Have been to Leavenworth. Nice town. I remember it was pretty hot out and there was there was a wildfire nearby and all the locals were on edge and high alert. Have been pondering another visit there. Took forever choosing the right German beer to take home for a friend. That's a good example of a town that underwent a revival and re-invented themselves, which in their case out of a long decline in the forest industry.
Have been along the OR coast many times. Have visited Astoria and Seaside. Last time there they had the world beach volleyball championships - that was interesting! Definitely some interesting small towns up and down the coast. Walked around the old part of Neskowin on the water where all the old summer cabins are which was interesting.
I like it when you're doing a long drive between major cities and you do a stopover in a small town for a break and you find yourself in one of the those lovely quaint historic towns that seems to pop out of nowhere.
