Reunion Part II--How to do Leavenworth

When you're in Leavenworth, a delightful Bavarian village, you simply must experience it's many unique shops.  (And float the river, but I already talked about that.) Walk up and down the beautiful sidewalks and enjoy all the overflowing hanging baskets and the towering mountains in the backdrop.  See the nutcrackers and sample the cheeses and sausages.  

You'll definitely want to stop at the hat shop.  Because who doesn't love trying on crazy hats?  Just don't think about the hundreds of people who may have also tried on those very hats before you.

How awesome do we look?

All that hat-trying will get you thirsty so you should walk around the corner to Fizzy's.

There you'll find floats and sodas in all sorts of flavors.  You may actually love it so much that you'll want to come back the very next day.  

When you come upon the cutest bench with heart-shaped cut-outs, you must stop for a photo.

And then photo bomb the otherwise adorable picture of Grandma and Grandpa with some of their grandkids.

Make sure you make your way to the other end of downtown to The Taffy Shop.  But watch your kids carefully because they might be so taken with the endless flavor options that before you know it, their fill-your-own sacks of Taffy cost more than $40!

Enjoy the unique buildings with their alpine-inspired architecture.  I loved this little church on the left:

Also, be sure to visit The Gingerbread Factory for the most delicious cookies.

And that is how you do Leavenworth.  It's fun and touristy but not at all too crowded.

Before you go, pose the grandkids for a picture.  (One of these things is not like the others?)

When all efforts to coax Clara to smile prove futile, ask the kids to "show their Clara face."

Hearty laughter will ensue so asking for "Grandma's laughing face" will seem an appropriate follow-up pose.  But it will, of course, make you laugh even harder.

It won't, however, make Clara laugh.  In fact, she may just get downright mad in .025 seconds.

That'll be your cue to pack up and hit the road.  All that fun is tiring, though, so just lean to the left and have a little nap.

Be sure to take the scenic ride home.  It's gorgeous!  And since you've got lots of leftover reunion food in your car, stop for a picnic at a campground on the way.  (Just beware of the port-a-potties.)

Since this will be a spontaneous picnic, just use a blanket for your tablecloth and a carrot to spread your mayonnaise.

After lunch, head down to the river to throw and skip rocks and dip your toes--or your whole lower half--in the chilly water.

You'll find you've had a most wonderful family reunion with great memories of time spent together.