As it was a short visit to the only Bavarian style village on this continent, we all agreed to meet early again at 8am for breakfast so we could spend more time actually being here before moving on.
The weather was already perfect as we joined T&G in the breakfast area. It was the usual fare but we were already getting fed up with it. The trouble is that it was there and was free and so felt obliged to fill up on it whereas the sensible thing to do would be to have just had something like cereal and leave it at that. But no, I sampled the egg and sausages, along with the English Muffins.
Anyhow after more than having our fill, we decided to play the back 9 holes of the mini golf. It was just as lovely and fun as the previous evening although there were no deer this time and the greens were heavy with dew. Not that anyone was really counting but I won again going round in 31.
T&G decided to continue round with the front 9 holes as well but we wanted to walk around the Bavarian Village once again.
It seemed prettier than before probably because due to the still early hour we almost had the place to ourselves. Apparently, an ordinance was degreed in the 1940’s for the village meaning that all buildings must be built in a way or alterations made to maintain the overall German Style. As a marketing idea it works with the proof being that even we had made the effort to be here. In my opinion the only thing it lacked was a proper cuckoo clock shop and somewhere selling Stieff Teddy Bears.
We gravitated towards the Bavarian styled Starbucks where we of course imbibed some of their hot wet take away offerings which we enjoyed in the morning sunshine admiring the tree covered mountains. Not the sort of view you get in Norfolk.
At 10.15am we met back at the car and loaded up to leave. Our first stop was just 4 minutes away at the Leavenworth Alpine Coaster where I had booked a ride for both Graham & myself. We checked ourselves in signed the waivers promising not to sue them should anything untoward happen whilst on the ride.
We rode separately. Our coasters were pulled up the mountain by cable and then we freewheeled ½ mile back down again with tight loops, bumps and corners. Each person is in control of the own speed via a brake. It was fast, exhilarating, fun but over all too quickly for the $20 each. We both got off with a big smile on our faces. I did ask if I could stay on but my request was declined.
Next, we called into the Safeway supermarket to buy some bits to have as a picnic on the journey to Snoqualmie. Again as we came out we stood to admire the view of the sun on the mountains, something you don’t see as you come out of the Lidl in Taverham.
Finding a spot for that picnic on the journey proved more troublesome than it should have done. The journey was almost over when we finally found something around a small lake that was almost suitable. It was quite noisy being near the Freeway but it had a picnic bench and something to look at including an Ospreys nest on top of a large pole. Karen & I both devoured the Caesar Salads we had bought from Safeway.
It was then just a short journey to our base for the next two night – Summit Inn at Snoqualmie Pass. This seemed to be a conference centre at a winter ski resort. It looked and felt and indeed was rather tired and run down. Bizarrely it also felt a bit ‘Chinese’ (if I am allowed to say that), probably due to the friendly elderly Chinese lady who checked us in, the buddhas in reception, all the staff being Chinese and the mellow Chinese music playing in the background. I am not complaining just that it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. Our room was large and seemed hopefully secure. Karen decided to reserve judgement on the cleanliness.
After making a quick cuppa we headed out the short distance to Franklin Falls. The car park was a reasonable $5. The trail map to the falls themselves was confusing as was the very poor signage telling us which trail was which. One was far more difficult than the other to reach the falls so we determined to take the easier one as it involved less clambering.
It took the best of an hour to reach the falls. The path was tough and Karen struggled at points but made it. Just before getting there, another path merged with ours. It seemed we and everyone else around us had opted for the more difficult one without knowing it. Easy going Karen never mentioned it once.
The falls themselves were very pretty. Karen declined scrambling right down the bottom to feel the mist from the water on her face. And it was a proper scramble and climb down. I made it but did have second thoughts a couple of times.
Needless to say, we took the easier option back. As there were no signs indicating it was though, everyone else at the falls just went back via the more difficult route, as we passed no one else in either direction whilst on it. All very strange. It was still a decent walk back but much easier on Karen’s knees and ankles.
Back in our room we had another cuppa before walking over the road to The Common Wealth café for dinner. It was geared up for big ski groups with large communal tables. Karen & I both had the Chicken Fettucine Alfredo which wasn’t bad. The portion was large and filling.
With that we headed back to our rooms for an early night. I was feeling very tired as I feel I have been on the go non-stop since Saturday morning with no down time. It was good to be able to catch up with a few things and properly plan out our day tomorrow. And with that (and no TV as the Inns Satellite Service was being replaced) we went off to bed.
