Aromatic Musing

Driving into Sequim took longer then we thought. The Hood Canal Bridge was up so we crept along at under 35 miles an hour. Once past the bridge we flew along arriving at the Annual Lavender Festival.  Luckily, the temperature was a temperate 70 degrees making the drive pleasant. Of course, not having children in the car makes a big difference. I didn’t once hear the familiar lament, “Are we there yet?” A few obnoxious stories from our friend and co-traveler but we couldn’t have expected less from our very own “Mr. Wilson” who lives next door. I believe he has a head full of the most arbitrary trivia about almost anything.

When we drove into Sequim, we immediately caught the overtones of Lavandula Angustifolia wafting through the air. There are around 30 types of Lavender many all growing here creating a relaxing aroma. The official signs direct you to take the Washington exit, I suggest going on to the second exit as Washington usually has extensive back-ups. You can find free parking on residential roads surrounding the street fair but parking at the high school supports high school activities.

The street festival is free and has booth after booth of artisans sharing their wares and demonstrations. Of course, there are food booths featuring Lavender ice cream, a variety of ethnic food choices as well as the traditional roasted corn on the cob, fresh strawberry shortcake with real cream (my favorite) and burgers and hotdogs. A concert stage was featuring a blue grass band while we sat on the grass and ate our lunch.

We were able to purchase our admission to all of the Lavender fields at a booth for $15. Proceeds are donated to various nonprofit organizations. We spent the rest of the afternoon touring the fields.

Lavender fields have a unique look, mounds of deep purple and lavender stretching out before you with the occasional grouping of bright red poppies standing a head above them. It is well worth the drive just for the visual feasting. However, there is so much more. Our favorite farm was the Purple Haze Farm. Their setting and associated gardens as well as the architecture set this apart as one of the most picturesque.


All of the farms had their gift shops (these are quite pungent) and vendors selling lotions, soaps using Lavender. You can also cut your own bundles right from the field. Many of the farms have concert stages also where local bands play. Geoffrey Castle played at Purple Haze to huge crowds enjoying lavender margaritas and ice cream. We had hoped to partake of dinner at the Herb Farm but found that it had already closed at 5:00pm.

Besides the festival there are several great site seeing opportunities surrounding Sequim. We went down to the water and took in the gorgeous view of Dungeness Spit and Lighthouse. If you plan to walk the spit, the longest natural sand spit in in the U.S. you will want to start early. The walk is a five miles and tends to get very hot out there. Thanks  for a great weekend, Sequim!