A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

Winter in Washington: Recipe for a Perfect Vacation

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On paper, the mountains of northern Washington in the dead of winter may not seem like my idea of a dream trip. They’re cold, especially in the winter; I’m a warm weather girl. We were far from civilization; I like the comfort of being in close proximity to an urban hub. Our days were relatively unplanned; I’m the definition of Type A, particularly when I travel.

AcroYoga in the Snow

And yet, our week in the North Cascade Mountains was pretty much the best trip we’ve been on in years.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

That’s not to say our gracious hosts, the NVR Guys, didn’t have us taken care of, because they did. But they sent us an email a few days before our arrival that said:

We’ll have a blast—just be prepared for whatever. The conditions should be great for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. But–you know how it goes in these extreme places–shit happens. Worse case scenario, we’re stranded in the house. Come with the expectation to enjoy nature, clear your heads, read books, finish/start projects (nature is good for that), and have awesome conversations. You won’t be disappointed.

What to Do in Washington: A Week in Methow Valley

The funny thing is that many of our friends seem to think we’re the types who need constant stimulation, and yet this recipe for a week away from all the noise was exactly what I needed. They will never know how much that email set me at peace, knowing very little (if anything at all) was expected of me for seven full days.

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So what did we do? Wellllll…

We went nordic skiing, and I discovered I’m not bad at it (just as they promised).

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

We had long, awesome conversations (just as they promised).

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

We took Ella on long walks until her little paws were frozen with ice balls.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

I read a couple books (again, they did not lie).

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

Don’t mind my three layers of down; it was EIGHT degrees out, after all.

I inverted (you’re not surprised). In snowshoes, at that.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

We had a couple beers (OK, a lot of beers), because this is us we’re talking about.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

We snowshoed up to the top of the peak in their neighborhood. The views were epic.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

We popped into the cutesy Western-themed town of Winthrop on a couple different occasions.

Visiting Winthrop in Washington's North Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

We laughed. A LOT.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

SVV and I busted out a little AcroYoga—or Acro SNOW-ga, if you will—something that was a first for both of us.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

You guys, this, this right here, is a recipe for my idea of a perfect vacation.

Somehow the time flew by, too, and on the morning of day six, it was time for us to pack up and go. We had a five-hour drive ahead of us to get back to Seattle, where we’d stay a final night before our flight back home.

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

And I wasn’t going to be five miles from Leavenworth and not have a pint of beer! This Bavarian-themed town had evaded me for years, and I knew I had to stop by for a peek.

AcroYoga in the Snow: A Washington Moment

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

We had lunch and a brewskie at Icicle Brewing Co. before hitting the road again, arriving in Seattle just as the sun was setting. And as if I needed another reason to love the Emerald City, it gave us this as a parting shot:

A Seattle Road Trip

Thanks for more awesome memories, Washington. Same time, same place next year? You can count us in, no doubt.

An Epic Trip to Washington's North Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains
A Winter Retreat to Washington's Cascade Mountains

Nordic Skiing in Washington's Mazama Valley

COMMENTS
  • February 18, 2017

    That looks like a fun trip! Cold, but when the scenery is gorgeous I think the weather gods can get away with it.

    • February 26, 2017

      I can told cold in small doses, and I’m already excited for our return trip next winter…as long as the boys invite us back, that is 😉

  • February 19, 2017

    The best part of living in Seattle was having mountains and snow close by, but rarely a snowflake in the city. Best of both worlds!

    • February 26, 2017

      If it weren’t so far from the rest of the country, I could totally live there! Oh yeah, and all that rain. I’ll take visiting annually, but I really do LOVE Seattle (and all of Washington, obviously).

  • February 21, 2017

    I love this. And thanks for chronicling everything via these beautiful photos (really like that one of us three guys staring off).

    • February 26, 2017

      I’m just trying to earn my invite back, of course!

  • February 22, 2017

    These photos are unreal! Since living in the midwest I really like cross country skiing. I only wish Bloomington would get more consistent snow.

    • February 26, 2017

      You’re lucky that you have access to trails, Em! We definitely don’t have the trails (or the snow) here in Tennessee. Maybe I’ll come visit you next winter 😉

      • March 2, 2017

        Yea! Y’all would like Bloomington. We could do a beer tour + cross country skiing if we get enough snow 🙂

  • February 24, 2017

    This place looks beautiful and worth to visit amazing capture wow.

    • March 2, 2017

      I hope you get to visit someday, Asmita!

  • February 28, 2017

    Wow….. 🙂 First of all these pics are superb & amazing. These pics makes me feel about winter in Washington. I have been in Washington for 4 months & that was winter time. I know how amazing was my that experience.
    This post is nice that makes me feel for winter in Washington.

  • April 15, 2017

    Thank you for sharing these valuable information with us. ts really helpful in our trip.

    Thank you

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  • September 7, 2017

    It is very creative and innovative. Would like to see more posts from your end. Amazing.

  • September 20, 2017

    thank you so much for awesome blog Enjoyed reading this. Your pictures are great.

  • October 27, 2017
    Izamar Lozano

    Hello! How are you? Your blog is amazing. I just read and see the photos of this publication and it is a beautiful place to go with the family on vacation and get out of the routine a bit. It is seen as a great place. I do not think the weather matters to create special moments and memories.
    Successes and Blessings!

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