Lavender fields add a French accent to summer pleasures in Sequim, Washington. In bloom
from late June through September, these farms near the Olympic Range in western Washington enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year. The annual Lavender Festival (July 19-21, 2002) offers the perfect opportunity to check out a marvelous collection of aromatherapy products and a variety of exotic edibles, such as lavender ice cream and lavender mustard. During the festival, buses take visitors to the various lavender farms, some of which allow you to stroll through the blossoms.
At the visitor center in Sequim, you can pick up a map to the lavender farms that invite visitors throughout the summer. Several farms include cutting gardens where you can pick your own flowers or fresh produce, and most have gift shops that will tempt you to search for the perfect lavender keepsake. Several owners have added cafes or wineries to their property. At one farm, the owner raises more than 40 varieties of lavender! We were especially intrigued by the process of extracting the oils from the blossoms and stems, the process that turns the lovely blossoms into an amazing number of aromatic products. After a delightful day of touring, we returned to our campsite at Sequim Bay State Park just as the setting sun was casting a golden glow across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
For information and/or reservations at this or any of the private RV parks in the area, visit www.tldirectory.com. For additional information about the festival, go to www.lavenderfestival.com. For more area information, contact the Sequim-Dungeness Chamber of Commerce at www.visitsun.com. For state travel information, visit www.experiencewashington.com.
For more
travel destinations, pick up the June 2002 issue of MotorHome on the newsstand. Then subscribe to MotorHome – so you can stay informed on the latest information regarding the motorhome lifestyle, places to visit, previews and tests, products and technical information.
