BAVARIAN LEAVENWORTH EXPEDITION!

On a recent trip Out West, I finally had the opportunity to visit a place that has been "on my radar" for several years.  Leavenworth, Washington, is a Bavarian-styled village in the Cascade Mountains, in central Washington State.

I first read about it when I looked at a website that shows the top festivals in the USA.  As you can imagine in a town famous for its festivals, the most popular street area/city park  is usually closed off to vehicle traffic during weekend festivals. (In the town of Leavenworth, it is Front Street that gets closed off to vehicles and parking.) Such was the occasion, when I arrived on Friday the thirteenth of May, in 2022, in a rainy downpour, with the annual Maifest on the Leavenworth events calendar.

Even on non-festival days, I had read that finding parking can be a challenge in the little village.  However, I kept driving around the streets that allowed cars, until I found an open parking space.  It had a meter with it, but that did not deter me, since I was raised in the town where the original Duncan parking meter was manufactured.  However, parking meters have changed substantially, since the days of their receiving, nickels, dimes, and quarters!  These parking meters took credit cards, which again did not deter me, since I had two different kinds available to use.  Sadly, I could not get either card to work, and neither could the couple trying to use the parking meter adjacent to mine. They said they would inquire at the establishment directly in front of us for assistance, and I said I would inquire at the establishment across the street for assistance with the meters.

Going across the street, I entered The Obertal Inn (www.obertal.com).  The personnel inside the Obertal Inn had some suggestions to resolve the parking meter issues, and they were very friendly; so, I decided as long as I was in the lobby, I would inquire about their room availability, since their rooms included a free parking space, and they were located just a block from Front Street. 

The price seemed reasonable, so I booked a room, and I was not disappointed!  It was newly remodeled, with new flooring, a fireplace, lap desk, microwave, refrigerator, and most importantly---a stocked coffee service!

The bedside table also had a rechareable, battery operated flashlight built into its front!  This was an amenity I had never seen in any hotel!

As soon as I could, I gathered the raingear I needed for protecting my electronics and clothing from the moisture, and headed out the door to do some photography!  I kept reminding myself of the photography instructors I have studied under over the years, that say gray skies are better for photographs because they reduce the stark shadows caused by bright sunlight.  (Also, wet streets can produce some interesting reflections.) 

In the center of Front Street, there was a blue and white striped maypole, as well as a taller, more permanent-looking maypole in the market area:

Maypoles have been erected for centuries in various European folk festivals, and are used as the centerpiece for a maypole dance, with each participant holding on to one of the long streamers,  hanging from the top.  Their use in Maifest activities were to be a sign that the happy season of warmth and comfort had returned. 

For those who had rather do indoor activities when it is raining, Leavenworth has a Nutcracker Museum!   It contains hundreds of nutcrackers, some of them centuries old!

 

There is also a nutcracker statue in the main city square:

 

While I was taking photos in the main city square, I noticed a tourist with a selfie stick and iphone getting a video, so I asked him if he would take my photo, with my signature gesture to show gratitude to God.  He seemed happy to oblige, and told me he was very interested in the Old World-style architecture, because he was from a German-themed town in another state---Frankenmuth, Michigan.  I told him I had fond memories of my visit to his town!

No need for sun umbrellas to be open on May 13, 2022!

Leavenworth, Washington is a popular site for rock climbers, and mountaineers (both of which my son enjoys), so I felt compelled to take a photo of this rock climbing mural that was on the front of one of the buildings:

In order to get a respite from the showers, I dashed into the bookstore  (along with many others) to peruse the printed materials available.   They had the usual items carried by bookstores, including books about the local area.  The book shown calling Leavenworth a "miracle town", is accurate, when you learn about this area's economic history.  There is also a video, called "Miracle Town: The Movie---The True Story of a Little Town That Refused to Die".

In the bookstore, I read about the river walking path and went to look for it.  Leavenworth is located on the Wenatchee River, and this riverside location, nestled between steep, tree-covered slopes, made it an ideal area for cutting down timber, sliding it down the hill and into the river, where it floated to lumber markets throughout the area, back in the olden days.   However, when the train that serviced the area rerouted closer to the town of Wenatchee (about 25 miles away), it initiated an economic decline for the small community of Leavenworth. 

By the 1950's, Leavenworth was almost a ghost town.  However, in the 1960's one of the local business owners made a visit to the Danish-themed town of Solvang, California.  Seeing the Solvang success,  and envisioning a Bavarian-style theme for their village of Leavenworth, (especially since it was surrounded by the Cascade Mountains that reminded people of the Alps), they remodeled their establishment to reflect a Bavarian theme.  Gradually other businesses did the same., even a few nation-wide franchises!  It is not often that a big franchise like Starbucks, will forego their familiar, easily-recognized logo, to facilitate a sign with Bavarian font!  No green and white mermaids on this Starbucks!  Rather, characters dressed in traditional clothing of the Alps!

When I got hungry around suppertime, I picked up  a salad, and went back to my room to put my legs up for a while and rest.!  In the meantime, I could see from my hotel room, that  the rain had stopped, and there was even a little blue sky peaking through!

Having been an Instagram follower of Bavarian Leavenworth for quite some time, I knew I wanted to return at twilight to do some photography, because so many of the stores have special lighting that highlights their architecture. 

The gazebo is shown in many of the Instagram posts, especially the photos taken during the Christmas holiday season.  And, rightly so, as it is a pleasing focal point, any time of the year!

The photo below shows a  different view of the gazebo, taken from the street above the park. If you would like to know about the numerous special events that take place in this park, visit the town's website at www.Leavenworth.org

The photo below that shows the snow-peaked mountains in the background exemplifies why a Bavarian theme seemed appropriate for Leavenworth. 

Twinkle lights in May, on an Alpine-style building.

Old world architecture, sometimes called "Elizabethan" is evident throughout the town.  The Elizabethan,  black and white, half-timbered style of  buildings are prominent along Front Street.

After the two camera batteries I had both ran out of power, I decided it was time to go back to my room, and recharge both my electronics and my body!

The next day the sun was out, the flags were flying, my body and electronics were recharged, and I was ready to continue my expedition in Washington State!

The historic St. Joseph Catholic Church was located very close to my hotel.  It was built in 1902, but not in this location, having been moved here in 1992.  Catholic churches are often associated with a "place of refuge", and this one is still being used as a refuge, albeit, a lodging refuge.  Visit the website www.pensionanna.com for information on overnight stays in this historic church building---(I am thinking sleeping there would be "heavenly"!)

The mural painted on the wall of St. Joseph Church, depicts Saint Joseph (father of our LORD Jesus), holding the infant.  So, I am using this painting as my visual aid for a First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) Bible memory verse that tells me how I am asked to love my LORD: "Love the LORD your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."  Deuteronomy 6:5

This trip to Bavarian Leavenworth in Washington State was good for my heart, soul, and strength, by giving me MILES OF SMILES!  Tricia