For Outdoor Splendor, Follow Trail Of The Great Bear
Q:I would like to know where to locate more information on The Trail of the Great Bear. - G.N., Newport. Wash. A: The Trail of the Great Bear is a scenic corridor stretching from our nation’s first national park (Yellowstone), through the world’s first international peace park (Waterton-Glacier) to Canada’s first national park (Banff).
The grizzly bear was chosen as the trail’s symbol because the territory was (and still is) the historic home of the Spirit Bear, an important cultural symbol of the Native American Tribes who live in the region. The spirit of the bear can be sensed and appreciated while visiting the cultural and historic museums, Native Peoples’ reservations and wildlife refuges found along the corridor. The Trail’s seasonal changes and unique features invite year-round visitations.
INFORMATION SOURSES:
For a free copy of the Trail of the Great Bear Adventure Directory, call the Trail’s Montana office in Deer Lodge, (406) 846-2670 or the Alberta office in Waterton Lakes National Park, (403) 859-2663. Fax requests to (403) 859-2621.
Montana Tourism, (800) 548-3390.
Alberta Tourism, (800) 661-8888.
For an in-depth guide to traveling the international scenic corridor, purchase “Trail of the Great Bear” by Bruce Weide (Falcon Press).
Q: I would like some information about oysters and where I can pick my own when I visit the Washington coast. I’d also like to try shucking and shooting an oyster. - J.T.W. Sr., Spokane.
A: Not everyone can bring themselves to suck (shoot) a raw oyster out of its shell. You’ll want to visit an oyster farm or roadside seafood stand to learn how to open (shuck) an oyster.
Many Washington oyster farms rely on natural spawning, which takes place in the summer months (June and July) when the water temperature is warmer. Spawning oysters are soft and mushy and are not considered choice fare. However, several oyster farms grow triploids, which are sexless oysters that do not spawn and can be harvested year-round. The triploids are a product of genetic engineering of the popular Pacific oyster by the University of Washington. You won’t notice any difference in the taste.
Brady’s Oyster Farm (360-268-0077 or 800-572-3252) at milepost 32 on Highway 105 near Westport grows triploids and allows visitors to pick their own oysters, depending on tide levels. Call ahead for the best tides. The farm also hosts an annual oyster feed on the first Saturday in August.
The Long Beach Peninsula has several oyster festivals each year. The Ilwaco Oyster Festival will be June 17 and 18. The Jazz and Oyster Festival at Oysterville will be held August 20.
I recommend a visit to the Willapa Bay Interpretive Center (360-665-4547) in Nahcotta, which is open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays between the first weekend in May and the last weekend in October. Another point of interest is the Nahcotta Tidelands Interpretive Site at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Willapa Bay Field Station (360) 665-4166 on Sand Ridge Road in Nahcotta.
INFORMATION SOURSES:
For festival details and general tourism information for the Long Beach Peninsula, call the Long Beach Peninsula Visitor Bureau, (800) 451-2542.
Custom Tailored Tours offers guided trips to the Long Beach Peninsula and Washington coast region. Tours are available to oyster farms, festivals and related activities. (800) 391-5761 or (360) 256-0536.
Q: I am interested in doll collecting. Are there any places to visit where I can get an appraisal and learn some history about one of my dolls? - J.J-L., Kellogg.
A: The doll maker was one of history’s earliest artists, and he or she captured and detailed the culture and beauty of various societies just as exquisitely as any art piece by Rembrandt or Michelangelo.
You can get an appraisal and some history on a doll at regional doll shows and at some antique shows.
Doll and teddy bear lovers should visit the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art (206-455-1116) in Bellevue. It has an extensive collection of dolls, teddy bears, toys and miniatures, all presented to highlight the captivating beauty of each treasure and to reflect their cultural importance to the world’s changing societies and values.
The museum does not provide appraisals, but the staff will help identify a doll, its history and its maker. A reference library is available by prior appointment. The museum is open daily.
INFORMATION SOURSES:
The following doll show promoters can provide appraisals and cultural histories on a doll and information about regional and state shows.
Richard Schiessl promotes the Quality Doll and Teddy Bear Shows throughout the Pacific Northwest. Shows will be held at the Spokane Fairgrounds on May 20 and 21, at the Puyallup Fairgrounds on June 24 and 25, and at the Portland Expo Center on August 26 and 27. (503) 284-4062.
Julie Scott promotes several shows in the Renton, Washington area. (206) 453-9822.
Arlaine Abellera promotes shows in the Lynnwood and Monroe, Wash. areas. (206) 483-5321.
Send your Northwest travel questions to: Travel Editor, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; or fax to 459-5098.
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