great.
We had time yesterday to take in just a couple of the many farms that have opened their doors to visitors. My camera favored Oliver’s Lavender Farm, shown here.
Lavender grows well in many areas of Sequim. It likes loose, sandy soil and not too much moisture. Though soils vary throughout this region (my garden is favored with a choice blend of clay and concrete), many places have the “just right” conditions for lavender. Plant it there and watch it take off.
Most of our lavender growers enhance the view with garden features and plantings that would make a brown thumb ache with envy. But it’s also an inspiration to take ideas home.
There are lavender plants virtually everywhere, ready for the home gardener. Or baskets and clippers to pick some fresh to take along. Or bundles of dried lavender. Or any imaginable lavender-based lotion or potion.
We’re heading into the Sequim lavender season. Early blooming lavender is showing its color and our commercial lavender operations are getting ready for company: the annual Lavender Faire and Festival begins July 19. Jardin du Soleil, above, is open for business.
Sequim and the Dungeness Valley is a premier lavender growing region and as our growers open their gates to visitors and harvest this year’s crop there are plenty of attractions for visitors and locals. It’s time for total lavender immersion.
Our annual Lavender Faire and Festival is always a treat. This little munchkin was dressed to charm and had a terrific time cutting lavender with her mother.
The Lavender Festival is a great place to take children. Parents love taking their pictures in the fields, they make excellent helpers picking lavender, and there’s a variety of fun things to do. This little sweetie tagged along with Mom at Lost Mountain Lavender.
Misty, the “Lavender Clown Fairy” (isn’t she cute?), turned balloons into all manner of things for kids at Sunshine Herb & Lavender. A Kid’s Faire was offered at Carrie Blake Park and there were 4-H animals to visit and pet, lavender crafts projects, and treasure hunts plus facepainting and displays. It’s a great family event.
The farms on the heritage lavender farm tour all have gift shops. . .and they’re all fun if you like retail grazing. Above is Lost Mountain Lavender.
Here is Jardin du Soleil. It and Lost Mountain both have new owners this year.
The Purple Haze gift shop is in the building to the right, above. The building in the distance is a rental house for those who want a total lavender immersion. Purple Haze also has a retail store on Washington Street.
Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm is the first heritage lavender farm that you encounter as you come to Sequim from the east. With this gorgeous red barn it’s hard to miss.