Last Saturday we make a little trip to Germany...well, not really, but close. Just one hour north of Ellensburg is a great little town called Leavenworth. Somehow at some point, the city decided that they were going to create a town much like the authentic villages of southern Germany.
From the flower-filled window boxes to street signs in German (with "Strasse" and "Weg" instead of street or way), it truly felt as if we were in Germany.The main reason we went on the day we did was to experience their annual Christmas lighting festival.
After a traditional ceremony complete with "Ricolla!" horn players in Bavarian clothes, various colored and white lights filled the trees, lit up the downtown gazebo and outlined the buildings. It was absolutely magical!
Activities included shopping in the quaint specialty shops, sledding and snowball fights on the hills of the snow play area, eating chestnuts roasted on an open fire (not just a line in a song, they really do it!) and Christmas songs being sung by a live men's quartet.
You could also ride in a horse-drawn carriage through town or drive a few blocks down for a sleigh ride. It was the ultimate Christmas experience!Unfortunately the experience was enhanced by the freezing cold weather. I couldn't feel my feet for most of the evening and poor little Hannah just whined and cried most of the time (we think her feet may have been frozen, too since she finally stopped crying once we got in the car and cranked up the heater). So after visiting an outdoor grill haus, enjoying the best kielbasa I'd ever had (Graham had a good ol' German bratwurst), we headed home.
I couldn't completely feel my feet until we got back to Ellensburg. Come to find out, it was 15 degrees! No wonder!So once the weather gets a bit warmer, we'll visit Leavenworth again and hopefully be able to stay a little longer (or maybe we'll wait until October when Unca Da and Tante go there for Oktoberfest!).
As always, be sure to click on any photos for which you want to see more details!
4 comments:
How fun! I love finding these kinds of towns and experiencing a little international flair. 15 degrees is pretty hard core, though-- I'm impressed you stuck it out as long as you did!
Rozzi, I keep posting a comment and I guess your blog doesn't like me. SOOOOOOOO! the long and short is love the city you all visited and we miss all of you! Loved the email Arnie got the other day. Please give the kids lots of smoochie loves and kisses. Sarah is doing great, looking very pregnant. Love, Bren
What a great opportunity! Sure looks beautiful. We were there in the summer and could only imagine how delightful it would be in the winter. Merry Christmas, Dad Moes
So fun to see Leavenworth. Thanks for the preview. I sent your link to Joan and Paul since they will be coming up with us.
We are off to Bakersfield on Fri, then taking Beth to LAX on Saturday and she's off to Spain with Kira. She wanted to see Nana & Cracker before she takes off.
Have a wonderful snowy Christmas!
Tante
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