Oktoberfest in Leavenworth Washington

Last weekend we made a rather spur of the moment trip to Leavenworth Washington for

Oktoberfest.

Let me back up a little. This past summer we tried on numerous occasions to make it to our favorite summer festivals, we even tried to make it to a new one, however, EVERY TIME we lit out we'd arrive only to find the festival was the coming weekend or the last weekend. Even Google was in on it, telling us the Hawthorne Street Fair was going on when it wasn't. By September, we had given up, besides the whole Northwest part of the US was engulfed in fire and smoke so we just hunkered down and called it a summer.

Needless to say, when October came and the fires burned out, we were ready for a road trip so we checked and double checked and triple checked before we booked our reservations to Leavenworth for Oktoberfest! And lo and behold, we made it.

We purposefully drove the long way there, through the Columbia Gorge so we could see the aftermath of the Eagle Crest Fire that burned for most of September.

Yes, there were tell tale signs of it from the freeway, probably more so if you were hiking, but the Gorge is still beautiful.

As is the Yakima Valley, where the windmills are placed so close to the road you could almost reach out a touch them as you drive by.

Ah, but the town of Leavenworth was breathtaking and ready to celebrate! A parade though the main street began the party.

And what's a parade without horses! Seriously, they're my favorite part of parades.

The weather was beautiful so we drove a little outside of town for a quick hike before the eating and drinking commenced.

Nothing beats hiking in Autumn.

Except perhaps hiking in Autumn next to a beautiful river...

loaded with fish!

Back in town the party was getting started.

The music was jumping, the beer was flowing, and the food was delicious!

We may make Oktoberfest in Leavenworth an annual tradition (after checking and double checking what weekend it's on of course!)