The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs until April 30, so it's time to head stateside. Think tiptoeing through the tulips is just for senior citizens? Walking through rows of brilliantly coloured blooms is guaranteed to shake off the winter blahs, and the festival has plenty of other attractions to entertain young urbanites. Besides, it's located just south of Burlington Prime Outlets mall. Quick, call shotgun.

The Skagit Valley is 96 kilometres south of Vancouver, and the festival centres on the tulip fields spread out over a 24-kilometre radius between La Conner and Mount Vernon. (Take exits 221 to 236 off the I-5.) The lush, pastoral area immediately lowers the blood pressure. Wandering around the galleries and cafÉs of waterside La Conner is worth the trip in itself.

You can see the tulips and daffodils just by driving around, parking on the side of the road next to farmers' fields, and gazing into the riot of petals. According to the festival's executive director, Cindy Verge, these flowers are agricultural crops that are cut and carted out to be sold as the month progresses. Indeed, when I visited last year, one of the highlights was watching the workers gather and sort armfuls of flowers. But if you arrive near month's end when many stalks may already be harvested (Mother Nature sets the schedule), fear not. Roozengaarde, a division of the Washington Bulb Company, operates a 1.2-hectare display garden with flowers timed for early, mid, and late blooming, as does Tulip Town, which has 60 varieties. Both charge a couple dollars in admission but give an up-close view of the blooms–and a place for addicted city folk to buy a latte. Tulip Town has a photo platform that is worth the entrance fee for a panoramic view. Try to visit in early morning or late afternoon to avoid the weekend crowds.

If you go this Saturday (April 14), sit back at the beer garden at La Conner's Kenmare Square and watch the 2 p.m. parade go by, a sweet small-town affair with a high-school marching band. Don't miss the Kiwanis salmon barbecue, which runs at Mount Vernon's Hillcrest Lodge from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until April 30. For $11, volunteers serve up a complete alder-grilled salmon meal, including ice cream, in a friendly atmosphere that feels like a Gilmore Girls episode come to life.

Complete festival info and maps can be found at www.tulipfestival.org/ .

FROM COUCH POTATO TO EXPLORER
There are those who spend their vacations paddling, climbing, and biking in the B.C. wilderness, and those who just wish they could. We all know our province has some of the most beautiful parks in the world, but for many, it's not so easy to just set off with a backpack and explore one. Would-be wanderers will relate to Wild at Heart, a new 13-week documentary series that kicked off March 28 on the Knowledge Network (Channel 5). It runs Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Each week, a different group of outdoor neophytes–B.C. residents selected from thousands who responded to a casting call–sets off into the unknown. From mountaineering in Garibaldi to biking the Myra Canyon, the program showcases B.C. scenery while participants conquer their physical and mental challenges. It might just inspire you to explore B.C. this year.