B.C. Rockies Beautiful In Fall

Sun., Sept. 3, 2000

Chris Wille Travel Editor

Autumn in British Columbia leaves a memorable impression, with bright yellows painted against a backdrop of green fir on the slopes of ravines, hills and mountains. Splashes of red appear every now and again.

Rocky Mountaineer Railtours is offering savings of up to 23 percent on all October train trips and some dates in September. The daylight journeys follow the rails between Vancouver and either Banff or Jasper, with an overnight stay in Kamloops.

The route clings to river banks and cliffs, passes over the Rocky Mountains, and traverses farms and ranches. Wildlife sightings are a high point.

Prices for the two-day excursion start at $387 per person, double occupancy. Forty different packages are available, with some trips offering extra days at the beginning and end of the rail tour. The trains feature both regular coaches and dome cars.

Air fare to Canada is not included.

For details, contact your travel agent or Rocky Mountaineer Railtours at (800) 665-7245 or on the Web at www.rockymountaineer.com.

Montana not all up in smoke

Flames and smoke aren’t blanketing the entire state of Montana.

Yet that’s the image state tourism officials are combatting, primarily through a Web site, www.visitmt.com.

The site offers updates on the state’s fires and tells potential visitors that many big attractions aren’t choked with smoke. Both Yellowstone and Glacier national parks remain open.

The Web page also has links to the National Interagency Fire Center and other sites that detail firefighting efforts in the West.

In the Flathead Valley, tourism officials are staffing a phone line (800-543-3105) that offers updates on the smoke and fires in the southwestern part of the state. Information is also available at www.fcvb.org.

Seattle salmon festival

Seattle and Native Americans mark the annual return of salmon to the rivers of the Northwest with a popular gathering called the Salmon Homecoming Celebration.

Last year, a record 55,000 people packed the city’s downtown waterfront for the event. This year’s edition will be held Thursday through Sept. 10 on Piers 62/63 and Waterfront Park, south of the Seattle Aquarium.

One of the celebration’s highlights is the traditional canoe-welcoming ceremony, at 11 a.m. Saturday at Waterfront Park. At least eight dugout canoes (each hand-carved and one more than a century old) will take part in this generations-old ritual paddle from Elliott Bay to shore. Participating tribes include the Hoh, Thaola, Quileute, Puyallup and Muckleshoot.

Other highlights include native dance, theater, ceremonial presentations, storytelling, salmon bake and more. The pow wow will be held Saturday and Sept. 10 from noon to 10 p.m. on Piers 62/63.

For more information, call (206) 386-4320 or go online at www.salmonhomecoming.org.

Regional events

Montana Festival of the Book, Sept. 8-9, Missoula. The state celebrates reading and writing books, with more than 70 of the region’s writers offering readings, exhibits, demonstrations and entertainment. Info: (406) 543-8459, or online at www.bookfest-mt.org.

Germanfest, Sept. 10, Missoula. Annual celebration of German culture, with music, children’s activities, food and drink. Info: (406) 721-9620.

This sidebar appeared with the story: CHECK IT OUT Fall travel guide

Looking for ideas on fall travel? Please see our special Fall Travel section, inside today’s newspaper.

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