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Leavenworth
has been "home" to us since 1967, when we purchased
an acre of property, part of an aging pear orchard, on the Wenatchee
River from my father-in-law, Dallas Avey. The old orchard has
long since been removed. Our house and cottage were built in 1974;
the cottage was remodeled 2000. It was here that all
our children were born. Chuck, my husband, worked for the U.S.
Forest Service and in 1980 we were transferred, first to Winthrop,
Washington and later to Southern Oregon
and Newport, Washington.
It would be 18
years before we returned to Leavenworth. When we were away, the
house was maintained as a monthly rental property and upon
Chuck’s retirement in 1998, we reclaimed our home. The cottage
has been a vacation rental since 2000 and we began hosting
weddings on the property in 2006. In July, 2000, Chuck passed
away.
But our
family is growing! The three children, who grew up in this house
along the Wenatchee River, are adults and all are married. I
have four young grandsons (see No. 1 grandson in picture below) and
five granddaughters. And babe in the oven, due 3/11. Wow!
They all live, while not in Leavenworth, within a two-hour drive.
They visit often and together we are able to maintain the property
and continue sharing the cottage and the property with others. |
Mountain Home Road viewpoint, overlooking
Leavenworth spring 2010.
Left to right, Skansen holding Toren, Svea,
Ann holding Dawson and Emma,
Naiya and Brooklyn. In front, Annabelle and
Corban.
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