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Spaaaaaahhhh

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

A quiet place at the corner of Commercial and 8th Street in Leavenworth

UPDATE: Solstice Spa is no longer in business.

On a recent trip to Leavenworth I had my first ever spa treatment. My visit to Solstice Spa was a belated birthday gift and a reward for four hard weeks working on a movie set. (If you’ve ever worked full-time on a film set, you know how much I deserved that reward. If you never have, then just take my word for it–it’s harder work than I ever imagined.) I made my appointment for a Dead Sea Mineral & Hot Stone Foot Massage after reading the description: “…Dead Sea mud treatment, hot stone massage and enriched foot cream soothes dry, cracked skin and conditions and restores tired feet and legs.” With the shape my feet were in after a month of being on them for 12-14 hours per day, it sounded like paradise.

We arrived in Leavenworth late one evening and my appointment at the spa was scheduled for the next afternoon. We enjoyed a fun day in Leavenworth, shopping, eating (lunch at SOUTH of course!) and generally relaxing. After a nap back at our hotel room, we headed for the spa on Commercial Street. I realized when we were part-way there that I’d forgotten the discount coupon I’d received by email after signing up for the spa’s email list. Scotte went back for it, but the receptionist assured me that she would have honored it had I just let her know I had it in the room.

Once there I was given comfy spa shoes and a fluffy robe to wear during my stay. I was greeted by my massage therapist, Tammy, who ushered me upstairs to a room with soothing music and lighting. I received a tasty drink of iced raspberry green tea and given a yummy bit of dark chocolate to nibble upon. Tammy donned exfoliating gloves and gave my feet and lower legs a lovely rub down, after covering a broken callus with a bandage. (I told you my feet were in terrible shape!)

A warm water soak was followed by the application of warm mud. Once my feet and legs were covered in mud and wrapped in plastic to hold in the warmth, I read a local magazine while drinking my tea and nibbling at the chocolate.

Another scrub down was followed by a lengthy hot rock massage. It was soothing and relaxing. I could feel the warmth sinking down into my muscles, joints and bones and simply leaned into the scrumptiousness. How does a foot and leg massage make you feel relaxed and healed all over your body?

It was all over far too soon. Next time, I think I’ll schedule a pedicure too. Once back downstairs I spent a little time shopping the boutique while other spa patrons were being waited on. I texted Scotte to let him know I was through and biding my time shopping. I received an urgent text message back, “I’m on my way, your bill is paid. No need to shop!” My lovely husband had already taken care of the bill and arrived quickly, leaving my shopping for another day.

I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at Solstice Spa & Suites and will put it on my list of must do’s in Leavenworth. And I can’t be the only one. Solstice Spa and Suites is the recipient of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award two years running (#7 on the list of top relaxation resorts in the country!) and consistently comes in in the top of the list for Best of the Northwest poll on Seattle’s KING5.

Solstice Spa & Suites offers some delicious relaxation and romance packages including girls’ getaways, romance packages and new, a Brew Lover’s Package that includes a hydro-therapy suite, brew-tastings, locally made gourmet chocolate and beer soap.

For more about spas and other great ways to relax in Leavenworth see our Health and Fitness page. Also check out our Romance page if you’re thinking about visiting Leavenworth for a special anniversary or just a get-away weekend.

I was inspired to share my spa experience with you when reading my friend Kerri’s review blog. In it she reviews a new Dove Hair Care product. There was also a link to a give-away. The prize for that is a gift-certificate for SpaFinder. I entered the contest and I’m getting a second entry for letting you all know about it. Let me know if you win!

What about you? What’s your favorite spa treatment? I’d love to hear about your spa experiences.

Posted in Leavenworth, Romance | Comments Off on Spaaaaaahhhh

This weekend in Leavenworth

Thursday, April 19th, 2012

In Leavenworth, Washington for the weekend? Take a look at some of the events and activities for April 20-22, 2012.

Among Penguins: A Birdman in Antarctica Friday, April 20, 7pm. In the Barn at Barn Beach Reserve. A lively slide-show by Oregon birder and author, 26 year old Noah Strycker.

Leavenworth Ale-Fest Saturday, April 21, 2-10pm. Leavenworth Fest Halle. Beer tasting with beers from 20 micro-breweries. $25 admission at the door. Admission is free for active duty military. 21 and over only. Benefiting the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. “An Ale of a Party!”

Weddings and Wine Open House Saturday, April 21, 11am. Silvara Vineyard. Visit Silvara along with select wedding professionals from the Upper Wenatchee Valley. Door prizes all day.

Brazil and Beyond Saturday, April 21, 7:30pm, $10. Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. Enchanting Brazilian music and more from the duo, Hilary Field and Gwen Franz.

Earth Day Fair Sunday, April 22, noon-4pm at Lions Club Park. “Many Hands, Many Voices, One Community.” Music, food, Health Fair, Farmers Market Showcase, booths and displays, and hands-on activities.

Live music this weekend at:
Andreas Keller
King Ludwigs
SOUTH
Alley Cafe
Tumwater Inn
Icicle Brewing Co

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A Taste of Bavarian Spring

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

The Gazebo in springtime

It’s March already and spring is only a few short days away. (Don’t forget to “Spring Forward” this coming Saturday night!) You know what they say, in spring a young girl’s heart turns to…Leavenworth! The snow will soon be melting, the river ice will break up and the wildflowers will begin to bloom again. Spring is a wonderful time to visit Leavenworth, and the village has a new festival to say goodbye to Old Man Winter and welcome the beautiful new season. April is now the month to celebrate Springtime with A Taste of Spring. Begin with a March 31 Front Street Festival filled with complimentary tastings such as locally grown pears, Bavarian taste treats, pear-infused olive oil, artisan chocolate, locally crafted beer and cured meats and gourmet cheese. There will also be street performances and an international marketplace.

For more information on this festival and activities throughout the month of April (including lodging and restaurant promotions) visit the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce website and our own front page. We publish an ever-growing and ever-changing list of events and activities right on our front page.

Traditional Folk Dancers

Also in April look for Leavenworth Choral Festival and the Ale-Fest. Check our Festivals page for dates and links.

In May visit Leavenworth for Maifest, May 11-13. There will be all sorts of family-oriented activities, a parade featuring horse-drawn wagons and Bernese Mountain Dogs, folk dancers and the traditional Maipole. The beautiful Riverfront Park is a wonderful place for a quiet walk with your family. Leavenworth in May is a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of spring and Mother’s Day.

The weekend after Maifest visit Leavenworth for the 10th annual Spring Bird Fest, where you’re invited to “Celebrate Birdsong and Explore the Natural World.” Events include guided birding field trips, guided wildflower viewing, art events and family activities. Birders of all skill levels are invited. Visit the Bird Fest website to pre-register for activities.

Whichever weekend you make your visit to Leavenworth this spring, make sure you plan plenty of free time to Shop, Eat and Play in the beautiful Bavarian style village. For lodging options and links to hotels, cabins and bed and breakfast inns, visit our Stay page.

Wildflowers on Blackbird Island

The Wenatchee River from Blackbird Island

Posted in Leavenworth, Maifest | 2 Comments »

Leavenworthy Leavenworth

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Flags flying in Leavenworth

We love Leavenworth! Sorry if you think we’re beating a dead horse over here, but them’s the facts, ma’am. We’ve had loads of people ask us, “Why do you love Leavenworth so much?” That question can be answered in so many ways. Here are just a few:

We love the mountains. We live on the edge of the mountainous region of Eastern Washington. We love our home in the Spokane area, but when we travel west we feel truly at home as we pass through the sage land of the Columbia Basin and then up Highway 2 to the Eastern Slope of the Cascade Mountains. Leavenworth is nestled in those mountains. We breathe easier and relax the longer we’re there.

December sunset in the Cascade Mountains

Leavenworth is familiar to us. Having visited many times over three decades we know it, and we’re homebodies at heart. And yet, for all its familiarity, we never cease to discover new places and experiences that often become new favorites. This past Christmas season we “discovered” the Living Nativity program at Leavenworth Church of the Nazarene. It was an impressive program and the church folks hosting it were warm and friendly. We’ll make sure we go again. You can read all about it in a previous post.

We enjoy the people of Leavenworth. There are many people we have made the acquaintance of, and enjoy visiting with. The fine folk at the Chamber of Commerce are always friendly and a wealth of information about what’s happening in Leavenworth. They man the visitor center seven days a week. Stop in for a cup of coffee and find out what’s happening and what’s new in town. And for more of what’s really happening in Leavenworth, we stop at the Black Swan T-shirt and novelty shop. We talk with Karen Folden if she’s in (and she usually is.) She’s such a trove of information that her business cards bill her as “Miss Information.” And we always stop at the Fudge Hut for fudge.

We like shopping in Leavenworth, supporting their local economy. There are shops we would never dream of missing in Leavenworth. The Cheesemongers Shop is one. The Cheesemongers Shop moved in 2008 to a much bigger shop and now offers many more cheeses and meats that ever before. But what brings us back to the shop is the friendly and knowledgable service. The shop is always staffed with bright and enthusiastic young people who never fail to greet each and every customer and offer samples right off the bat. We have favorite cheeses we buy every visit, like Vintage Gouda, smoked Gouda, horseradish cheddar and fruit studded Stiltons. We enjoy trying new cheeses and perusing the shop filled with cheese related products, imported and local wine and beer, and picnic accoutrements. A new place we love stopping at is the Oil & Vinegar Cellar in The Cheesemonger’s old digs. This year we shipped some of Taelor’s flavor infused oils and vinegars for Christmas gifts. They’re delicious.

With all these things to love about Leavenworth how do we pick who or what deserves our designation of Leavenworthy? To see what we’ve named Leavenworthy in the past click here. We look for businesses, individuals, organizations or events that are extra cool, provide outstanding and friendly customer service or go above and beyond in representing the best of Leavenworth. This time around, we’re naming The Cheesemonger’s Shop “Leavenworthy. We’ve been shopping there for many years and wouldn’t dream of traveling to or through Leavenworth without stopping. If we’re having a a picnic we stop for sliced meats and cheeses and refreshing drinks. But most of all they’re Leavenworthy because they’re a locally owned business, providing world-class gourmet product, with fantastic small-town service. Shop at The Cheesemonger’s Shop for imported and domestic cheese, cured meat and Bavarian products like stollen, sauerkraut, cookies and mustard.

The Cheesemonger's Shop on Front Street

What do you love about Leavenworth? Got any recommendations for a future designation of “Leavenworthy”? We’re always looking for input from our readers and fans of Leavenworth.

Posted in Leavenworthy, Shop | Comments Off on Leavenworthy Leavenworth

Christmas in the most Christmas-y town I know

Friday, December 30th, 2011

The Front Street Park Gazebo all lit up for Christmas

Leavenworth, Washington wears a lot of hats. It’s a mountain village, a Bavarian town, a festival town, and a Christmas town! Regardless of the snowfall (and this December was a little dry) the whole village of Leavenworth puts on its cheeriest face and greets many thousands of visitors.

I’m happy to say that Scotte and I were two of the visitors for this Christmas. Sure we’ve been for Christmas Lighting Festival, and we’ve visited mid-week in December. But this year, for the first time, we were actually in Leavenworth for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We’ve been planning for this all year, since we realized that none of our kids would be in Spokane with us for the holiday. We got our Christmas shopping and baking done in record time, mailed and delivered gifts early and headed for our favorite place. Due to an invitation to the Wenatchee River Lodge from Don and Mary Morse, we knew the perfect place to stay. Our wedding anniversary falls very near Christmas so the idea of a quiet, relaxing and romantic Christmas celebration seemed right.

The lights of Front Street coming on at sunset

Once we unpacked at the lodge we headed the short two miles to Front Street. For some reason we were expecting to have the town pretty much to ourselves. It was bustling! There were families of every shape and size. Stores were busy but not packed. Everywhere we went Leavenworth shopkeepers expressed happy amazement at the outstanding business they’ve been doing all through the Christmas Lighting Festival. We enjoyed lunch at the busy SOUTH restaurant. You know that’s one of our favorite places. Then we went into Kris Kringl to soak up some Christmas magic. There hadn’t been new snow for some time, but the sledding hill in Front Street Park was busy with kids sledding with saucers and sleds (and some foolhardy older kids on their feet.) Leavenworth and the surrounding ski areas have been making snow for the enjoyment of kids of all ages.

One of the windows of Kris Kringl Christmas Shop

Leavenworth was decorated for Christmas everywhere we looked. Even in the daytime, before the Christmas lights came on, signs of the season were everywhere. Shops and restaurants were all decked out. And people were decked out too. It’s obvious that many visitors can’t make a trip to Leavenworth without a trip to the Hat Shop. And why would you? Everywhere we looked we saw people of every age sporting hats with elf ears or reindeer antlers. Santas and Mrs. Santas were everywhere. The Hat shop also has a great selection of fashion hats and hats and gloves for the kiddos.

The lights and snow of Front Street Park

Once we had dinner, we drove back to the middle of town to see the Christmas lights. So beautiful! Every store front was lit and the park was bright with thousands and thousands of lights. Leavenworth installed thousands of new LED lights for this season. The sledding hill continued to be happy and busy with laughing and squealing children and their families.

Christmas Eve day was also very busy in town. The lack of snow seems to have made Leavenworth a popular family destination this Christmas. The area wasn’t completely devoid of snow. The surrounding hills and mountains had a charming wintery layer. We had a lot of fun taking pictures, visiting with friendly shop owners and enjoying the Christmas atmosphere.

Every shop and restaurant in town is decked out for Christmas

After changing clothes we drove to the Icicle Inn and JJ Hills Fresh Grill for our Christmas Eve dinner. We dined at JJ Hills back in April when they first reopened and had a disappointing experience. This time we visited at the chef’s express invitation, and we were not disappointed. Everything we ate was very good. The waitress pointed out the prime rib special and I was sure glad she did. The meal was tasty, the rib tender. I love their sweet potato fries. Scotte enjoyed London Broil with bearnaise sauce. His garlic mashed potatoes were a perfect accompaniment. We finished the meal with a lovely, light chocolate mousse. As always the service was excellent. I’m so glad the chef invited us to eat at the grill again.

The prime rib special on Christmas Eve at JJ Hills Fresh Grill

After the meal we went out to take more pictures until it was time to go to the Leavenworth Church of the Nazarene for their presentation of the Living Nativity. It was lovely. They presented the outdoor Nativity as part of the Christmas Lighting Festival. What a gift to the community and to visitors to Leavenworth. The participants were of every age. Live animals were a big part: sheep, a donkey, goats and a llama. (I know llamas are New World animals but you have to allow a little creative license.)

The Living Nativity at the Nazarene Church

Just before the Wise Men entered, the star lit up and proceeded to travel up a zip line, pausing while the Wise Men talked to Herod, then continued higher till it was resting over where the child was resting in his mother’s arms. The angels high over the manger and the visiting shepherds completed the scene. Narration and Christmas music played over loud speakers and church members had a tent set up where they offered their guests yummy hot chocolate. They performed the Nativity three times on Christmas Eve. If you go to Christmas Lighting Festival or spend Christmas in Leavenworth, be sure to put the Living Nativity on your to-do list.

Living Nativity

Afterward we went back to the lodge where Scotte and I enjoyed the fire in the game room and watched It’s A Wonderful Life. It was a lovely way to spend Christmas Eve.