Theme-Park Book Misses Idaho And Washington

Two new guidebooks from AAA arrived in our office and, frankly, we’re a little peeved at the lack of a Northwest presence in these books.

“The AAA Guide to North America’s Theme Parks,” which boasts more than a hundred entries, includes none in Idaho or Washington and only one in Oregon, and that’s in Winston, Ore.

What about Silverwood, we ask?

Nevertheless, those traveling in other regions will find a number of smaller theme parks that they might not otherwise know about.

The other book, “The AAA Guide to the National Parks,” with descriptions of 54 parks, lists Glacier National Park in Montana under Waterton-Glacier National Park (at first we feared it was missing altogether).

It’s true, Glacier is adjacent to Waterton National Park in Alberta, but few know the Montana park by anything other than Glacier.

That said, the book is packed with enough information and photos to lure most travelers to a number of the nation’s lesser-known parks. And that alone is a worthy purpose, since the most popular destinations - Yellowstone and Yosemite among them - are overcrowded already.

Thinking Christmas

We’re heading into the thick of the bazaar season and, just in time, the new edition of the Holiday Bazaar Guide is available.

The 100-page guide lists more than 400 arts and crafts events, fairs and shows in this state, including dates, hours, descriptions and phone numbers for more information.

The guide is $5.95 and is available at craft stores or by mail (add $2 for shipping), from Gail’s Guides, PO Box 70323, Bellevue, WA 98007.

For free

The new Grays Harbor County visitor guide is available and includes information on festivals, events, entertainment, lodging and dining and excursions.

Grays Harbor is on the Olympic Peninsula about an hour’s drive west of Olympia.

For a free copy of the visitor guide, call (800) 621-9625.

Will a goldfish do?

Travelers who had to leave their pets behind and miss them will find a substitute pet at the Hotel Monaco in Seattle.

Just ask and hotel staff will deliver a goldfish (which has been named) in a bowl with food to your room for your stay.

The 189-room hotel, which opened in August, is in downtown Seattle and information is available by calling (800) 945-2240.

All aboard

Those bound for Vancouver Island still have time to catch the Princess Marguerite III ferry.

The 200-vehicle ferry runs between downtown Seattle and downtown Victoria through mid-September. The ferry leaves Pier 48 in Seattle at 7:30 a.m. and leaves Victoria’s Inner Harbour for the return trip at 1 p.m. each day. One-way fares are $29 for adults, $49 for car and driver.

For sailing information, call (800) 888-2535.

Heading south

The new “Where to Stay in Oregon” lodging directory is available from the Oregon Lodging Association.

The 88-page guide lists more than a thousand hotels, motels, B&Bs, resorts, RV parks and campgrounds, as well as plenty of tourism information numbers.

Free copies are available by calling (800) 547-7842.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo