My little stuffed cow Lotti, who I adopted in Switzerland last year, was missing her homeland. Since I wasn't able to jump on a plane to Europe and fly for 11 hours, I did the next best thing. I took her to Leavenworth.
We made it!
Leavenworth is a charming, German-themed village in Washington. Located directly east of the Cascade Mountains, the stunning tall peaks framing this town give it an alpine character. My buddy Kim and I had wanted to visit for many years, but somehow never got around to planning a trip. Then last August I stopped for lunch in Leavenworth on my way to Winthrop and North Cascades National Park. Grabbing a bratwurst from a nearby outdoor restaurant, I sent Kim a selfie. My photograph set things into motion - not long after Kim made motel reservations for late October.
Street scenes
All that Bavarian cuteness makes Leavenworth a wildly popular tourist destination, especially during the summer months. But its busiest times are in December for Christmas, and of course early October for Oktoberfest! We didn't know it when Kim made the reservation, but she happened to time our visit in between Oktoberfest and the Christmas season. This happy accident meant we caught the lull between busy times, scoring cheaper accommodations and way less people.
The mountains rise up nearly vertically
When packing for Leavenworth I spotted Lotti sitting on a nearby shelf in my bedroom. Her tiny bovine eyes pleaded with me to take her along. Knowing Lotti was missing her home country, I placed her in my backpack. This German-themed town wasn't quite Switzerland, but it was close enough!
Time to sample the local brew
It's a 5-hour drive from where I live to Leavenworth. Much of the drive is through a very barren part of south central Washington. However I was pleasantly surprised to see the surrounding vegetation in this area decked out in brilliant autumn hues, which made the drive so much better. We summitted Blewett Pass oohing and aahing over the lovely golden larch trees scattered about the forest. And arriving to our destination, I was surprised to see so much of the trees in town still displaying fall finery.
And of course a pretzel to go with it!
After checking into our motel, which was conveniently located right across the street from the main dining and shopping area, Kim and I went in search of some genuine German beer and pretzels. We found both at a local brewery. Lotti approved!
Lotti finds the perfect hat
Hunger abated for the time being, Kim and I then decided to check out some of the souvenir shops. Although chock full of the usual tacky t-shirts and refrigerator magnets, we did discover some tiny Bavarian-themed hats. Just the perfect size for my little cow!
And so did I
I also found an alpine hat that called my name. (But I didn't buy it. I already own way too many hats!)
Beautiful morning walk along the Wenatchee River
After a restful first night in our motel, Kim and I awoke the following morning to lovely, but chilly blue skies. Perusing a map of the town the previous evening, I discovered the Wenatchee River winds its way through the middle of Leavenworth. And better yet, the town had built a trail that followed the river's north shore. After a quick breakfast, Kim and I decided to go check it out.
Fog and fall colors
The river was a mere half mile walk from our accommodations. The trail began at a small parking lot. Kim and I followed a dirt path that look us into a thickly forested area. Tiny glimpses of the Wenatchee River could be spotted through gaps in the trees.
Lots of mountain views
Our timing for fall colors couldn't have been better! Spotting a side trail that took me directly to the river's edge, I came out to a stunning scene. The Wenatchee River was lined with colorful trees, their leaves various shades of yellow, orange, and red. Tall, snow-dusted peaks anchored the skyline.
Perfect selfie opportunity
The scenery was absolutely spectacular! We happened to time our arrival in Leavenworth to coincide with peak fall colors. I couldn't believe our luck.
Lotti playing in the leaves
Lotti was enjoying the fall leaves too.
Stunning fall colors
Kim and I followed the riverside path over a bridge and onto an island. The leaf color show continued and it took me quite awhile to cover any ground, as I was stopping every few steps to take pictures.
Reflections in a puddle
Our glorious path
More riverside color
I loved how some of the foliage colors were reflecting into the river's waters.
Fall colors seemed to be at peak
Kim and I walked by a tiny pond hidden back in the trees. The yellow and red leaf color reflections in its waters were absolutely magical.
This small pond was absolutely stunning
I spotted a little dipper bird on one of the rocks, diving in the water looking for breakfast. In the image below the bird looks like he's standing over a pool of gold.
Golden waters and a dipper bird
Another pond gave me perfect reflections of the nearby trees.
Perfect pond reflections
After spending a good three hours traipsing around the river, our tummies were beginning to grumble. Time to head back into town and find something to eat!
Golden leaves
One can't visit a German-themed town without trying the local bratwurst. Thanks to Google, Kim and I hunted down the highest rated place in town. And if you're eating bratwurst, you have a a beer - it's practically required!
All that walking made us thirsty!
Our beer came in enormous mugs. And believe it or not, this wasn't the largest size they had!
Time for a brew
However, the beer was quite tasty, as was the bratwurst. A great find!
And a bratwurst
Kim and I spent our afternoon roaming around town, checking out all the cute shops. Many of them had beautiful murals painted on the outside of their buildings.
Loved the murals painted on many of the buildings
Many of the shops were quite fun. One bakery specialized in gingerbread. (Of course, I had to buy some!) There were other unique boutiques, many offering clothing, a couple specializing in outdoor sports, one Christmas decorations, another kitchenware, and a pet store with everything you could want for your dog or cat. There was even a local landscape photographer who had set up his own gallery. And his photographs were amazing!
Another view of this charming town
One building had a glockenspiel that put on a show every hour. We finally happened upon it and got to watch the figures twirl around and hear the music play. Kim got a video but I only took photos - and none of them turned out very good. But check out the image below for a photo of the building.
Loved this bright orange tree
There was a huge tree across the street that was a stunning color of orange. I also loved how the mountains rose up behind the downtown area. Such a beautiful setting for a town!
A lady was giving horse drawn carriage rides
During the winter months, I'd heard Leavenworth offered horse-drawn sleigh tours. But in the off-season we discovered they swap the sleigh for a carriage. The lady running the business had her carriage and horse decorated in appropriate fall colors.
There goes the carriage!
Leavenworth also had a nutcracker museum. Not into nutcrackers, Kim and I just window-shopped and moved on.
They had a nutcracker museum (we didn't go inside)
Gotta have a pretzel shop!
However, we did make it a point to stop at all the bakeries! Especially any that sold pretzels.
Another view of my favorite tree
Lotti and I hangin' out with a giant nutcracker
Liked the skiing themed mural on this storefront
One of our favorite shops was a store that sold German-themed festival clothing. They had an entire wall of lederhosen and dirndls, of every color and style.
One shop sold nothing but traditional German clothing
Kim's favorite lederhosen
Lotti found a dirndl that she liked. Unfortunately it was way too big for her little body.
Lotti liked this dirndl
For dinner, Kim and I chose an authentic German restaurant. I wanted to try their beef goulash, so Kim and I split an order. While waiting for our meal, we were entertained by a man playing the accordion not far from our table. The guy was really good, and after he finished each song, we clapped loudly.
It appeared Kim and I were the only ones in the restaurant applauding and watching the accordion player. He seemed to appreciate our attention. There was a large stein of beer on a table next to him, and I was amused when he grabbed the stein with one hand and took a big gulp, while continuing to play his instrument with the other. That man was talented!
The accordion player in a nearby restaurant was fantastic
After fangirling the accordion player for a few songs, Kim and I asked him if we could get a photo. Our waitress was happy to help out. Kim also gave the guy a nice tip.
We split an order of beef goulash
Another advantage to visiting Leavenworth in late October was that the town had begun to hang up their Christmas lights in preparation for the holiday season. Quite a few lights had already been strung into the trees and Kim and I were the happy benefactors. After dark, we took a stroll around the local park and admired all the the pretty decorations.
Christmas lights were being installed
It had been a fun day exploring this charming Bavarian town. Lotti seemed to enjoy herself and appeared to be much happier now. I have a feeling an autumn visit to Leavenworth might become an annual trip for Kim, myself and my little Swiss cow!
(Just a side note: I was sad to hear that Leavenworth and the surrounding areas in Northern Washington were recently affected by last week's torrential atmospheric river. I've heard reports of power outages, flooding, and highway washouts. My heart goes out to everyone in the area that's been affected by this severe weather.)
One day in mid-August I got a call from my neighbor, friend, and photographic mentor Cheri. She's a fantastic wildlife photographer and has taught me everything I know about bird photography. Cheri always has a pulse on where interesting birds can be found. She told me a mother Western grebe with babies had been spotted at a local lake. This water bird is unusual because the mother carries her babies on her back as she swims around. Cheri was planning to visit the lake in hopes of finding the mama grebe and invited me to join her. This sounded like such an adorable sight, of course I jumped at the chance to come along.
Western Grebes carry their babies on their backs
The following morning Cheri and I rose early and picked up a third member of our party, Cheri's good friend (and also amazing photographer) Dotty. We three ladies headed down the freeway, bound for our destination - the Western grebe lake.
"Hello"
After driving for about two hours, Cheri pulled into the large lake and recreation area. The person that had tipped Cheri off about the mother grebe had told her it was "near the marina." But which one? This lake had several. Not knowing which direction to go, Cheri randomly followed the first "marina" sign she came upon. Parking in the nearby lot, we peered over toward a large area with several docks where boats of every shape and size were tied up. Was this the right marina?
Luck was with us that day. Getting out of the car to investigate, we walked towards a spot of open water between the boat dock and shore. Cheri spotted the mother grebe right away.
Snuggle time
No one expected we'd find her so quickly! All three of us ladies hightailed it back to Cheri's car to grab our cameras. Then we lined up along the shore and snapped away.
A mother's love
The Western grebe is a striking bird, with a long, slender, swan-like neck, bright yellow bill, and vivid red eyes. About the size of a small goose, Western grebes have black bodies accented with a white neck and chest. They are diving birds, living in bodies of water and feeding on small fish and amphibians. Their most endearing trait is that the mother will carry her newly-hatched babies around on her back. Western grebes also perform an elaborate courtship ritual, called rushing, where a mating pair will run across the water in unison, wings lifted and heads curved forward.
Mom's two copilots
The mother Western grebe was casually floating around near the moored boats. Two downy, gray babies were sleeping between her back feathers. Such a precious sight just a short distance in front of us! And the early morning light was fantastic. My friends and I moved to a nearby dock to get better light and a closer angle.
Dad brings a fish for junior
The little grebe babies definitely didn't look like newborns. They were quite large and appeared nearly ready to strike out on their own. But they were still small enough to fit on their mama's back - for now.
"More food dad!"
After watching mama grebe float around the dock area, the babies woke up and began to shuffle about. Their tiny faces were absolutely adorable, as were their antics. The siblings pecked at each other and flapped their little wings. Then we noticed the babies started to get even more animated. To our surprise, the father Western grebe popped up from under the water right in front of the mother with a small fish in his beak. The little ones had heard dad coming. It was feeding time!
Cruising around the lake
Oh my gosh, if the grebe with babies on her back wasn't cute enough, now my friends and I were going to witness the youngsters being fed! Both babies strained their necks towards daddy, vying for breakfast. The stronger one reached him first and was able to grab the fish, which was quickly wolfed down.
Dad brings another catch
My friends and I were fortunate enough to watch several iterations of the baby grebes being fed. The father would swim away towards the open waters of the lake, and return a short time later with another fish. One time he brought back a very large fish. One of the babies grabbed it in his beak and tried in vain to swallow it, but this fish was too big for it's throat. I was afraid we'd witness the cute little fluffball choking to death, however at the last minute mama grebe took the fish away from junior and ate it herself.
Which baby will get the fish?
All mothers need a break from their young, so after several feeding sessions, the mother grebe dumped both her babies into the water. Old enough to swim, the little guys headed over to their father, who allowed them to board his back. It was dad's turn to babysit. Mama swam off to enjoy a little bit of free time. However, she didn't go far. Daddy grebe decided to give his kids a tour of the larger lake and started heading towards open water. He was just about past the docks when mama grebe zipped up to him, squawking loudly. The kids promptly jumped off their father's back and onto hers. It appeared mama grebe was scolding her husband for taking the kids out of the safe area. My friends and I guessed the dock area provided more protection for the baby grebes, and the mother was doing what all moms do to protect her offspring.
Down the hatch!
Cheri, Dotty and I spent a solid two hours sitting on the dock watching our new favorite Western grebe family. After awhile, the feedings stopped and papa grebe swam away towards the lake's center. The babies snuggled into their mother's feathers and she tucked her head protectively around them. Then all three grebes drifted off to sleep. Such a sweet sight, it was the perfect ending to a wonderful morning.
Dinner time
My friends and I came away from our morning photo session with thousands of excellent images. Back home, sorting and choosing the very best ones proved to be a monumental task. But I also found it be surprisingly enjoyable - looking through the morning's precious captures made me smile. I learned all about a "new to me" species of bird and have the pictures to prove it.
Huge thanks to Cheri for allowing me to tag along!
