Windmills and tulips

Amsterdam is such a delightful city, but we knew we wanted to spend some time out in the country while we were in the Netherlands. We had timed our trip just perfectly so we were able to see all the tulips in bloom, but I also had been dreaming about visiting a Dutch windmill. Windmills are the most famous Dutch icon and I was eager to see them in person.

On our day trip to the countryside we were able to explore a working windmill. This particular windmill was crushing pigments to make paint while another one nearby was grinding spices. Standing on the deck of a windmill is something everyone should experience once in their life. 

Windmills and tulips, you cannot get more Dutch than that. 

It came as no surprise it was very windy in the Netherlands. My hair was constantly flying about as I sort of gave up trying to restrain it. 

There are currently thousands of windmills in the Netherlands, but there used to be so many more than that. 

Seeing these baby lambs were a highlight of the day. Everyone was gathering around taking photographs of them like they were rock stars. It was awesome!!

I think they were going for the weathered look. 

After the windmills, we went and toured both a cheese and a wooden shoe factory. I was tempted to buy some wooden shoes (I know, the most cliche souvenir ever), but they simply were not very comfortable to walk around in and I decided I would probably never wear them again.