SKAGIT VALLEY ATTRACTIONS / APRIL TULIP FESTIVAL Skagit County is internationally known to artists and photographers for its magical landscapes and the annual April Tulip Festival. Located just off I-5 highway, the city of Mount Vernon is a convenient home-base for travelers who want to explore. Day trips can be made to Seattle (60 miles to the south), San Juan Islands (to the west), Cascade Mountains/Mount Baker recreation (to the east) or Bellingham (home of WWU) and Vancouver, Canada (90 miles to the north). Five Cedars Retreat is 7 miles (travel by car or bike) from the Skagit tulip farms on the west side of the city of Mount Vernon. Your host can provide travel advice. Staying in Mount Vernon gives you the opportunity to see the tulips during sunrise and sunset when fewer tourists are present. YOUR HOME-BASE Five Cedars Retreat is an inviting, one-bedroom apartment nestled in the daylight basement level of a 1950's Cape Cod house. Your first impression will be the sight of five old cedar trees sheltering a cheerful blue house with a red door. The host lives in the house on the upper floors. You will have an assigned parking space and your own private entrance door into the apartment. This apartment is not handicapped-accessible because it has a gravel driveway and two steps within the apartment. Note- This basement level apartment has low ceilings- 6 ft 8 in (198 centimeters) in the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. The bathroom ceiling is 6 ft (182 centimeters). If you have sporting equipment such as a bike, ask the host about the availability of inside storage. YOUR COMFORT AT FIVE CEDARS RETREAT The quiet apartment has a view of a patio, trees and a garden. Nature lovers enjoy watching for the city deer, rabbits and owls. The colors and décor of Five Cedars Retreat are inspired by mid-century design and art by local artists. • Large closets in living room and bedroom. • Living room has a sleeper sofa with full-sized mattress with cooling memory foam, and Supima cotton sheets. • Bedroom has a maple wood, low platform bed with headboard, queen-sized wool mattress, and Supima cotton sheets. • Bathroom has single sink vanity, extending massage shower head, plush white Turkish cotton towels. • Full-sized, front-loading HE washer and clothes dryer within the apartment. • Individual thermostats for electrical panel heaters at ceiling. • Wireless Ziply fiber internet provided, no charge for guests. Bring your own devices. No TV or cable. FOOD OPTIONS Skagit County area offers a wealth of farm-fresh local food. Dine at a local restaurant, or shop for organic produce at Skagit Valley Food Co-op or the seasonal Mount Vernon Farmers Market (May-Sept). You can prepare your produce in the apartment's kitchenette with its mini refrigerator/freezer, microwave, toaster oven, electric kettle, and induction hotplate. Induction-safe cookware, kitchen tools, and tableware are provided. PUBLIC TRANSIT OPTIONS If you prefer to leave your car parked at the apartment while you take public transit, a local Skagit County bus stop is two blocks away. OUR VISION Breathe deeply, relax and enjoy your stay under the shelter of trees at Five Cedars Retreat. Five Cedars Retreat encourages guests of all races, genders and languages to create their own “Magic Skagit”.