Gumbo was visiting the small town of Leavenworth (population ~ 2000) in Washington state. Leavenworth is situated on the eastern slopes of the Cascade mountains only a few hours drive from Seattle. Gumbo has only visited this town once, and that during the spring, so all the photos you see have snow in them (it likely is much nicer in the summer). Lynn Miller correctly and quickly identified the town — congratulations!
The above photo of the Bavarian-themed town was taken by Front street, which features the Maypole (Maibaum). The town fathers, looking for a “gimmick” to draw visitors to their town, came on the Bavarian village theme after drawing inspiration from a visit to Solvang, California. There are many shops and restaurants on Front street, almost all with a half-timbered facade.
While a fairly small town, Leavenworth justifiably prides itself on being a place with lots to do, especially in the outdoors. There are hundreds of miles of trails near the town, popular with hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The rivers are good for trout fishing and white-water rafting, and the mountains afford excellent climbing opportunities. Bird-watching (lots of bald eagles and osprey), camping and golf are also very popular in the summer. In the winter you’ve opportunity for snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing and snow machining (ski-dooing).
The town sits near a large fruit growing area so during the right season you can find fresh ripe cherries, pears, apples, apricots and much more. You can enjoy this rich harvest by stopping at one of many farm produce stands or at the farmer’s market. A number of vineyards have sprung up nearby over recent years and wine-tasting is becoming increasingly popular.
Leavenworth is a popular weekend getaway destination for folks that live in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a good place for family vacations in the summer because of all its outdoor activities.
