Sequim ~ The Provence of America
Sequim, Washington. The Provence of America
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When we think of Provence, we always seem to think of that special and unique area in the southeast of France that lies between the Alps and the Mediterranean. We think of charming, rustic villas dotting the hillsides and those ever so famous vineyards that produce so many bottles of delicious still and sparkling wines. We also envision those seemingly endless fields of lavender that stretch over those rolling fields that tenderly embraced the summer with their purple, lavender and pink flowering bushes. To me, it sparked ancient memories of childhood when we sniffed Grandmother’s delicious soaps and little stitched packets of lavender buds she had kept in her top drawer. She would tell me stories of that land so far away and where these soaps and little sachets traveled from. What wonderful trips I would take in my imagination of childhood dreaming of the magical places she described.
But, now, for me, it will always make me think of the Provence of America. This is an area where dozens of farm owners have planted their fields with the many varieties of lavender and about the devoted farmers who are passionate about growing these heavenly bushes. This is a very unique area that lies at the northern edge of Washington state in a little town called Sequim. Being in the rain-shadow of the Olympic Mountains, it also borders on the Pacific Ocean. They only recieve about a dozen or so inches of rain annually which makes it very similar to Provence in the south of France. If you look out across the water, you will be able to see Victoria, BC in the distance. But if you come here, you will have come with the sole intent of visiting this charming little town.
It is not some place that you pass by on your way to somewhere else.
It will be your destination!
I recall the first time I came here to visit. I saw rolling farmlands in this lush valley that was bordered by the soaring Olympic Mountains to the south. It was a beautiful morning, for we had left Seattle early to make the best of our day. There was a mist hanging on the edges of those steep and craggy cliffs and the blue skies with billowy white clouds added to the natural beauty. There were charming painted murals on the sides of buildings and little road side stands selling hand-crafted items along with fresh fruits and vegetables. There were marinas and golf courses and so many Bed and Breakfast Inns to encourage you to come and stay for a while, not to mention signs directing you to come and get your own freshly caught native Dungeness Crabs or freshly dug clams. One really has the sense that there is so much to experience here and how did it take so long to discover this lovely little town.
Grabbing a Latte at the coffee house, we headed out for a visit of our first lavender farm. I will never forget the complete amazement as I stepped out of the car and the fragrance that drifted on the air. Gentle and sweet and sublime… I was amazed. I had no idea the effect it would have on me. This peacefulness enveloped me and I walked as if on air. Lavender bushes of many varieties were planted along with rose bushes and climbing vines. There was a farmhouse for rent for a night or a week and of course we walked through and thought what a great place to invite the family for a reunion. We walked in the gardens and saved the gift shop for last, but not without lingering long enough to indulge in a small cup of lavender and white chocolate ice cream. Whatever your favorite ice cream is, this one will quickly take it’s place for the flavor is simply beyond your imagination.
I think currently there are about 30 Lavender Farms to visit, but if you are here for only a day, you will not be able to visit them all. Every one of them is unique in it’s own way and each year when you return, you will see the changes and improvements that have happened since your last visit. You are encouraged to harvest your own bundles of lavender to take home with you. Some of the farms have restaurants and/or gift shops with a vast variety of items that are lavender related. Many have potted lavender plants for you to purchase and take home and plant in your own garden. All of the farms are delightful to see and as you leave you will wonder if you have seen everything there is to see. Each farm stays on my list of places I simply must visit the next time I am back. When you do leave Sequim, the Provence of America, you will also be promising yourself a return visit. Or maybe even the thought will come to you that this is a place you want to move to and spend the rest of your days.
I know it is for me…
By Marjorie Wallace 
Featured in WELCOME TO WASHINGTON (the state) ~ 01 November 2009
Leena Hedman
I enjoy your writng skills so much Marjie, and you really made me want to go see these lavender farms. Why do I have this terrible yearning for lavender ice cream all of a sudden??.......;-) xox
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Leena. I know you would love it here and I hope one day you can come for a visit. One of these farms actually makes ice cream and sells it at our local grocery store. I must go and pick some up one of these days.
Kay Kempton Raade
Wonderful. I think you should write for their tourist board—but then it would get crowded. What time of year do they bloom?
Marjorie Wallace replied
Oh, thank you so much, Kay. It actually gets VERY crowded during the Lavender Festival in July. I make a special point to visit before the festival because I am not crazy about the millions of people who show up. I go a week or so before the festival and take my photos when the fields look their best. The last time I was there, it was bright overcast which is why the colours are so intense. It was a photographer’s dream.
Bootiewootsy
Wonderful writting and beautiful photos … Well done.
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. It means so much to me. :~)
Leena Hedman
Well, me thinks you need to write some books my dear Marjie. You would be a perfect columnist too. I SO would read everything from your pen!
Marjorie Wallace replied
Oh, thank you so much Leena. I am putting together a small book that has by images and little vignettes or quotes by me. Now all I need is a good agent. I am working on that. I so appreciate your comments and I am glad you like my work. I feel blessed.
Sean Farragher
well done,,,,,,,beautiful pictures
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much Sean. I am glad you like it.
Anna Shaw
Oh, thanks for sharing that. I had no idea there was a Provence over there. Beautiful writing and images.
xx
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so very much, Anna. I think it is rather a nick name for this area because of the lavender fields. The festival in the summertime has become legendary and many people love to come here any time of the year. It is simply sublime… :~)
Morag Bates
Very beautiful, and interesting too !
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Moraq. I am glad you enjoyed it and took the time to leave me a message. It means so much to me. :~)
AuntDot
Such lovely writing, Marjorie! You make it sound so inviting, and your photos of the lavender are superb.
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much Aunt Dot. It means so much to me that you enjoyed it for it is another outlet for me need to be creative. Isn’t Red Bubble the most rewarding place? Have a lovely day! xoxox
~Marjie
Debbie Meyers
Beautifully written, makes me want t0 be there! I can almst smell it!
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Debbie. I loved visiting there and think it would be the most wonderful place to live. I so appreciate your sweet comments. xoxox
Anne Hale
Thank you, Marjorie, for sharing your experiences and photos of Sequim. It does look like heaven and an incredible destination. When you think of Washington State, you think of rain. So it is hard to believe that Sequim only receives 12+- inches of rain. Again, thank you for your beautiful writing and photography. Anne
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Anne. I so appreciate that you came to read my little story and left such a nice comment. It means so much to me.
DonDavisUK
You make a wonderful travel writer Marjorie, I loved that story, and you’ve made me hungry mentioning those amazing Dungeness Crabs. mmmmmm. The pictures are beautiful and in my mind I smell the hint of lavendar in the air. Thanks so much for the invitation to read and join you on an adventure of discovery. Wonderful. Regards. Don.
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you very much, Don. I so appreciate you coming to read it and your wonderful response. I also am a big fan of Crab cakes and will never forget the ones I had in Baltimore a few summers ago. OMG! The best ever. It was crab cakes on English muffin and Hollandaise sause over the top. Absolutely to die for.
dinghysailor1
wow thanks so much marjorie for this trip into these fragrant fields with you .. how utterly gorgeous – your writing and the images both.. to dream of
:))
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so very much, Maggie for coming to read my little vignette and for your sweet comments. It means so much to me. xoxox
DonDavisUK
Stop, Stop Marjorie, you’re torturing me now:-) LOL. I’ll just have to try and find some crab. But it’s hard to get really fresh crab here in London. Ahhhhhhh. Don.
Marjorie Wallace replied
My cousin goes with her neighbor and they put out crab traps and bring home these beauties that are fresh on the shell. We were so inspired by all this talk about fresh crab, I was compelled to order Tom Douglas’s book from Amazon called, “I Love Crab Cakes” 50 recipes from chefs and cooks across the country. You would love it!
SandyK
Marjorie this is such beautiful writing, I can just picture it all. Lavender and roses together, a small piece of heaven. I’m so glad I didn’t miss this and that you are having such a good time writing:)
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Sandy. I think I am just getting warmed up on the writing thing. Becoming creative is simply the most rewarding thing in the world for me. So happy to be among so many kindred spirits. Your comments mean so much to me.
Freddy Bland
Wow, Marjie! This is wonderful! You’re an excellent writer. You had me there and I think I can smell the lavendar. How I would love to go there and just plant myself right next to the lavendar. Thank you for sharing this wonderful bit of heaven with all of us!
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Freddy for your sweet words. This is the most devine place in the world and how nice it will be when summer comes round again. This year I hope to be able to spend a few days there and really submerge myself in the community.
Sally Omar
An absolutely beautiful piece!!!!!!!! xoxoxox Def FAV!!!!!!!
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Sally for your sweet words. This means so much to me especialy since you are the Queen of the Pen. Your writing are always so profound and strike a cord in my heart. I will be over soon. xoxox
evemunich
Hi Marjie, thank you so much for the note. Indeed this is a fabulous description of an enchanting place. Your fotos are superb. I love the alternating rows of pink and purple lavender! I have never been to Sequim and, unfortunately, will never get another chance since I moved to Germany many years ago. At least now I have the feeling I have been there – through your writing! Also I was lucky enough to visit Provence, France – ages ago when I was a student. It was truely an exceptional experience.
I have a tiny little bottle of lavender essence and it takes just a drop or two on my wrist to make me feel relaxed and at peace. Sometimes I even drift off to a place like Sequim!
Gotta go now and get a whiff….. ;-) Eve
Marjorie Wallace replied
Oooh, thank you so much Eve. I love the lavender fields and would love to spend more time there and perhaps even write a small book about this heavenly place. Maybe even move there if it allows. I also have a little bottle of lavender oil that I bought when I worked for a compnay called :’Occitane en Provence. I would still be working there if I we had one in the town I live in. Perhaps one day I will be able to travel to the original Provence in France to see how it compares. Can you remember the fragrance that fills the air? I found that the fragrance is only there when it is warm.
Victoria _Ts
Hi Marjie, thank you for sharing your story about this amazing place with us! Provence of America is really interesting and very beautiful place! And I’d like to say to you that you are a very talented writer! Looking forward for the new stories from you)))
(Sorry for my broken English)
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Victoria. I never seem to know what subjuect are going to call to me, but I am working on it. There is nothing like a little stroll through Webshots to give me inspiration…
PamAmos
this would be a heavenly place to visit….........
Pam :)
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Pam. I am glad you liked my little story.
shaneran
I loved this!! I felt like I was beginning a book with all your descriptions of this beautiful place. You are a very talented writer… I’ll have to check out your other writings… I felt like I was able to visit Sequim through your writing! It would be heavenly to really be able to go. Thank you so much for sending me the bubblemail so I could read this. ♥ ~ Jan
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Jan for your sweet comments. I love sharing these mental visions and feel blessed that you felt the same way that I have over this experience in Lavender country.
Cindirelli
You are so very talented, Marjie! With each of your writings the reader feels as though they have taken part in your adventures. I can smell the lavender and I will definately have to try the lavender & white chocolate ice cream~it sounds delicious!! ~:)
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much, Sue. You would love it here at Lavender season.
KathrynG
Lavender and white chocolate ice cream? I can hardly wait until next year. Sequim 2010 or bust! (And I mean during lavender season!)
Marjorie Wallace replied
They actually had five or six different varieties of ice cream with lavender. Each one more delicious than the last. Maybe I will see you next year.
clizzio
You are such a good writer. It makes me want to hop on a plane and visit. You should work for the tourist department
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much for your nice comments. Perhaps one day we will see you therel. :~))
starBellyDesign
This has been featured in Welcome to Washington
Congrats :0)
Marjorie Wallace replied
Thank you so much for this honor. I am so happy for visiting this place in northern Washington was pure magic. I so appreciate being in the spotlight! ~Marjorie
Marjorie Wallace 21 days ago
AnnDixon 4 days ago
This is a fantastic Marjie, I am sorry it has taken me so long to take a look, I hope you are well, I am busy sorting my pictures I took on the vacation, take care Ann
Marjorie Wallace replied 4 days ago
Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad you like this. I am finding enormous pleasure in expressing myself with little writings. I am looking forward to seeing more of your works from your vacation. Hopefully we will have a chance to meet one day soon when one of us is traveling into each other’s part of the world. So sorry I missed this chance.