This Year, Resolve To Hit Good Spots
OK, now then (as my dad used to say), where were we before the Christmas Fund jingled by and usurped all our time and energy? Hmmm. Oh, yes, travel.
Did anyone take the free advice I gave last January to resolve to write down the places in this part of our planet that you’d like to visit?
Thought not. Me neither. Let’s try it again. If we make a list, we’re more apt to actually make these little jaunts.
One place I really want to visit is the Oregon Coast when whales migrate along the shoreline from their summer place in Alaska to “winter” in Mexico. They’ve taken that route a couple times since I first wrote about them. My life won’t be complete until I take a picture of a great whale flipping its tail as it plunges deep into the sea. I feel the same way about wanting to photograph elephants and lions in Kenya. But, I digress.
Here’s a list of intriguing Northwest places to visit this winter, along with their telephone numbers and Web addresses to learn more.
No. 1 on the list (these are my priorities) would be to watch Pacific Ocean storms crash onshore along the Oregon or British Columbia coasts. I’ve heard they’re very dramatic.
The west coast of Vancouver Island faces the Pacific Ocean, and each winter Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show as storms roll in from Alaska. “Pacific howlers,” waves as high as 40 feet, make stupendous sights as they crash against the rugged rocks.
Hotels in the B.C. towns of Ucluelet and Tofino offer winter rates through Feb. 20. Some are known for prime storm-watching vantage points. You can stay warm and comfy inside, sipping hot cider, while the weather rages outside.
A Snug Harbour Inn, in the fishing village of Ucluelet, has four rooms with fireplaces and views of the rugged coastline. Rain gear is loaned to guests who want to venture out of doors. Rates range from $105 to $140, American, a savings of 25 percent over summer rates.
Wickaninnish Inn at Tofino sits on a rocky promontory at Chesterman Beach (I love these names) and has 46 rooms with private balconies, soaking tubs, fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows. The four-star inn ranges from $127 to $154 U.S. - about half of the summer season prices.
There are other spots you can check out through Tourism Vancouver Island at (205) 754-3500, or its Web site at www.islands.bc.ca. Reservations can be made by calling (800) HELLO BC (otherwise dialed as 435-5622.)
The best way to explore the west coast of Vancouver Island is to travel by car via BC Ferries. Call (250) 386-3431 or visit the Web site at www.bcferries.com.
It’s crabbing time at Newport, Ore., and experts are predicting another good season. Last season’s crab harvest was 2 million pounds more than the previous year.
The commercial Dungeness crab season generally begins the first of December and continues through mid-August. You might think there’s no need to rush on over, August is so far away, but peak harvest is the first six to eight weeks - which takes us to the middle of February. So you’d better not wait too long.
For more information, contact the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce at (800) 262-7844 or via the Web at www.DiscoverNewport.com.
The Central Oregon Coast Association is offering its “Off-Season Savings PlayBook” with discounts from B&Bs to vacation rental properties, from eateries to wineries, from the towns of Otis to Yachats in Lincoln County.
There are two-for-one room rates and total package discounts that include the Shilo Oceanfront Resorts in Newport and Lincoln City; Beachcomber’s Haven rentals and Westin Salishan Lodge & Golf Resort in Gleneden Beach; Inn at Otter Crest in Otter Rock, and Hallmark Resort in Newport.
For the Off-Season Savings PlayBook, call (800) 767-2064; e-mail coca@newportnet.com; and the Internet at www.newportnet.com/coca.
If anyone actually does compile a list of places to go and things to see, consider sharing it with Here & There.
To submit an item for Here & There, write to Beverly Vorpahl, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99201; or e-mail to bevv@spokesman.com. Deadline for submission is three weeks before an event.