Rockies By Rail New Passenger Coach Now In Service For Two-Day Tours

Sun., Aug. 13, 1995

Graham Vink Travel Editor

FOR THE RECORD: Tuesday, August 22, 1995 CORRECTION: An item in the Aug. 13 Outdoors & Travel section gave an incorrect date for the Sweetgrass Ridge Bluegrass Festival. The event is Saturday, Aug. 26, in Twisp. For information, call (509)997-5857.

The first new passenger rail coach to be introduced in Canada in 40 years is now part of the Rocky Mountain Railtours fleet. The two-level dome coach includes a galley, rear observation platform and private dining area.

The company offers two-day rail tours throughout western Canada and the Rockies, with prices ranging from $332 to $2,950. For information, see a travel agent or call (800) 665-7245.

Short takes: Bits and pieces from around the Northwest:

Three long-haul trucking companies in British Columbia have volunteered to become rolling billboards for the tourism industry, featuring photographic images of the province painted on the side of their trucks.

The Over the Dam Run (6k and 10k races across the top of Grand Coulee Dam) is next Saturday,call (509) 633-3074.

The ninth annual Sagebrush Loggers Tournament in Tonasket is Aug. 26-27. For information, call (509) 486-2798.

Umbrellas up: Seattle’s popular Bumbershoot festival, celebrating the arts, marks its 25th year at the Seattle Center from Sept. 1-4.

This year’s highlight is the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar Festival, featuring interactive exhibits, a guitar competition and tribute concert.

Overall, more than 500 Northwest and international artists will perform on 15 indoor and outdoor stages. Among those scheduled to appear are 10,000 Maniacs, Michelle Shocked, Los Lobos, Robert Cray, Rory Block and Maceo Parker.

For information, call (206) 682-4-FUN.

Good eats: Tim Kelly, executive chef of the Painted Table restaurant in Seattle, leads Taste of the Northwest walking tours through Pike Place Market this summer.

The three-hour tour includes stops at popular shops, fish markets and produce stands, while Kelly discusses Northwest regional ingredients, cooking and cuisine. Plus, there’s lunch at the restaurant. For reservations and information, call the Painted Table at (206) 624-3646.

Outward bound: Odyssey Club, the Northwest’s largest travel club for seniors (50 and older), is offering an autumn color tour of British Columbia, beginning Sept. 23.

The eight-day bus tour circles the interior from Harrison Hot Springs to Valemont and the juncture of the Rocky, Caribou and Monashee mountains, plus a one-day excursion on B.C. Rail. Prices begin at $1,165 per person, based on double occupancy. For information, call (800) 937-8087 or (503) 233-9961.

Music and more:

The first Sweetgrass Ridge Bluegrass Festival is next Sunday in Twisp, with scheduled performers including Grass is Greener, John McKuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the James King Band. There’ll also be workshops, food vendors and arts and crafts. For information, call radio station KVLR at (509) 997-5858.

The Inn at Semiahmoo, a Wyndham resort near Blaine, Wash., is featuring two outdoor concerts this month as part of the Bellingham Festival of Music.

The Miami String Quartet will perform chamber music on Aug. 27, and a jazz concert will be featured Aug. 28. Tickets are $17, and the inn also has a “room with a tune” package featuring overnight accommodations, dinner for two and concert tickets for $180.

For more information, call (800) 770-7992.

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MEMO: Send information about travel opportunities around the Pacific Northwest to: Travel Editor, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.

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