Seattle Firm Branches Out, Has Tours In Eastern Washington

Sun., May 26, 1996

Graham Vink Travel Editor

Well, it finally happened. Eastern Washington tourism has been discovered by … Seattle.

The Gray Line bus company is introducing what it calls “Cherries, Cheese and Wine” (you’ve got to admit this sounds better than “Potatoes, Wheat and Dust”), a one-day sightseeing tour that begins and ends in Seattle.

It stops at the Darigold creamery in Sunnyside, the Hogue Cellars winery in Prosser, and Chukar Cherries, a dried-fruit company, also in Prosser.

How popular is this $47 tour expected to be? Well, it’s offered exactly once, on June 25. For information, call (800) 426-7505 or (206) 624-5813.

Short takes: Bits and pieces from around the Northwest: Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma is featuring a robotic dinosaur display through Sept. 2.

The Victoria Line, which offers daily Seattle-Victoria car/passenger ferry service through Oct. 15, has opened its Seattle reservations office. Call (206) 625-1880.

Want some culture during a weekend on Whidbey? The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts opens today in Langley, offering concerts, drama and more. (360) 221-8268.

International harmonizing: Hear choirs from Italy, Holland, Japan, Germany, Lithuania and many other countries as they gather for the International Choir Festival in Missoula. The festival will be held July 17-21; all concerts are free.

For more information, call (406) 542-3481 or (406) 251-4226.

Bike Oregon: Join the Oregon Bicycle Ride and pedal your way across the state of Oregon. The ride starts Aug. 11 in LaGrande and ends the following Saturday in Pacific City.

The price of $425 includes breakfasts and dinners, gear transport, support vehicles, water stops and shower facilities. Camping spots will be arranged, but each rider will need a bedroll and tent.

For information, call (541) 385-5257.

Adventure vacations: Off The Beaten Path, a tour company, offers active trips to a variety of destinations around the West, including Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, dude ranches and several national parks.

Trips range from eight days to two weeks in length, varying in price from $895 to $3,295. For information, call (800) 445-2995.

Science for kids: The Glacier Institute, a nonprofit organization, is offering five science camps this summer in Glacier National Park for kids ages 9 to 18. Each camp session lasts six to eight days, with prices ranging from $250 to $325.

The institute also offers several adult classes in June on topics such as bird watching, wildlife observation, mountain lions, grizzly bears and native flora. The 1- to 2-day classes cost $40 to $150.

For registration or more information, call (406) 755-1211.

, DataTimes MEMO: We’re always interested in hearing about travel opportunities and events around the Pacific Northwest. Send information to: Travel Editor, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.

We’re always interested in hearing about travel opportunities and events around the Pacific Northwest. Send information to: Travel Editor, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.

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