<a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/cantchangerandy/2532253796/” title=”Beautiful Landscape by Randy Wick, on Flickr”><img src=”http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3002/2532253796_b52c33d980.jpg” width=”500″ height=”231″ alt=”Beautiful Landscape”></a>
I just returned from a weekend getaway to Winthrop, Washington, and I was barely through my front door before I started writing up this post. The reason? This town, this area, has a hold of my heart and won’t let go. I just have to share why.
I’ll be the first to say, Winthrop is not easy to get to. To me that’s part of the beauty-you have to work to get there. But have no fear, it’s an absolutely breathtaking drive.
Heading up north of I-5, I headed east on 20 and drove through North Cascades National Park, a road that’s only open in the summertime when weather permits. Through spiny, glacier-covered mountains, turquoise lakes and flowing waterfalls, I curved along the highway, ooh-ing and ahh-ing the whole way.
I arrived in the town just about four hours after we left the city, and crossed into the Wild Wild West. Prepare yourselves, as there is a western flair to this town-wooden sidewalks, old signs and all. It’s quaint, albeit it took me off-guard at first.
Well, if you ask me, it’s a whole lot better than Leavenworth with its’ Bavarian theme.
What should you do in Winthrop?
1. Go Mountain Biking.
There are so many trails out around this area to explore, and the ones I loved the most (shh, it’s a secret) are the trails out near Sun Mountain Lodge. I took a nice long loop around Black Bear Trail-Sunnyside-Beaver Pond, and enjoyed a good sweat and fantastic views. Check out most up-to-date news on other mountain biking and hiking trails (even cross country trails for winter) here at the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association Website.
2. Eat like a Local.
After all that hard work biking, I did my job and replenished those calories. Looking for the best food in Winthrop? Hands down it was at the East 20 Pizza House. I vote for the Creamy Greens pizza. It was hard to find tasty food in Winthrop to be honest, as the Ruud Awakening IPA is good at Old Schoolhouse Brewery, but the food didn’t match up. Need that coffee and (want) the baked good to get going in the morning? Make a bee line to the Cinnnamon Twisp, located eight miles north of Winthrop in the town of Twisp. I couldn’t decide between their signature cinnamon twisp baked good or a freshly baked bagel, so I got one of each. 🙂 If you’re there on a Saturday, be sure to head over to the Methow Farmer’s Market just down the road to check out the local artwork and fresh veggies.
3. Take in the View and Have a Cider.
I finished my day at the Methow Valley Ciderhouse, sipping on a hard cider sampler, sitting on a couch underneath a massive canvas tent, listening to live music and taking in a magnificent view. I sat there for a few hours, enjoying the live music and chatting with my fellow couch sitters. Everyone deserves to spend a few Saturday afternoons just like these every once in a while.
I hope you can make it to Winthrop, Washington at some point this summer to check out this gem of a town yourself. If not, head over in the winter, but just be sure to bring your skis. 🙂
Beautiful Landscape photo courtesy of Randy Wick on Flickr.
Western Winthrop photo courtesy of Nicolas Saunier on Flickr.