Leavenworth

Since we've moved here I've wanted to go to Leavenworth, about a 4.5 hour drive from our house. But you know how things go - and we just never got there. This year for our birthdays we made actually plans and I rented a tiny house cabin. Leavenworth is pretty interesting, when it was settled it was supported by the fur and timber industry, logging and sawmills. But then the railroad re-routed it's lines and in the 30s the town started dying, limping along for the next 30 years. In the 60's because of the beautiful mountains ranging around the town the town leaders came up with the idea to turn it into a German bavarian town. They went full out - all the stores were renovated, they had festivals, german food, etc... Downtown is amazing! I was so glad we were finally able to head out.

We usually drop the dogs off at the kennel the day before but I thought we would try dropping them off first, then driving up -  bad move. Had I looked at the map I wouldve realized that we had to drive an hour to the kennel, then an hour BACK, then the 4.5 hour drive to Leavenworth adding so much time to our travels we ended up going via the highway instead of the backroads. But live and learn - the drive on the highway wasn't too bad as we avoided rush hour in Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle so despite the extra time tagged on we made good time. I've always wanted to stay in a tiny home so the cabin was right up my alley! They're pretty new and fairly high end, for two people it wasn't bad. I like to do AirBNB because I don't like to eat out 3 times a day. Breakfast is more fun if you're able to dawdle around. But it was tiny - the only place I could open my suitcase was the living room and I can see that actually living in one storage would be a big drawback. But it was in the woods and about 20 miles outside of town, we were surrounded by trees and they still have snow on the ground despite it being in the 70s that week. 

We did two half days at Leavenworth - it was so worth the drive! The mountain ranges are beautiful and the town is insane - it really does look like you're in the alps. We walked the park abit, the town closes off most of the streets downtown for pedestrian traffic only so you can wander around. We saw so many dogs!! We even ran into a pair of very gracious vizslas and their owner, he had one american bred and the other he got from Hungary -they were so sweet of course. We went to the Nutcracker Museum - 7,000 under one roof - it was interesting how many different kinds there were. I personally find them unattractive but it was interesting. They have tons of shops of course, I bought a decorated wooden egg, a shot glass for Kim, not much. When you move around as much as we have tchotchke kind of loses it's  appeal.For my birthday we went to a fancier restaurant - and it was ok. The beer was great of course, but I've found with  the vegetarian selections it's either something I recognize (beyond burger) or they try to fancy it up with  some very weird sauces and weird vegetables.  All I have to say is thank goodness beer washes away a lot of sins!!

I also found a Safeway grocery store there and we stocked up - the first day we hadn't brought food and stopped at the local convenience store - took a bath on that one. EVERYTHING was 6.99... but a google map search showed where the locals shopped.

The weather was beautiful which I was so glad for - we visited the town, a historic water dam, just pulled over and took pictures. The ride home we had discussed the back roads but you know how it is when you're done with vacation - you just want to get home and empty your suitcase. I had taken an extra day off between work and vacation and was glad I did. We did the  shopping out in Warrenton and then picked up Frick and Frack who were no worse for the wear. We probably pay more than other places but they take such good care of them and we've never had an issue so it's worth the extra drive and money. Hopefully we can get back to Leavenworth in the next year or two, it was more than worth the trip.