Leavenworth

Mike in Leavenworth (aka Bavaria!)

Today was a totally early start (6:15am alarm!!), and Gary (my host) drove me to Safeway's in Leavenworth to meet up with Mike and Dave (both City Administrators) who looked after me on my mornings vocational visit.  Like all things over here, the morning was relaxed and informal starting in a local Bavarian coffee shop, and discussing the history of Leavenworth.  This place is unique, because in the 1960's the city (of about 2,500 people!!) decided to adopt a theme... and with the help of the University of Washington, decided upon a Bavarian approach.  To say it is a little weird is an understatement.  It's done very well, and all the commercial buildings have really got into it (signs are sometimes in both English and German!).

I also was taken to Icicle Creek and learnt about the issues associated with water rights and utilities.  We also made a trip to the ski hill, before heading back to Bavaria for a trip down to the river to understand about the cities logging past and the public realm approach (Bavarian!).

Lunch at a local winery followed, and I met with other City Administrators from around the area.  The food (and wine - Pinot Gris) was outstanding (French onion soup and salad).

 

Mike then took me to meet the rest of the team, before heading to the Rocky Reach Dam.  Unfortunately I couldn't take part in the tour because I am super allergic to shoes (and was required to wear steel toe cap boots), but managed to get my own personal tour of the Salmon Ladder, Salmon Counting Area, juvenile salmon water slide and the turbine rooms.  Both the US and Canada produce a huge amount of electricity from hydro dams.

We then stopped for a much needed ice cream, and I (being a greedy guts) decided to have a Root Beer Float... unfortunately it didn't agree with me and I think my love affair with RB has come to an abrupt end :(

Gary picked me up in his beautiful Mercedes 500 (I think) and whisked me back to the house for dinner with Zondra and a game of Rummy Cubes (gotta find that to take home!).

Another great day in North America!
S
xx

p.s. have at last found spell checker on this thing, so hopefully my English is a little better.
p.p.s. hear that BA isabout to go on strike... does that mean I will be stranded in Seattle?!?!

 Me and a hummer (No. 20 ish on the hummer count!)