Leavenworth, December 2007

We have always talked about going to Leavenworth to see the Christmas Lighting. We had been there several times at different times of the year, but looked forward to experiencing the festivities during the Christmas season. Earlier in the year we had booked a room at the Enzian Inn where I had stayed during a conference in April. Usually you need to book the prior year to be able to get a room, however the Enzian keeps the first 2 weekends in December free for those who stay 3 nights during the year. My conference in April was 3 nights so we were able to book a room at that time.

We didn’t have any trouble on the passes on Friday going over. We went across Snoqualmie, then Blewett Pass. Although there was snow on the mountains the roads were clear. We got to the Enzian in the early afternoon and were able to check in right away. We picked up a schedule for the festivities and headed to town which was across the street. It was in the 20s and I don’t think either one of us was prepared for that. Although we both had warm coats we didn’t have hats. We ended up going into Der Sportsman and I bought a hat and Doug bought earmuffs. We also bought hand warmers to put in our gloves.

Friday evening there was a small ceremony with St. Nick coming to town, and there was music in the Park. It was fun to go through the shops and pick up a few Christmas presents. We ate dinner at Andreas Keller which is a German restaurant in town. Around 7pm we headed back to our hotel. There is a piano in the lobby and a fireplace. Both Friday and Saturday night they have a pianist and people gather and sing Christmas carols. There is warm cider and the hotel sells roasted caramelized almonds and cashews. The lobby smells so good with the cider and the roasted nuts. We enjoyed the fire, and had fun singing carols with the other guests. Afterward I went swimming in the indoor pool. They also have an outdoor pool which was closed, but they have an outdoor hot tub which you can use.

On Saturday we had breakfast in the dining room upstairs, which was included with our stay. They make omelet’s to order and have potatoes, fruit, ham or bacon and all kinds of pastries. As we were dining the owner of the hotel came in and played the alphorn. He or his son does it every day, and it is a town tradition. The hotel has a wrap around balcony and he stands on the balcony ledge and plays the alphorn, then he comes inside a plays a few more songs.

After breakfast we bundled up and headed over to the town for a little more shopping and just enjoying all the festivities. It started to snow a little, but not enough to worry about. We were parked safely in the hotel parking lot. As the day went on more and more people started showing up, and the shops began to get crowded. Once the tour buses got into town it was really crowded.

At about 4:30 there were a lot of people and everyone started gathering in the town square. There were choirs singing in the gazebo, kids sledding down the hill, and St Nick walking through the town. At about 5:30 as it was getting dark (and cold) and snowing more, they finally did the countdown to turn on the lights of the town. It started with the trees in the Park, then suddenly all the town lit up. It was exciting and magical. Afterward we headed over to Kristall’s for dinner, before heading back to the hotel for the evening of Christmas carols (and more nuts and cider). Doug decided to go in the hot tub outside, even though it was snowing heavily by then.

We woke up in the morning to at least a foot of new snow. We checked at the front desk about the passes and were told that Snoqualmie was closed off and on for avalanche control, and Stevens had chains required. We were quite concerned but we were able to purchase chains and start our journey home. We decided to go via Stevens Pass and although it was snowing most of the way, we didn’t have any trouble. We decided that maybe we would take the train next year. We were able to book the hotel again for next year while we were there.