Last week Mr. U and I took a micro trip over to Leavenworth, Washington. Nothing quite gets you into the Christmas spirit like a visit to this little town. Leavenworth is a Bavarian village tucked into the Cascade Mountains. All of the buildings are Alpine style, and the entire downtown is decorated with Christmas lights. There is an abundance of delicious German food and draft beer. We picked up a few last-minute Christmas gifts, ate some brats (with over ten different mustards to pick from), and took some time to relax and take in the beauty of the season before the Christmas festivities began. While we did not do it on this short trip, you can take a horse drawn carriage ride through town, go on a sleigh ride through the forest, or visit a Reindeer Farm. Being there takes you away to a different place and time. Travel and Leasure even listed this little village in their 25 best Christmas towns in the U.S.
(We weren’t crazy about the roasted chestnuts though.)
Leavenworth is especially festive at Christmas, but it can be fun any time of the year. The Wenatchee River flows through it, so there are plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, such as rafting, kayaking and river tubing. There is also some great hiking, and it has ski areas and wineries nearby. Something for everyone. If you go there in the summer, you simply must get tickets to the outdoor production of The Sound of Music. It is put on every year by the Leavenworth Summer Theater and was featured in The Washington Post. It is a magical performance out under the stars and truly in the hills. Of course, in the fall they have the tapping of the keg to begin Octoberfest. I would recommend booking accommodations early on the festive weekends, because they fill up quickly. However, you can always stay in nearby Cashmere or Wenatchee if you do not book a place early enough (like we had to do when we decided on this last-minute micro trip.) If you are ever in the Pacific Northwest, it is definitely worth a brief excursion to the enchanting town of Leavenworth. Particularly during the Christmas season.
However you celebrate the holidays, I hope that you are able to exhale, enjoy some relaxed time with those you love and appreciate this wonderful, precious life.
Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
