A Winter Escape

Winter in Seattle has been somewhat nonexistent. The weather has been mild with bouts of sunshine and warm breezes. A typical winter in Seattle brings several big snow storms, but instead the early spring weather has brought about the blooming of cherry blossoms outside my apartment. Dan and I were in need of a snow fix, because truly how can one just jump from fall to spring without experiencing the thrills of a winter wonderland?

Appropriately, this past weekend Dan and I found ourselves on a mini getaway in the heart of the Cascade Mountains where we spent three days at the Mountain Home Lodge just outside of Leavenworth. Making our way from the gray skies of Seattle into the white capped mountains of Stevens Pass we stopped to admire the blanket of white that draped over the landscape.

On our way we visited the Bavarian likes of Leavenworth for a quick tour of the shops and restaurants, stopping for lunch at the Soup Cellar where we devoured extra large helpings of soup and veggie sandwiches. Being a Saturday the town was brimming with tourists, all making their way from each wine shop to the next. If the kitschy German decor and window garb don’t tickle your fancy, Leavenworth truly delivers on the alcoholic front as the wine flows abundantly and freely. One can simply walk the length of the town stopping nearly a dozen times at various wine shops for an assortment of free tastings.

Several wine tastings and a chocolate shop later, we found ourselves at the base of the Mountain Home Road where our snow rigged van was awaiting to take us up into the mountains. The Mountain Home Lodge is not accessible to vehicles, but instead visitors are swiftly brought up the narrow single lane snow packed mountainside in an assortment of snow cats and snowmobiles. After the 20 minute heart stopping ride we arrived at the Lodge which was every bit as dreamy as their photos suggest. Rustic, charming, and secluded, this was the winter wonderland oasis we had been fantasizing about.

We quickly dropped our bags and utilized the last remaining hours of daylight for some outdoor exploration. Despite its isolation, the Lodge offers every imaginable winter activity and within minutes of arriving we were cross country skiing all over the place. With little new snowfall and lots of snow melt, the trails were a bit compact and icy, but somehow we managed. Skiing along in the crisp, clean air, the solitude and quietness of it all was true tranquility. We stopped to admire the deafening sound of nothing. No cars, no people, no construction, just us and the open wilderness. It was eerie and exciting all at the same time.

With daylight diminishing we came back to our cozy little room where we cleaned up for the feast of our lifetime. Due to the remoteness of the lodge, during the winter months all meals are included -- because let’s be honest, what else would a bunch of city slickers do for food? Dinner started with complimentary wine and appetizers for the 24 guests around the fireplace. Dinner was then served at cozy, candlelit tables with classical music playing softly in the background. The owners graciously served each table the three course dinner while the resident chef plated each dish with care and precision. With each course the flavors flowed seamlessly into the next, and I couldn’t help gorging myself beyond the point of satiation.

The night ended with me sprawled out in bed, stomach bulging, and groaning from over indulgence. My only comfort being that tomorrow I would most certainly burn off the added calories as our plans included a day of snow shoeing and more exploration. Before going to bed, I took a moment to pause outside and take in the stillness of our remoteness. Although I crave the energy of a city at night, something about the deafening silence of solitude was electric. I could almost see myself living here. Almost.