Cashmere - or, Aplets & Cotlets

Cashmere is a cute little town, with a huge claim to fame - aplets and cotlets!! I know that most of us remember eating these little confections as children - it seems like they came in the assortments of dried fruit that came around Christmas time.

There are two roads into town - one is called Aplet Rd. and yes, the other is called Cotlet Rd. The factory that makes these and many other flavors of "lets" is there - Liberty Orchards, which was founded in 1920 by two Armenian immigrants. We took a tour, of course, and came out with boxes of these confections.

We also visited some of the little shops in town.

The Wenatchee valley area is one of the largest apple growing regions in the world, and the Tree Top Apple Juice factory is there.



This is the local drug store, complete with a soda counter - remember those?


Hee's the Liberty Orchard factory where Aplets and Cotlets are made

Here we are, touring the factory.

Our knowledgeable tour guide

More assembly lines. There was enough powdered sugar on that floor to coat a ton of donuts!

Ohme Gardens

The nice person at the Enzian Inn who checked us in recommended some sites around the Leavenworth area. One of the things she recommended was the Ohme gardens. Never being ones to pass up a garden, we headed off on Thursday morning to Wentachee to tour the garden. I neglected to mention in my post on Leavenworth that it's quite HOT there - the temps were above 90 both days, so we decided that a morning garden ramble would be best.



Herman Ohme and his wife, Ruth, had 40 acres of land, which included a craggy, dry, desolate, rock-strewn bluff with a breath-taking view of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains and the Wentachee Valley. They decided to create a garden of florishing alpine meadows, pools, and shady evergreen pathways. They begain to create that garden. Small evergreens were transplanted, native stone was hauled to form paths and borders, low-growing ground cover was planted, and pools were created next to massive natural rock formations. It was hard work, done mostly by hand over a 42 year period, when Mr. Ohme died. His son maintained the gardens till 1991, at which time they were given to Chelan County.



These gardens are indeed built on craggy hillsides, and are not accessible for strollers or wheel chairs, which is too bad, but it would destroy the gardens to make them accessible. We walked up and down many, many stone steps, but it was absolutely worth it - beautiful and peaceful, as only gardens can be.

Starting off - you can see the stone steps leading up the hill.

There were lots of stone benches all throughout the gardens, for sitting and enjoying the scenery.

Here's a view from one of the lookout spots. Sadly, today you see lots of industry, but you can imagine what the Ohme's must have seen. From this spot, you are looking at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers.

One of the many ponds, along the rocky walkway.

You can see a lookout to the right of the picture.

A cooling waterfall.

And a pond, with water falling into it.

Another beautiful shot

You can see the Alpine feel of this place

Another rock sitting place.

We had a great time here! We saw pictures of the gardens in springtime, when all of the spring flowers were in bloom, and we would love to see it then, as well.

On the way we passed through a little town called Cashmere - I could just visualize some pioneer naming the town that because his wife was pining for cashmere that she could no longer get! We decided to stop there on our way back through Leavenworth and back to Val and Daves.

Leavenworth

On Wednesday we loaded up the car and headed off on a side trip to Leavenworth and environs. Cathi and Don had visited Leavenworth many years ago, and told us how great it was, Val and Dave had been through there and agreed, and we had seen a special on TV showing the 10 top places to celebrate Christmas, and Leavenworth was near the top of the list.

This little town was a booming metropolis in 1892 when the Great Northern Railway Company began building the first route across Stevens Pass. The railroad was completed in 1983, and was the valley's first connection to the west coast and everything east. Timber and mining were also major industries, as gold had been discovered in 1860. However, 1925, the GNRC relocated it's headquarters to Wenatchee and moved it's tracks away from Tumwater Canyon. The sawmill closed a year later. For the next 30 years, the town of Leavenworth slowly declined. The main draw during this time was the skiing in the winter. But by the 50's, it was clear that outdoor recreation was not enough to sustain the town - businesses were failing, Leavenworth was dubbed a welfare town, and jobs were hard to come by.

A group of residents banded together, determined to find a way to end the 30 year depression and keep Leavenworth alive. They looked to the Alpine mountains for inspiration. The Alpine theme was introduced in 1960, and all new construction took on a Swiss Alpine style. By 1968, 14 buildings had been remodeled. The Christmas celebrations that the town had always enjoyed grew in popularity and attracted visitors from all over.

Today, Leavenworth boasts 16 festivals, summer theater, art shows and outdoor recreation events year round, that keep visitors coming back year after year.

The town is proud of the fact that they were able to accomplish the reclaiming of their town on their own, with concensus, and with no government assistance of any kind.

We would definitely recommend a visit to this delightful area!




Here's one of the main streets - there are 3 - with an authentic beer garden on the right that serves German beer and all kinds of brats and sausages. Needless to say, we enjoyed a cold beer there!
This is inside the beer garden. Leavenworth is in the mountains, and has a short but intensive growing season - there were flowers EVERYWHERE!

Another shot inside the beer garden

Danish bakery - note the pretzels decorating the outside of the shop

Here's a close-up.

Here's the town's May Pole, where they celebrate May Day each year.

This picture shows the Alpine-like mountains

Another shot of this adorable little town. Lee said that it looks just like some little villages he's seen in Switzerland, so it's pretty authentic.

This is a lighted walkway into lots of little shops.

More architecture.

More mountain scenery

And more

We ate dinner Wednesday night at a German restaurant (of course!) called Andreas Keller, which had an authentic German menu, as well as pretty authentic decor, as you can see from our "barrel" booth. I had schnitzel and Lee had sauerkraut, German potato salad, and sausage. We were serenaded with accordian music, as well. It was a hoot, dinner was great, and we really enjoyed it!

We stayed at the Enzian Inn, which is located where the GNRC roundhouse had once stood. It was a delightful hotel, with beautifully decorated rooms, music in the evenings, and a full breakfast. A big draw for me was that the owner played the Alpenhorn every morning, serenading his guests. In this shot, he's standing on the balcony ledge on the 4th floor, playing a song - amazing!

Then he brought the Alpenhorn in, and played a song in there. You can see that the horn has little feet at it's base. As he played, he slowly edged toward the kids all gathered there. They weren't too sure about that!

We had a fabulous time in Leavenworth, and they also have wonderful gelatto! The people are so friendly and the town is so engaging, that you could easily spend a week there. They have developed into quite a grape growing region as well, with lots and lots of botique wineries. We didn't even experience any of the parks and hiking trails and other outside activities that they are famous for. The Wenatchee river runs right along this little town - next time!!

Deception Pass

On Saturday we visited Deception Pass! There were 10 of us, in 3 cars: Lisa and Troy in their Mercedes, with Hailey and Morgan; Valarie, Dave and Maxx in the BMW, and Lee and I, Lindsay and Madi, bringing up the rear in the Nissan! :)

We parked before the bridge, and walked across the first half, then under the bridge and back up on the other side. The views were beautiful, and there were lots of boats taking advantage of the calm waters.

After walking back and collecting cars, we continued into Deception Pass State Park, and out to the beach, where we enjoyed the sun, surf, beachcombing (yes, I did find a piece of sea glass!) and a great picnic. Maxx wasn't too sure about that roaring water, and neither was Madi, but Hailey climbed the rock that was calling to her, and we got some great pictures.

After Deception Pass we headed back to Everson, where we "re-ran" the dinner from Friday night, as there was so much food left! We enjoyed another relaxing evening outside, which was followed up with the horseback riding that you saw in the previous post.

On Sunday, Lisa and Troy visited Vancouver, which they had never done before. We hope that they had a great time!

Deception Pass bridge - it was a long way down!

Lindsay and Madi at the overlook at the bridge

One of the many islands in this area - very picturesque!

GG, Grandma, Madi, Lindsay and Morgan

The whole motley crew! Troy, Lisa, Dave, Lindsay, Morgan, Hailey, Val and Madi

Madi was having a great time!

Troy & Lisa, Val and Dave

Madi and Maxx share a moment. - note that Madi has his leash, it's like leading the pony!

Valarie and Madi

Lindsay, Madi, Maxx and Dave

Mommy and Madi

Madi

GG & Papa

Val, Madi, Dave and Lindsay. Morgan, Maxx and Hailey are just to the right.

Val, Madi, Dave and Lindsay

Lisa and Dave

Troy, Lisa, Val and Dave. Madi's hand is in the picture, she wants Grandma to pick her up!

Picnic on the beach! Life is good!

Hailey on the rock, with the sea all around her.

Another wonderful day on this delightful trip!

Everson

We arrived at the Richey's on Saturday afternoon, on a warm, sunshiny day. We spent all afternoon outside. Dave's daughter, Morgan, flew in from Arizona on Saturday, as well. Kelsey was there, and Jake, Lindsay and Madi also came to visit, so it was a great family day!

We planned to spend the week there, although we were going to take Wednesday and Thursday, and make a side-trip to Leavenworth, so you will see pictures of that trip on the next post.

Hailey is taking care of Madi this summer while Lindsay works, so we got to see lots of her, which is great. Like all of the little girls in the family, she thought that Papa was the best, and said "Papa" quite clearly!

We were in Everson for Lee's birthday on the 14th, and also for Val's on the 17th. Val made Lee a carrot cake for his birthday, and we made her a pineapple upside down cake for hers! In fact, we made TWO of them, as the first one refused to rise, and instead, was a pineapple upside down torte! Still quite tasty, though.

On the 17th, Val's birthday, Dave's sister Lisa and her husband, Troy came for a visit. They live in Albuquerque, and had not been to Everson since Val and Dave's wedding, which was 5 years ago. We barbequed and all enjoyed Val and Dave's new outdoor dining room table and chairs.

On Saturday, we all headed for Deception Pass, one of the most visited sites in Washington. A post of that trip will follow as well. On Sunday we packed up and headed off to Aldergrove, BC. Following is an assortment of pictures from our great week with Val, Dave, Lindsay, Kelsey, Hailey, Morgan, Madi and Jake!

Here is Miss Madilyn in the Hawaiian dress that her Papa and I got for all the little girls while we were in Hawaii. Isn't she adorable?

Madi and her Grandma

Madi, Grandma, and the mini pony. Madi likes to lead the ponies, with her Grandma's help, but was less sure about riding her.

This is much better! Grandma carrying Madi, who is leading the pony.

And here's the new baby of the family, Maxx, with his Daddy, Dave! Maxx was Dave's father's day gift!

Dave on Annie, warming her up, or, wearing her out, so that I could ride her.

Morgan with Annie.

Here I am, on Annie! It's been decades since I've been on a horse, but I'm happy to report that I was able to get my posterior up on her, without assistance! :). Giddyap, Annie!

Me and Annie, posing for the camera.

Madi and GG, watching Morgan ride Annie. Morgan put her through her paces, and said that Annie was really an easy horse to ride.

Then Madi got brave, and sat on Annie with Grandma. She was quite tickled with the experience, and is pointing at Annie.

Hailey and Morgan at the computer, playing hour after hour after hour of World of Warcraft and IMing with friends.

Grandma and a very happy Madi!

Here's Dave at their new outdoor dining set! It was great!

Papa and GG with wine and salads. Life is good!!

Madi's "morning hair". Her Grandma says that she looks like "cousin It"!

Here's Maxx, naping with the blanket that I knitted for him. Unlike the Corgi's and Rylie, Maxx has short hair and gets cold easily. He liked cuddling with his blanket.

Grandpa and Madi. Note that Madi has Grandpa's phone, and is having a pretend conversation with her Daddy.

Grandpa and Madi. Dave was laughing at something that Troy said. Madi was still pushing buttons, trying to call China.

It was a great evening, and so much fun to be able to spend time with everyone! We're liking this retirement thing, and we're liking this road trip thing, too!