By The Numbers The Longest Journeys - And Those That Aren’t Quite So Long - Begin With A Phone Call

People who like to attend regional events find their calendars packed during summer, but somewhat leaner after Labor Day.

Help, however, is but a phone call away.

Autumn offers many activities, and state tourism offices are eager to provide information.

For those who like to get an early start on planning their next vacation, the phone numbers listed below will be helpful. Most states offer free travel guide maps, and brochures filled with information on various destinations and area attractions.

Washington

The Central Washington State Fair at the Yakima Fairgrounds, Sept. 20-29, has a rodeo, carnival, agricultural displays and livestock.

This year’s headline acts are Tim McGraw with Faith Hill, The Goo-Goo Dolls, and Wynonna with Blackhawk. Shows free with fair admission are Three Dog Night, The Little River Band and Weird Al Yankovic. The week also includes moto-cross, demo derby and monster trucks.

Tickets to all performances can be purchased in advance from any TicketMaster location or by calling (509) 453-7139. For more fair information, call (509) 248-7160.

Washington State Tourism provides free copies of the Washington State Lodging and Travel Guide and quarterly Field Guides. (800) 544-1800.

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife provides information on hunting, fresh-and saltwater fishing and wildlife viewing. (360) 902-2250.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission offers information at (360) 902-8500.

Washington Department of Transportation has maps and information on biking. (360) 705-7277.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources has maps and brochures on 135 primitive recreation sites. (360) 902-1234.

Washington Trail Association can provide information on trail conditions, campsites, hiking, and other recreational opportunities. (206) 625-1367.

Washington State Bed and Breakfast Guild provides a list of its inspected members. (800) 647-2918.

Idaho

The Sun Valley Swing ‘n’ Dixie Jazz Jamboree (Oct. 16-20) offers five days of ragtime, traditional jazz and swing music. Entertainers include the Kings of Swing from Boise, the San Francisco Starlight Orchestra, Stumptown Jazz from Portland, and The Chicago Six from San Diego.

A five day pass is $60 per person, and single-day passes are $20. Opening and closing day tickets are $15. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a parent. Tickets may be purchased prior to Oct. 11 by calling (208) 375-1671. For general information call (208) 344-3768.

Idaho Travel Council provides free copies of the 1996 Idaho State Travel Guide at (800) VISIT-ID.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game answers questions on fishing and hunting, and on wildlifewatching locations at (208) 334-3700.

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation at (208) 334-4199 offers a booklet on state parks and provides information on biking and hiking trails, ORV areas, camping, boating, and other recreational opportunities.

Idaho Hospitality and Travel Association at (208) 334-3465 has a list of lodges, inns and B&Bs.

Montana

Kalispell’s Flathead International Balloon Festival (Sept. 14-15) will host about 20 balloons. Pancake breakfasts and a Saturday-night barbecue, music, and balloon glow-off are planned. Spectators are welcome to assist in inflating the hotair balloons. For more information call (800) 543-3105 or (406) 756-9091.

The Glacier Jazz Stampede (Oct. 2-6) in Kalispell is a five-day party featuring top musicians. Musical flavors include jazz, ragtime, swing, big band and modern. This year’s entertainers include banjo duo Bill Dendle and Eddie Erickson, Ray Templin and the Chicagoans. For information call (406) 862-3814.

Travel Montana offers free copies of the Vacation Guide and the Travel Planner at (800) VISIT-MT.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks provides information on fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and other recreation activities at (406) 444-2535.

Adventure Cycling Association offers maps and information on biking at (406) 721-1776.

Montana Bed & Breakfast Association provides a directory of its members at (800) 270-7515.

Oregon

The Three Rivers Round Up Rodeo in Grants Pass will be Oct. 4-5. Kids can participate in dummy roping and adults can dance the night away. The 150th Anniversary of the Applegate Wagon Train journey, which started in Winnemucca, Nev., and ended in Independence, Ore., is being reenacted. The wagon train will pass through Grants Pass the evening of Oct. 4. For more information, call (541) 955-8000.

Visit a Victorian Christmas in Jacksonville every weekend in December. Entertainers will perform music in the streets. For more information call (541) 899-8118.

Oregon Tourism offers free copies of the 1996 Oregon Travel Guide at (800) 547-7842.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife can provide information on fresh-and saltwater fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities at (503) 229-5454.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department offers a guidebook to state parks at (800) 551-6949.

Oregon Outdoors Association has a list of members at (541) 382-9758.

Nature of Oregon Information Center has information on outdoor recreation at (503) 731-4444.

Oregon Bicycle Program offers maps and information on biking routes at (503) 986-3555.

Call the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Guild at (800) 944-6196 for a list of inspected members. And the Oregon Bed & Breakfast Directory provides a list of over 150 B&Bs at (800) 841-5448.

British Columbia

The Native Heritage Art Show and Sale in Duncan (Nov. 9 and 10) features the work of British Columbia’s top silversmiths, carvers and pottery makers.

The free event will be in the Heritage Center from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. each day. For more information, call (604) 746-8119.

Take a trip up north to Fort Nelson to watch the top mushers in the world at the Canadian Open Sled Dog Races (Dec. 14 and 15). The open class, will start at 10 a.m. at two-minute intervals; eight-and six-dog teams will follow at one-minute intervals. The race will vary in length from 14 to 6 miles, depending on class. Spectators are welcome along the race route, which begins and ends in Fort Nelson. For more information, call (604) 774-2206 or (604) 774-2991.

Discover British Columbia offers a large selection of free information and travel guide on accommodations, golfing, camping and visitor services at (800) 663-6000.

B.C. Department of Fisheries and Oceans has information on saltwater fishing at (604) 666-3545. B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands & Parks has information on freshwater fishing at (604) 582-5200.

Guide-Outfitters Association of British Columbia can supply information on its members and their facilities at (604) 374-6836.

B.C. Parks has information of provincial parks and recreational opportunities at (604) 387-5002.

British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Association has a list of facilities at (604) 276-8616.

Alberta

Mountain-climbing, kayaking and hang-gliding are sure to be wellrepresented at this year’s Banff Festival of Mountain Films (Nov. 1-3) at The Banff Center. The weekend also includes a trade show featuring the latest in outdoor equipment and clothing, guest speakers, seminars, book fesival and a craft fair. Amateur and professional photographers participate in the Banff International Mountain Photography Competition. For more information call (403) 762-6125.

Watch Canada’s best cowboys compete at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton, Alberta, Nov. 6-10. This is the final rodeo on the Canadian Pro Rodeo Circut. Tickets are $23 and can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at (403) 451-8000. For general information, call (403) 471-7210.

Alberta Tourism offers free copies of Alberta Accommodation and Visitors Guide and Alberta Campground Guide, and information guides on golfing and other visitor services at (800) 661-8888.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife Services can provide information on fishing at (403) 427-3574.

Alberta Guide and Outfitters Association has a list of recreational activities at (403) 486-3050.

Alberta Environmental Protection Office offers information on provincial parks and recreational opportunities at (403) 944-0313.

Alberta Parks Service provides information on public forest camping and recreation at (403) 427-7009.