Lake offers more than fishing
It’s probably not Lake Chelan’s fault.
My friend Michael spends a lot of his vacation time there with his family. And he’ll have to forgive those of us who attend the postmortems for concluding that the purpose of these outings is singular: to add to the growing list of political, social and religious issues about which he and his father disagree. At some volume.
Given that Michael’s reports are my sole experience with Lake Chelan, I’ve not been particularly tempted to go there. But then Tia Troy, the publicity coordinator for the lake’s agency, sent me some information claiming, “Lake Chelan is a great weekend getaway (with) numerous activities for visitors.”
So on the one hand we have Michael and his warm familial stories, and on the other we have Tia, who, though presumably paid for her recommendation, has given us no reason to doubt her, either.
Why don’t I just lay it out for you and let you decide for yourself?
It might interest you to know, for example, that a dozen wineries and 200 acres of wine grapes dot the Stehekin Valley around the lake. You can attend the second annual Crush Festival on Oct. 7-8 and 14-15, sample everything from gewurztraminer to sangiovese, check out live entertainment, take a tour and more.
Should you tire of wine and long for the links, I don’t understand you at all. But you’ll find five 18-hole courses, including Desert Canyon, named the “Second Best Golf Course in Washington” by Golf Digest. There’s also a nine-hole course and a couple of putting greens.
Obviously, the lake affords an activity or two – such as fishing, boating and water skiing. You can check out 39 points of interest on a self-guided boat tour developed by the Forest Service and National Park Service.
Back on land, the Lakeshore Trail follows the north end of the lake for an easy hike or you can choose from a number of other routes. The most ambitious, Purple Creek Trail, takes you eight miles to 6,800-foot Purple Pass and another half-mile to Boulder Butte, a former fire lookout.
For a more civilized excursion, try the Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum’s Chelan Historical Walking Tour to several early businesses and civic buildings. The valley offers a range of bike trails as well.
Following all that exertion, you might be in the mood for a Chardonnay Intensive Scalp and Hair Treatment from The Spa at Lake Chelan or a Soothing Leg Gel Treatment at Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan.
Soothing leg gel sounds nice. So perhaps Lake Chelan is what you make of it.
Leave any quarrelsome relations you might have at home, and see how you do.
There’s more information at www.cometothelake.com or (800) 4CHELAN.
Gulf course
Swim with sea lions just once, and you’ll fall in love.
They are so drop-dead adorable and playful, they’re positively irresistible. And worth the trip to Gulf Islands National Park Preserve, Western Canada’s newest national park.
Maple Leaf Adventures will be more than happy to take you there by ship Oct. 11-16 or 19-24, or Nov. 2-7.
Swimming that time of year doesn’t sound terribly inviting, but you can at least visit the sea lions as they congregate on a series of islets most people never get to see. You may also get a gander at some porpoises and various sea birds, too.
Aboard the 92-foot schooner Maple Leaf, you’ll explore rainforests, intertidal areas and Salish shell midden sites. You’re welcome to help sail, and when you drop anchor for the night, to poke around on your own by kayak.
While you’re out and about, the ship’s chef will get your dinner on the table.
The five-night tour runs about $1,700, and that includes all meals, shore trips and accommodations. You’ll depart out of Sidney, B.C.
To find out more, visit www.mapleleafadventures.com or call (888) 599-5323.
Tracks of time
According to a news release I just got, “the mature lifestyle travel market continues to grow.”
Mature lifestyle travel? That sounds like a hoot!
Should you care to self-identify as mature, by all means give VIA Rail Canada a try. Their coast-to-coast trains come all decked out with Senior Companion Fares that let you bring a friend on board for 75 percent off regular fares for most premier class and sleeper class services. You have to be 60 to get the deal, but your friend can be any old age he or she likes.
Get the lowdown at www.viarail.com or (888) VIA-RAIL.
Regional events
•Fall Contact Dance Jam, Sept. 24-29, Detroit, Ore. Breitenbush Hot Springs hosts this event, open to all levels including those with no dance experience. (www. breitenbush.com/503-854-3320)
•Montana Historical Society History Conference, Sept. 28-30, Helena. Get a load of history, activities, entertainment and tours of historic places. ( www.visitmt.com /406-444-2694)
•Car is King Weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Goldendale, Wash. Maryhill Museum will host the eighth annual Concours de Maryhill Car Show with dozens of classic, sports and customized cars, kids’ fruit car races and the Maryhill Loops Road Hill Climb Race. ( www.maryhillmuseum.org /509-773-3733)