There’s A Wide Selection Of B&Bs; On San Juan Island

Q. We are planning a trip to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and want to stay at a bed and breakfast. Any suggestions for B&Bs and dinner restaurants? - V.H., Coeur d’Alene.

A. San Juan Island has a large selection of cozy B&Bs. Some are renovated farm houses and pastoral estates. Winter rates are often lower than summer rates. Here are two places that I have visited.

Olympic Lights on Cattle Point Road provides magnificent views of the Olympic bountains and Puget Sound. The ambience is bright, cheerful and warm. A no-shoes policy is asked because of the white carpeting throughout the living quarters. Double occupancy rates begin at $70. (360) 378-3186.

Wharfside Bed & Breakfast is a floating B&B, located on the 60-foot motor sailer Jacquelyn. It offers a nautical ambience. A skylight warms the salon on sunny days and provides a window to the stars on clear nights. The two cabins with their portholes bolster a seafaring fantasy. Rates begin at $80. (360) 378-5661.

Friday Harbor and the island offer many excellent eateries. Some are noted for their outstanding dinner fare. Here are some suggestions.

The Springtree is renowned for its Northwest cuisine with a San Juan Island accent and for its casual dining atmosphere. (360) 378-4848.

Friday Harbor House offers fine-dining ambience. (360) 378- 8455.

Roberto’s is noted for its generous servings of pasta dishes. (360) 378-6333.

The Downrigger offers a good selection of seafood. (360) 378-2700.

Information sources:

On accommodations, events and points of interest: San Juan Islands Visitor Information Service, (360) 468-3663.

For a directory of 20 B&Bs on the island and room availability information: Bed and Breakfast Association of San Juan Island, (360) 378-3030.

On Anacortes ferry schedules: Washington State Ferries, (800) 84-FERRY.

Q. We will be traveling east for Christmas for a family reunion and want to stay our first night in the Butte, Mont., area. We are amateur geologists and history buffs, and we want to combine our lodgings and attraction visits with our hobbies. Can you suggest some places with a historical flavor? - H. B-T., Mead.

A. I can recommend the Copper King B&B in Butte. It is a beautifully restored Victorian mansion that was originally owned by Sen. William Andrew Clark, who was reportedly Butte’s wealthiest copper magnate.

Construction of the home began in 1884, when Montana was still a territory. Your hosts will give you a tour of the home and share its history. A full breakfast is served. Rates range from $55 to $95. (406) 782-7580.

During your stay in Butte, I’d recommend you visit the following attractions that will be open during your winter visit.

The observation stand overlooking the Berkeley Pit, which was the largest truck-operated open pit copper mine in the United States.

The Mineral Museum on the Montana Tech campus, which has over 1,500 specimens displayed.

Take the Walking Tour of Historic Butte, which includes 40 buildings with historic plaques.

Information sources:

For more information on the historic and geologic attractions in the Butte area: Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Bureau, (800) 735-6814 or (406) 494-5595.

Q. We are planning a fall biking trip to McCall, Idaho, and we want to stay at a unique place, one that is not the usual motel setting. Any suggestions for biking trails and accommodations would be appreciated. - J.M., Deer Park.

A. The most popular bike routes in McCall are the roads around Payette Lake and the trails in Bear Basin and at Ponderosa State Park. The scenic loop route around the lake is about 23 miles. I like the Fox Run Mountain Bike Trail at the park because of the panoramic views of Payette Lake.

McCall has a good selection of accommodations, some of which are unique in my opinion. Here are some places I have visited:

The Shore Lodge is unusual in its design, compared to other motel-style facilities in town. It has rock pillars, log beam ceilings, antler chandeliers, polished wood floors and English hunting prints - all of which blend harmoniously to accent the gentleman’s hunting lodge decor. Double occupancy winter rates range from $51 to $79, depending on views. The reduced rates are available during non-holiday periods. (800) 657-6464.

The building now occupied by the Northwest Passage B&B was used to house some of the cast and crew during the two years of filming of MGM’s “Northwest Passage,” starring Spencer Tracy. It was the first movie filmed 100 percent on location.

Your hosts can point out which rooms were used by Tracy and Robert Young. A full country breakfast is served. Rates are between $60 and $150, depending on choice of room, suite or apartment. (208) 634-5349.

The Hotel McCall has a railroading history dating back to the early 1900s. The exterior walls are vertical railroad ties. The 22 rooms are decorated in a 1930s style, and the headboards on the beds are made from old doors. Antique furnishings accent the roms and common areas. Homemade cereals and muffins, fresh fruit and juices are provided for guests in the morning. Cookies and milk are served at bedtime. Double occupancy rates begin at $57. (208) 634-8105.

Information Sources:

For information on other accommodations, events and points of interest in the McCall area: McCall Chamber of Commerce, (208) 634-7631.

For biking information at Ponderosa State Park: (208) 634- 2164.

For biking trail information in the Payette National Forest: McCall Ranger District, (208) 634-0408.

MEMO: Send your Northwest travel questions to: Travel Editor, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; or fax to (509) 459-5098.

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