Slow Down, Take Time To Enjoy The Scenery

Sun., May 30, 1999

Nina Culver Correspondent

When planning vacations, many travelers seek the fastest and most direct route to a destination, which usually means flying or driving. But it’s worth remembering that half the fun can be getting there. For people who enjoy the journey, there are several traveling alternatives.

The first option is the train. Yes, it’s slower, but it will take you places no cars can go. And the speed (or lack of it) gives you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

You can explore the Canadian Rockies aboard a Rocky Mountaineer Railtour. Choices range from the classic two-day, all-daylight tour to a 12-day expedition.

Prices range from $362 to $2,747 (US), depending on occupancy and trip length. For more information, call (604) 606-7200 or visit www.rockymountaineer.com.

If you prefer to stay in the States, there’s the Mount Hood Railroad, which follows the Hood River Valley in Oregon. The railroad offers short, four-hour tours in the morning and afternoons from Wednesday through Sunday in June, September and October. Trips are offered Tuesday through Saturday during July and August. Dinner and brunch trains run on weekends. Special events include murder mystery dinner trains, train robberies, a Halloween spook train and a circus train. Rates range from $14.95 to $22.95 for the tours, $16.95-$24.95 for special-event excursions, and $68.50-$73 for the dinner and brunch trains.

For more information, call (800) 872-4661 or visit www.mthoodrr.com.

If exploring by water is more your style, check out the tours offered by BC Ferries, which visits 46 ports along the British Columbian coastline. Packages include traveling through the Inside Passage, and can be linked to other sightseeing or rail excursions.

For more information, call (250) 386-3431 or visit www.bcferries.com.

Some people, however, prefer traveling the highways and byways in an RV as a way to visit people and places. While it sounds fun, and even a little romantic, most of us don’t have a clue about how to get started.

A new booklet, called “The ABC’s of RVing” takes a look at the frequently asked questions such as what type of RV to buy, how to get e-mail and snail mail on the road, where to dump waste tanks, and where to get RV insurance.

The book was written by Chuck Woodbury, known for his articles in “Out West.” To get a free copy, call (800) 556-3878. The booklet is also available on line at www.poulsborv.com.

Portland Rose Festival

Just about everybody has heard about the Grand Floral Parade in Portland. But many don’t realize that the Portland Rose Festival has events running the entire month of June. The parade, of course, features tons (literally) of roses, and draws about 500,000 spectators who line the streets. The parade is scheduled for June 12. Other festival highlights include a starlight parade, boat races, a rose show, concerts, an airshow, an arts festival, and fleet week, a display of boats from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Forces.

For details, call (503) 227-2681 or visit www.rosefestival.org.

Ride ‘em, cowboy

The 56th annual Lind (Wash.) Rodeo and 12th annual Combine Demolition Derby are set for the weekend of June 11-13.

Organizers expect as many as 16 combines to go at each other during Friday night’s Demolition Derby. Saturday’s activities include a parade, barbecue, rodeo and street dance. Sunday events include breakfast, more rodeo, and winding up with the Wagonettes at 3 p.m.

Admission is $7 a day or $18 for three days. Children pay less.

Lind is 17 miles south of Ritzville on Highway 395. For more information, call (509) 677-3628 or (509) 677-3536.

Houseboat joins Priest fleet

A 62-foot-long houseboat that’s 14-1/2 foot wide has been added to the fleet of Excursions Northwest on Priest Lake. It comes complete with a hot tub, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fireplace, hardwood floors….

Excursions Northwest also has rental boats on Coeur d’Alene.

For more information, call (509) 926-9196 or (800) 570-8807.

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