Try Something New: Take A New Way Home

Happy Friday, friends!  This has been a looooong week and I'm ready for the weekend - you?

It's month three in my "try something new" series, one of the goals I set for 2018.  In January, we went snowshoeing.  February found me in a sensory deprivation tank.  And in March, we took a new way home.

Late last month, we needed to head east for some business, which took us through our usual route over Snoqualmie Pass.  After dropping off the package, we had the rest of the day in front of us, with no plans.

What to do?  We took the long way home (Supertramp, anyone?).  I've lived in Washington for almost 40 years, but I've never driven over Blewett Pass, a lesser traveled route that deposits you right into the adorable Bavarian village of Leavenworth, at the base of the Cascade mountains.

The mountains were snowy but the roads were clear, and the sun was even out for a bit...

One of the coolest things about Washington State is all of the microclimates.  Before long we left the snow behind, and found ourselves in the arid, central part of the state, where a huge apple crop is grown every year.  No apples yet though.

Although we've been to Leavenworth dozens of times, in the spirit of trying something new, we decided to hit up a new restaurant and a few new stores in town.

And try a new dessert.

I have to admit, we might be starting to get the hang of this empty nesting thing.  Although there are many moments when I think, "the boys would love this", it's nice to be spontaneous, and not worry about anyone else's schedule.

And bonus,  I don't have to share my crepe.