St. Helens Observatory Opens May 17

The official opening and dedication ceremony of the Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens is May 17, just a day ahead of the 17th anniversary of the eruption.

The observatory is five miles from the mountain, at an elevation of 4,220 feet, and is the site where U.S. Geological Survey volcanologist David Johnston was monitoring the mountain when it erupted, killing him and 56 other people.

The observatory will be open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Sept. 28. Admission is $8 (for a Monument Pass), with discounts for seniors and children. For information: (360) 274-2100.

Need an excuse?

Those who need a reason to tour the wineries of the Yakima Valley now have one: The Spring Barrel Tasting is April 25-27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Travelers can visit a variety of wineries to sample unreleased wines straight from the barrel. The event is free, but visitors are asked to buy a wine glass for $2, usable at any of the wineries. For a tour map, call the Yakima Valley Wine Growers Association, (800) 258-7270.

Think it looks easy?

On the heels of a sold-out workshop for aspiring innkeepers comes “Aspiring Innkeepers Workshop II.”

Like the first one, this workshop will cover the basics of buying and running an inn. The seminar is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Waverly Place Bed & Breakfast, 709 W. Waverly Place.

The cost is $50 or $75 per couple and there’s room for only 15, so advance registration is mandatory; call Jackie Johnson, The Fotheringham House, 838-1891, for information.

Bring a brown bag lunch; coffee and tea will be served.

Back to school

Puget Sound-bound travelers can sign on with one of the 70 seminars conducted this summer by the North Cascades Institute.

The workshops are for adults only and they focus on the natural and cultural history of the North Cascades region extending to the islands in Puget Sound. Some are day-long classes, others extend over several days. For a class schedule: (360) 856-5700, ext. 209.

Leave your life jacket at home

A six-day guided field excursion through Hells Canyon in eastern Oregon will be conducted June 8-13 by the High Desert Museum in Bend, Ore.

This Hells Canyon trip, however, won’t involve whitewater. Rather, this is a llama trek.

Botanist and naturalist Janet Hohmann will lead the tour; activities include watching birds and wildlife and identifying wildflowers.

The fee of $700 includes two nights in a bed and breakfast, and llamas, meals and gear. Participants must provide their own transportation to and from Joseph, Ore., where the trip begins and ends.

For information: High Desert Museum, (541) 382-4754; registration deadline is May 9.

Standing around watching the paint dry

The annual Toppenish Arts and Crafts and Food Fair will be June 7 in conjunction with the famed Mural-In-A-Day event.

In past years, about 10,000 have gathered to watch a historic mural painted in a single day. This year - the ninth - a Rural Federal Delivery mural will be painted on the Los Murales Restaurant by artist Don Gray of Union, Ore.

The day begins with breakfast in the Post Office Park at 7 a.m. For information: (509) 865-3262.

Ride ‘em and bet on ‘em

Reno may be one of the gambling centers of the country, but come June 21, it will also be cowboy central.

The 78th annual Reno Rodeo - billed as The Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West - runs June 21-29 with a parade, concerts and a carnival as well as rodeo events.

For tickets call (800) TICRODEO; for a schedule of events, call (702) 329-3877.

, DataTimes