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Brian-Munoz
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Alphorn - Krueger Guenter
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Brian Munoz
1 of 5 images for (All 5 for $1000.00) Purchased from Brian 1/2011.
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Reed Carlson
Story By Rhona Baron
Wouldn’t it be nice, every once in a while, to turn your RV into an amphibious/airborne all terrain adventure vehicle? You might decide to tour the Alps or pull up at a German Ratskeller in the center of Europe. Imagine landing your RV in a well-appointed park, taking an afternoon stroll through a quaint village then savoring a delicious dinner paired with local brew. When the next morning dawns fair and bright (naturally), you set off to explore fresh sights, friendly people and a fascinating culture.
Sound like an impossible dream? Not this RV season. In the twinkle of a short drive from almost anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, a European style adventure can be had in the heart of Washington State. Leavenworth, Washington’s Bavarian Village offers travelers the charming essence of Bavarian Germany.
Continuing a transformation begun over half a century ago from tiny mining town to global tourist destination, Leavenworth is nestled into the eastern face of the Cascades. With two hundred days of annual sunshine, the surrounding geography resembles Germany’s Bavarian Forest and the German Alps. The village mirrors the landscapes’ European flair by featuring Bavarian motifs, architecture, goods, food and drink. A cobbled square with gazebo and three story “Maipole” invites visitors and dancers to gather for rites of spring in the village core.
Each season is unique. In April, the hillsides open from under snow with swathes of delicate wildflowers and the village comes alive with the colors, sights, tastes and smells of the old world. Take a morning stroll through River Front Park or a mountain bike ride on Ski Hill Trail. Relax in a cafe or wine bar. Travelers can shop, discover Bavarian culture or just sit back and absorb the ambiance.
Weekend festivals in the spring include Taste of Leavenworth featuring the culinary inspiration of pears, Maifest, Spring Bird Fest, Ale Fest and a Film Fest. By day enjoy adventures like white water rafting or horse carriage rides. By night, check out concerts, lectures or lively music. Time spent in the Bavarian village in spring is a tonic.
If you plan your Bavarian escape for summer you will encounter the village in rollicking, full swing. Strains of musical theater, beach sand under bare toes, hiking boots on the trail, the tang of spicy mustard over German pretzels mingle with families, international visitors, couples, singles and tour groups.
Visitors catch river floats, art in the park, spectacular hikes, outdoor sausage gardens and live entertainment throughout the valley. Leavenworth Summer Theater is in session, with offerings of musical theater performed under the stars. The hills are alive with the Sound Of Music. Literally.
When fall moves into the valley the air turns crisp and the Farmer’s Market fills with harvest. Autumn is a time to embrace all things culinary with festivals from Wine Walk Weekends to October Fest. It’s the ideal time to get up into the high country to pick wild blueberries beside an alpine lake, or gather around river rock hearths over steins of local ale.
Starting in September, the Vine Maples turn to the colour of flames, burning up ridges and across the valley floor. The drive from Vancouver along Highway 2 is spectacular (and you access Leavenworth from the same highway from Alberta through Spokane – Ed). If you end the journey on the weekend of Autumn Leaf Festival you’ll enjoy the biggest parade of the year with royal floats from around the region.
Nationally, Leavenworth is frequently cited as America’s favourite Christmas town. The combination of snowy peaks encircling a twinkly snow globe of a community is a movie set for capturing memories. For three weekends in December, Christmas Lighting Festivals draw tens of thousands of visitors who pack the town square at twilight to count the village down to illumination. Ten, nine, eight...three two one! Over half a million colored bulbs wink to life above a cheering crowd.
The winter season also offers cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, tubing and downhill stay and ski packages with nearby Steven’s Pass. All the icy fun is available as soon as the snow flies. With Ice Fest in January and Wine and Chocolate Weekend in February, the chilly season draws visitors to winter adventures and their antidote, cozy hearths, cafes, shops, wineries and warmth.
Each season in Leavenworth has its own magic, but some of the area’s charms are present no matter when you visit. Village shops, run by an eclectic mix of international retailers and artisans with items that appeal to visitors of all ages, are scattered through downtown. Visitors can experience award-winning restaurants, hand cured meats, a gingerbread factory - just some of the options you’ll find in a village packed with quality eateries.
In addition, Leavenworth has become home to almost two dozen wine tasting shops. Local wineries perched on hills or situated in the valley bottom add interest to the landscape. Any time of year travelers can stroll town to sample first rate wines or drive to outlying areas to tour vineyards.
There are five official RV Parks and camping sites in the Leavenworth area. Destinations include Thousand Trails, Pine Village KOA, Icicle River RV Resort, Alpine View RV Park and Campground and Blu-Shastin RV Resort. In addition, National Forest lands offer many more beautiful campground sites for travelers. For an overview of options, the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce has information.
Readily accessible from anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, Leavenworth, Washington’s Bavarian Village, makes a great destination for RV travelers and sun lovers. Filled with culture and outdoor splendor, the Bavarian Village is brimming with the magic of European travel without adding wings or fins to your home on wheels.