We woke up to a soggy morning but that wouldn't dampin our spirits as we sought the warmth of familiar smiles.
The tour started out on wet surfaces but was no match for the sun and we let our stallions stretch their legs as we hit the open road into the mountains.
Along the way someone broke off for a short break. Not wanting to lose anybody, we pulled to the side of the road to wait for them. It turned out to be a good time for pictures too.
Back on the road... What a view. Oh ya, and the landscape was pretty too.
Ahh, we made it.
If you have to stare at the back of one car for hours at a time, this one isn't a bad pick.
The small cozy streets gave Leavenworth an almost authentic european feel.
While we probably could have found parking throughout the downtown area.... we're in bimmers, so we had to find stops as far away from everyone else as possible.
We all gathered across the street....
Because as usual... we were waiting for someone :-)
Leavenworth just is a neat little town.
Ahhh... Lunch as Gustov's
What a great location.
L-R: Jonathan, Dan, and Vicki
L-R: Carol, Stephanie, Yuri, Cliff, Ruth, and Gordon
L-R: Steve with the Lieca, Larry, and Matthew
Lunch was surrounding with beautiful views of the mountains.
and rivers
What would Leavenworth be without a stop in the candy store!
Toyo, Dave, and Jonathan.
Fresh fudge in the making.
Great form of transportation. 60 miles to the bail!
An old fart?
No way! Our own action hero Larry
Matthew, let me guess what is on your mind.
Back Row L-R: Jonathan, Vicki, Carol, Gordon, Matthew A, Roni, Stephanie, Yuri Front Row L-R: Dan, Steve, Larry, Matthew M, Dave, Toyo Missing: Cliff, Ruth, Darrin, Michelle, Kallie, Kira, Christopher, and John
Looking down the main street in Leavenworth.
Looking down the main street in Leavenworth.
We were surrounded by some of the most delicious treats this side of heaven. Samples galore.
The plant was not in production but they were generous enough to grant us our request to tour the facility.
Kelsy Sha was kind enough to be our tour guide.
Brief instructions before entering...
as the group anticipated this special treat.
Leave it to Matthew to put his hat on upside down!
Kelsy explained how the ingredients are placed in these vats for cooking.
When it is done cooking it is pored into the small "wagon" on the floor and rolled to the next station.
This piece of equipment cuts the slabs into the right portion sizes
Packaging equipment.
Now that the tour is over we get another chance to load up on sweets before departing.
As we leave we pass through the heart of cashmere...
and cross the Wenatchee River on our way out to Easy Street in Wenatchee.
Rare and in use, a water wheel.
Easy Street was full of green orchards.
Notice the brown tundra? Very common in this area yet...
less than 5 minutes down the road it turns back to lushes green.
We stopped at Smallwood's Harvest in Peshastin on the way back to Leavenworth.
Though a "Fruit Stand" they sold and offered a wide variety of things.
Jeremy wanted to try a corn maze.
We ran into a lot of these dead ends!
They even had a petting farm!
Pretty fancy for a fruit stand. They even had soaps, crafts, and wine to name a few items.
Yes, it still runs!
I tried to get Roni in the pic but she refused to go near the pig.
Back on the road we headed West on Hwy 2 towards Monroe.
The mountain roads were beautiful.
The rivers...
and lakes along the road were breath taking.
A bridge to cross not to far from our final destination of dinner in Monroe.
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