Stay Snug On A Rugged Coast
Sometimes finding just the right inn or cottage in more remote destinations is a challenge. Those bound for Vancouver Island, however, can now contact West Coast Central for reservations in Tofino and Ucluelet.
The west side of Vancouver Island is a near-mecca for kayakers and hikers. Among the inns listed with West Coast Central are A Snug Harbour Inn, from which guests can watch for whales; Sheila’s Country Cottages and Garden Cottage or bed and breakfasts such as Fletcher’s Cove, Ocean Breeze or Clayoquot Retreat.
Prices range from $75 to $250 a night and West Coast Central will also book adventure packages for fishing, surfing and kayaking as well as golf packages.
For information: (250) 726-2479 or e-mail at wccent@mail.island.net.
In the Emerald City
Two new exhibits of note open this spring at the Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center.
Raptors: Hunters of the Sky is an interactive exhibit opening May 24. Visitors can hoot in the hooting booth or listen in on recorded debates between forest industry representatives and environmentalists at the Spotted Owl Cafe.
Meet Me at the World’s Fair continues through Oct. 21, in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. The exhibit includes artifacts and memorabilia from the event.
For hours and admission information, contact the Pacific Science Center at (206) 443-2001 or on the Web at www.pacsci.org/.
Hot jazz in central Montana
A number of communities hold jazz festivals and Helena is not a city to be left off this list.
Montana’s capital city will host the 15th annual Montana Traditional Jazz Festival, June 24-29. The lineup includes 12 Dixieland jazz bands as well as a costumed jazz parade, jazz workshops, jazz gospel workshops and two jazz masses.
For a schedule and more detailed information, call the Jazz Hotline (800) 851-9980; for travel information call (800) 7-HELENA.
Pack for the mountains
The Glacier Institute lends a whole new meaning to the phrase “going to camp.”
The institute has added six field science camps for kids ages 9 to 18 this summer. The students explore the northern Rockies learning about ecosystems, plant and animal life. Evenings are spent around the campfire.
The classes are based in the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center, located on the North Fork of the Flathead River at the edge of Glacier National Park. The camps will be:
Young Naturalist, for ages 9-11, June 22-27 or July 6-11.
Wild Glacier Adventure, for ages 12-15, July 20-26 or July 27-Aug. 2, (includes a whitewater rafting trip).
Girls Naturalist Adventure, for girls ages 12-14, Aug. 10-16.
Ecology Afield, for ages 15-18, Aug. 3-10.
Prices range from $250 to $325 per week and scholarships are available.
For information: Glacier Institute, 137 Main St., Kalispell, MT 59904; (406) 755-1211.
A cultural tour of Idaho
It’s not too late to reserve a spot on an art and history tour of Idaho’s Camas Prairie and Clearwater Valley regions, June 27-29, sponsored by the Friends of the Washington State University Museum of Art.
Stops include the Nez Perce Historical Park and the Museum of Nez Perce Culture, the Monastery of St. Gertrude, and the studio of bronze artist John Geis.
The fee is $255 and information is available by calling Judi Wutzke, (509) 334-3824.
, DataTimes