I can’t remember the last time we went on vacation so it definitely felt like we were due one! Because we hadn’t been on vacation for so long we’d forgotten all about being prepared, so Wednesday morning involved getting up, having holiday haircuts (for Harry, Toby and I) and packing.
Fortunately the weather forecast was hot, hot, hot, so t-shirts and shorts were all that was required. With the car loaded we set off on our exciting adventure. I think it was exciting because we were finally going to see what was over the other side of the mountains that we look at everyday out of the bedroom window! There are rumours of deserts, vineyards, lakes and guaranteed sunshine! Everybody raves about Lake Chelan so here’s hoping.
Before the sunshine we have to drive up the mountains, into the cloud and past the ski resorts – all within the first 45 minutes of leaving home! The temperature dropped from the high 60’s back at home to a chilly 52 at the peak. We passed lakes up in the mountains and then came down the other side into rolling, little house on the prairie type countryside with little white churches surrounded by lush green grass.
As the miles passed the temperature rose, going from the low of 52 back up to 78. This is what we wanted. As we got closer to Chelan however the skies turned grey and the road turned wet! Puddles! What!? We drive over the mountains, leaving the sunshine of the last 3+ weeks and so called rainy Washington behind to find even hotter weather in the deserts of the East and we get rain!? What’s that all about? Don’t they know we’re on vacation?
Fortunately the rain had gone through ahead of us and by the time we arrived at Campbell’s Resort the sun was out again. We checked in, settled in and then, because we were all starving, went for something to eat. After lunch we walked through Chelan (one real street) and checked the shops out. Vacation or not some things never change! Harry decided that he really, really wanted a snorkel set for swimming in the lake so we got him one. After going back to our room and getting changed it was time to hit the pool. After much “oo’ing” and “aah’ing” the snorkel was finally in position on Harry’s head. After some brief instructions on how to use it Harry hit the pool. Despite some instructions and having the gift of knowing everything, Harry swam down under water and then got the shock of his tube filling up with water. He emerged from below very quickly, spluttering, choking and swimming to the side. The snorkel came off, and if I were a betting man, I would suggest it will never go on his head again!
After the trauma of the snorkel, it was decided that some plain old swimming was probably the best bet. And so, Day 1 of the vacation ended with a nice swim and some relaxing in the evening sun. A very well deserved holiday – even if I do say so myself!
Day 2 started with clear blue skies and bright sunshine. After breakfast we went to the boat rental yard next door to our resort and arranged to pick up a speed boat for the day at 9:30am the following day. We then decided to explore a little bit and went up the east side of the lake to the next town called Manson. There wasn’t a whole lot to see other than lots of orchards so we carried on through and arrived at a place called Willow Point. This was just a quiet beach area by the side of the lake and it was beautiful. The water looked amazing and we stopped for a quick paddle. The water had a slight chill to it which made Toby shout “oh Jesus Christ” every time he dipped his toes in and out. Fortunately no-one else was around – so classy. As none of us had our swimwear with us we decided we would bring the boat by here the next day to have a swim in the beautiful water.
Next stop was Walmart! We stocked up on drink for the boat, some of Harry’s school supplies which we hadn’t been able to find in Bellevue and purchased a couple of water slides for when we got home. Then it was back to Campbell’s for a the rest of the day down on the beach. It’s a tough life!
httpv://youtu.be/3h_IibxucGo
Check out the swimming, dragging out the water and jumping in the lake:
httpv://youtu.be/0vFSk3mrTyU
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Before dinner Toby took a quick power nap. The swimming, sunshine and fresh air had clearly worn him out. However, fully recovered, he set about his dinner in the restaurant pretending it was a “Man vs Food” challenge (this is one of our favorite TV programs over here). Both Harry and Toby completely demolished their food and left not a scrap on the plate. Drinks were also taken care off and “Man” was declared the winner! The waiter was very impressed and asked them if they wanted dessert. The insisted they didn’t but the waiter reckoned if he put a chocolate cookie mousse with cream in front of them they would eat it. They assured him they wouldn’t. He put one on the table. They ate it. Two little boys with barrel shaped bellies left the restaurant that night. Just like their father!
Day 3 of the vacation was spent on the boat. Possibly the most important thing to note from the day was that Tracy said she’d like a boat like this! There may have been some sort of “if we lived here permanently” caveat mentioned but I didn’t hear that!
After a long day on the boat food was required. We went to a lovely little Italian restaurant in town and demolished a plate load of pasta each. Just as we were waiting for the bill some friendly Americans sat down on the table next to us. As is their way, they started talking to us and before you know it they are 1) offering us a day on their boat the next day, and, 2) offering to talk to their friend at Campbell’s to see if we can stay an extra night. As nice as these offers were I signed the bill, grabbed Toby and started off out the restaurant just as the “woman” was asking Dean (I think) whether they had our cell phone number. They didn’t. And they weren’t getting it! It was bad enough that they intended to come down and get us the next day!
After an exhausting day we got back to our room and put TV on as the Seahawks were playing. Tracy fell asleep first, followed soon after by Toby. As it turns out, I was next and Harry last. He turned the TV off once the match had finished and put himself to bed!!
The final day of the vacation started with a mix of excitement because it was my birthday and a desire to pack up and check out before the people from last night arrived to take us out on the boat for the day. Now I’m sure they probably have a very nice boat to go with their house in Mukilteo (where you catch the ferry for Whidbey Island) and their other house in Chelan, however, I didn’t want to spend my birthday with them because I am anti-social! Fortunately Tracy is too. And the boys!
After opening all my lovely presents and cards, we loaded the car and set off for Leavenworth, which is about 45 minutes back towards the mountains. Leavenworth is a Bavarian town. Yes, you read that correctly, a Bavarian town. It used to be a logging town back in the day, but then that industry died a death and someone decided, quite logically, that what they should do is change the whole look of the town to a Bavarian one. So they did. Literally everything has been changed, the hotels, shops, restaurants, band stands, everything. It’s quite odd but rather nice!
Before hitting the shops, we went for a walk along (and in) the Wenatchee river. It was very beautiful – quite like a mini Yosemite in its own way. After managing to keep their shorts dry, we then went for a walk round the town. There were lots of sweet shops, crafty shops, Christmas shops and the odd horrible doll shop.
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Lunch was taken in a Mexican restaurant (what else would you have in a Bavarian town!?) and then we continued our journey home. The boys watched DVDs in the back while we drove through valleys, along side stunning rivers, up mountains, over Stevens Pass, past ski resorts and back down to civilization on the other side. Nothing is wasted on those two!
And so, by mid afternoon, we were home. Fully relaxed and happy in the knowledge that it was a bank holiday weekend so could relax in the sun for a little while longer.
