Last year when we went to Leavenworth for the annual tree lighting we booked again for this year. We planned to stay two nights at the Enzian Inn the weekend of December 4th and 5th. We left about 9:30 or so and stopped on the summit for a late breakfast. We arrived in town around 1pm. The roads were clear and bare, not at all like the last two years when we had so much snow. Both Snoqualmie and Blewett passes were fine and once we got to Leavenworth they didn’t have any snow either. The Enzian Inn is on the main highway, right across from the main part of town. Once we got things settled in our room, we bundled up to go over to the village shops. We browsed for a few hours then watched some of the festivities in the Park. St Nick comes to town, there are choirs singing, and usually other entertainment. There were not a lot of people yet, but from experience we knew there would be a lot the next day. After awhile we stopped at Ducks and Drakes for a bite to eat, and then went back to our hotel. Once again there was a piano player and they played and sang Christmas carols. The hotel is so festive with their tree, the apple cider smell and the roasted almonds and pecans. I went swimming for awhile and we turned in early. 
On Saturday we got up and had a nice breakfast, which comes with the room. During breakfast the owner of the hotel played the alphorn, which is a daily tradition. After breakfast we had booked a sleigh ride, however, there was no snow! No problem, they also offer carriage rides so that is what we did instead. Even though it wasn’t snowing, it was still cold so we bundled up and they had wool blankets for us. They took us through the fields on an hour ride. Afterward we had hot cocoa and cookies in the tent. There were quite a few people there and no one seemed disappointed that there wasn’t any snow. 
We headed back to town and over to the village. More and more people were starting to come. Since this is a festive town at this time of year there are tour buses that bring people in just for the 5 hrs or so of festivities. During this time you cannot even get into some of the shops! We browsed around for awhile then at about 4:30 we joined others in the main plaza for the entertainment. Several choirs sang carols, the town officials addressed the crowd, and the count down began for the lights to come on. It started to snow just as they were getting ready to turn the lights on. All of a sudden the lights of the whole town came on beginning with the trees, then the village storefronts. It was fun to see, and really has a way of getting you in the Christmas spirit. After the lighting we went to the Soup Cellar for an early dinner. We had never been there but it was really good. After dinner we took our time and walked back to our hotel for another restful evening of swimming, and relaxing. In the morning there was 3-4 inches of fresh snow, but the hotel staff indicated that the passes were clear and dry. We had chains with us just in case.
We left the area about 11:00 and were home by 1:30 or so. We booked again for next year, but we are both thinking we might pass on it. There is only so much you can see, and 3 years in a row now should be enough for awhile. Of course, we may change our mind next year. To see more pictures click below:
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