The whale ‘tease’ begins in Westport-Grayland
Here and There readers take note: You’ve come to expect my cetacean diatribes. Here (and there) comes another.
The nefarious folks in Westport-Grayland, Wash., have informed me of the beginning of whale watching season and their attendant frivolities.
That’s just mean.
Surely they know the lengths to which I have gone to glimpse just one blowhole, one playful tail slap, one body flop.
But all they have to say is, “Psyche!”
If you want to leave me sitting alone in the lunchroom while the popular kids point and laugh, go right ahead and watch the whales migrate from Mexico and Alaska. I don’t care.
They’ll be around until May.
The information Westport-Grayland sent says this is a “sight everyone should see.” Duh!
Further, they tell me that Washington’s best whale watching comes aboard a local charter boat, from which you’ll experience “a rare and exciting opportunity to get really close to one of nature’s most magnificent animals.”
I wouldn’t know – and that’s how they want it.
They’re just not that into me.
Those of you who aren’t marine pariahs can expect about two hours for your tour.
Your hosts also offer landlubber activities. Walk the South Jetty, climb the observation tower, visit Washington’s tallest lighthouse, and bone up on the town’s history as a summer resort for Native American tribes at the Westport Maritime Museum.
You can amuse yourself with 18 miles of ocean beach, too.
The Westport-Grayland chamber of commerce can fill you in on lodging, including special getaway packages. Call them at (800) 345-6223. There’s more at www.westportgrayland-chamber.org.
Victoria, is it?
I’m not big on stereotypes. I don’t think all babies are cute, or all doctors Scotch-swilling daily golfers.
So forgive me when I say our neighbors to the north are always so nice. I defy you to find you a single cranky Canadian in British Columbia.
I recently received a note from Melaina Haas telling me what a geographic dimwit I am. And she did it in most pleasant way possible.
She gently pointed out that Vancouver, B.C., and Victoria, B.C., are not, in fact, the same place.
Therefore, the Royal British Columbia Museum and their exhibit, “Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum” would best be found in Victoria, not Vancouver, as I so erroneously told you on March 8.
My most heartfelt apologies to all Canadians everywhere.
Discover what else I’m wrong about at www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or (250) 356-7226.
Regional events
•NEU Celebration – Mind/Body/Spirit Fair, April 18-19, Missoula. Pay tribute to nature, energy and the universe with displays, exhibitors, services and “visual splendor.” ( www.visitmt.com/ 406-227-8401)
•Olympia Wooden Boat Fair, May 9-10, Olympia. They’re presenting the history and tradition of wooden boats in South Puget Sound with “an exchange of ideas” about construction, maintenance and the like – accompanied by arts and crafts booths, the children’s boat building booth and the food fair. ( www.visitolympia.com/ 877-704-7500)