Easy To Fall For Autumn Colors, Activities Abound

Autumn is almost here, and there are plenty of things to do besides watch football all weekend:

Gray Line offers a day-trip bus tour to the Leavenworth Autumn Leaf Festival from Seattle on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7.

Festivities include a parade, Bavarian foods, crafts and live entertainment. Call (800) 624-5813 or (800) 426-7505.

The Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle is ablaze with red and Japanese maple trees, as well as foliage from other plants, from late September through October.

Free walking tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays through November, highlighting some of the 4,600 plan types. Call (206) 325-4510.

Toot, toot: Amtrak has made a variety of improvements to its most popular train, the Coast Starlight, which runs between Vancouver, British Columbia and Los Angeles.

The changes include two extra carriages for first-class travelers, a new sleeping car, and a second sightseeing lounge. For information, see at travel agent or call (800) USA-RAIL.

Hot air: A couple of ideas for getting away from it all:

The sixth annual Great Prosser Balloon Rally is Sept. 23-24, with two dozen balloons expected to participate.

Events include sunrise launches, a night glow-off of illuminated balloons on Saturday at dusk, pancake breakfasts, a farmers’ market and tastings by local wineries. For information, call (509) 786-3686.

The fourth annual Flathead International Balloon Festival in northwest Montana near Kalispell is Oct. 7-8, with more than 20 balloons expected.

Events include an evening glow-off, barbecues, live music, skydivers jumping from balloons, and more.

For information, call the Flathead Convention and Visitor Association at (800) 543-3105.

Bargains and discounts:

The Bellingham/Whatcom County Visitor’s Bureau has a free coupon book with autumn and winter discounts in the region, including hotels, a golf course, restaurants and casinos. For a free copy of All Aboard Bellingham, call (800) 487-2032.

KOA is offering a frequentcamper card that provides discounts from 5 to 25 percent for campers through Nov. 16. For a 1995 directory, send $3 to KOA Directory, Dept. SP, P.O. Box 30558, Billings, MT 59114, or get a free copy at any KOA campground.

Something fishy: Three bed and breakfasts in Ashland, Ore., are offering autumn steelhead fishing trips along the Rogue River in southern Oregon.

Packages include fly fishing equipment, guide service in drift boats and meals or snacks. There’s no age limit; prices begin at $399 for two people and include two nights’ lodging and one river trip.

For information, call the Chanticleer Inn at (503) 482-1919.

Cheers: The fourth annual Martini Classic Challenge, featuring three kinds of martini-related contests for professionals, is Oct. 6 in Seattle. Spectators are welcome to watch the event; for information, call the Mayflower Park Hotel at (206) 623-8700.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Send information about travel opportunities around the Pacific Northwest to: Travel Editor, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.