Leavenworth

Washington's Very Own Bavarian Village!

As Jennifer (our wonderful bus driver) turns the Blue Sky bus around the last corner to the Leavenworth put-in for a full day of fun on the Wenatchee, the guests suddenly wonder just what bus they've gotten on. Washington seems half-a-world away, and the half-imagined odors of hops and sausage waft from the peak-roofed Bavarian buildings that line the road. Has the bus lurched through a wormhole into another continent and century? No, this is Leavenworth, jewel of the Washington Alps.

It was not always so. Just seventy years ago, these streets were decorated only with the debris of an obsolete railroad and a washed-out logging industry: stricken, destitute laborers shambled among the wreckage of their livelihoods, tipping the last damp dust from their hip flasks as they watched yet another brimming vehicle trundle off toward the horizon, which, at least, could not be more hopeless.

Theaters, fine dining, wine, and a welcoming atmosphere, exploding often into brilliant festivals are the defining features of this lovely village nestled among the apple orchards. Leavenworth's quaint, comfortable lodgings and delightful diversions make it the perfect complement to a day of rafting the Wenatchee with Blue Sky Outfitters.

Also check out:
Leavenworth Restaurants
City Festivals
Local Shopping


Or Click Here for Other Fun Activities in the Area!

Cashmere, WA

Village in the Valley

You couldn't say you'd seen the east side of Washington till you've taken a jaunt through the orchards and vineyards that produce the state's famous fruits and wines. Check out http://www.visitwashingtonfarms.org/ for a free map of the agricultural areas and other local attractions. Guide yourself through the growing fields, then let Blue Sky give you an intimate encounter with the waters that nourish them. Many of the orchards offer an opportunity for you to pick your own produce, just make sure you check in at their office first!


The fruit-bearing acres aren't the only attraction, either! The Wenatchee Valley ecosystem includes a rich and diverse array of plant and animal species. Fascinating species of birds, such as the sage thrasher, golden-crowned sparrow, and even rarities like the elusive bobolink may be seen in the fields and forests of the Leavenworth area. For high concentrations of wild nature, you can't beat the Barn Beach Reserve, whose knowledgeable rangers host tours, trips, and almost as much information as your average raft-guide.


Don't leave the area without some souvenir from Apple Annie Antique Mall, one of America's Top Ten Antique Malls, located close to our put-in and barbecue site in Cashmere. With 70,000 square feet of densely packed treasures, Annie's could occupy you all day. Just don't miss the meet time for your rafting trip!


Making the express trip at noon? Track down the Taco Truck (http://www.thetacotruck.com/, just kidding!), a favorite of Blue Sky guides when they can't get their hands on any top sirloin from the full-day trips. It's just one of the little gems of Cashmere that explain why India and Pakistan are always fighting over it—what? Oh, Kashmir? OK, but it's only because they don't know about it.