Are you looking for a wonderful, rejuvenating adventure before or after the NASFAA Conference? If so, consider taking the drive through the Central Cascades of Washington. Depending upon your time limitations, you could spend anywhere from one day to one week exploring this beautiful region of the country.
You'll first travel north of Seattle to Everett where you will connect to I-2 going east.Just outside of Gold Bar is beautiful Wallace
Falls State Park, where you can swim, hike and backpack.
Continuing east on I-2, you will soon come to the tiny town
of Skykomish,
whose rich history is tied to the railroad. Settled in 1889 by John Maloney, a
guide for railroad surveyor John Stevens, the town still is home to the
"Whistling Post Tavern" that opened in 1893. It's a "must see."
Your next stop along I-2 is the quaint little Bavarian village of Leavenworth, where you will probably want to spend at least one night. This small town, surrounded by a picturesque mountain backdrop, boasts several community theaters
that run year-round. Its streets, adorned with a myriad of beautiful hanging baskets of flowers, are lined with quaint shops and restaurants.
A short distance from Leavenworth, and just off the main
highway, is the lovely little town of Cashmere,
home of the world famous Aplets and Cotlets candies. It's well worth the time
to stop and tour Liberty Orchards Candy Factory (they give out free
samples!). There are also other activities and attractions that may interest
you in this small town nestled in the beautiful and rugged Washington Cascades.
Wenatchee,
"One of the most digitally connected places in the country," is located in the
heart of Washington State, and should be your next stop along I-2. The
town, located along the banks of the mighty Columbia River, offers numerous activities and attractions
for the interested visitor. From the area's rich history to current attractions, there are
many great ways to spend a few pleasant hours or a day or two in this warm and
welcoming town.If you plan to spend the night, there are a variety of lodging options from which you can choose.
Leaving Wenatchee you will probably want to cross the Columbia
River and connect to Highway 28. This will take you to the small town of Quincy
where you have a couple of options. You may continue on 28 through North
Central Washington, or you may turn south on I-281, which will connect you to
I-90 east or west. Going east will take you to Spokane; going west you can connect to
I-243, which will take you through the Hanford Reservation and into the Tri-City area. You may also elect
to stay on I-90 West to Ellensburg, home of Central Washington University,
where you can catch I-82. This will take you through the Tri-Cities to
Umatilla, OR where you will see the amazing Columbia River Gorge, and
where you will be able to pick up I-84 going either east and west.
A trip through the Central Cascades of Washington will
provide you with a rich history of Washington State, allow you to visit some
wonderful small towns, take some great hikes, and give you the opportunity to
travel through a variety of geographical landscapes from rugged mountains to the
high desert to the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. If you've never had the
opportunity or taken the time to see one of the most geographically diverse and
beautiful states in the country, you owe it to yourself to take a few extra
days before or after the NASFAA Conference and drive the Central Cascades of Washington!
By the NASFAA 2006 National Conference Host Committee
Posted May 3, 2006 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Copyright 2006. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited
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