A few tales/tips from others

I‘m back.

You may not have noticed, but I took two weeks off. And much as I enjoy telling you all where to go, it was nice to have a break.

So to extend my holiday a bit, let’s turn today’s Here & There over to a couple of other writers I know. (If you would like to write the column for me in the future, feel free. Among the rewards: You might get your name in teeny, tiny type as mine is above. And then there’s … well, I guess that’s about it.)

We’ll start with Robyn Dunlap. Normally, she toils in the corporate communications department at Avista. But when she and her sister Karen recently made a pilgrimage to Portland, I deputized Robyn to gather some tips for you. (You’re welcome.)

She comes from a family of spunky women: Karen fled the Northwest to start her own coffee roastery in Hawaii, and their mother, Irene, is a watercolor-painting pistol in Cannon Beach, Ore.

So I figured they’d come home with some good suggestions. And with no further ado, here they are:

“Item No. 1: Hotel Vintage Plaza

“We had the coolest room. It had two levels, and the bathroom had a huge, really deep jetted tub. It was wonderful,” Robyn reports.

I’m not sure what else you could possibly want to know – or why you would ever leave such a room – but in the interest of full disclosure, I’ll tell you that Portland’s Hotel Vintage Plaza, like its sister in Seattle, Hotel Vintage Park, celebrates the wine industry by naming each room after an in-state winery or vineyard.

The theme continues at nightly social hours in the lobby, featuring the region’s wines, of course.

The 107-room boutique hotel – Robyn calls it “Old World European” – sits a few blocks from Portland’s Pioneer Square, with easy access to shopping, entertainment and the downtown waterfront.

There’s more information at www.vintageplaza.com or (800) 263-2305.

“Item No. 2: Spa Sassé

While Hotel Vintage Plaza offers in-room spa services, Robyn and Karen ventured around the corner to Spa Sassé for “the best pedicures we’d probably had in our lives. When my sister and I travel, we like to pamper ourselves.”

If you’re a fellow believer in luxury, you’ll find plenty from which to choose at Spa Sassé, including salon services, laser skin treatments and a potpourri of massages.

The “Thalasso Hyromassage Bath” caught my eye on the spa’s Web site. It combines soft music and candlelight with underwater jets, essential oils and lyophilized seaweeds.

I’m not sure I’m lyophilized seaweed-worthy. But you very well might be, and for $35 per half hour you can get some. Visit www.spasasse.com to find out more.

“Item No. 3: Voodoo Doughnut

When the clubs close, the people of Portland get their doughnut on.

Open 22 hours a day, Voodoo Doughnut turns out apple fritters they claim are “as big as your head,” ribald creations for bachelorette parties, the signature voodoo doll doughnut filled with raspberry jam, and lots more.

“The have all sorts of odd combinations and flavors of doughnuts,” Robyn said, “like a maple bar with bacon on it.”

Be prepared to wait for it, though: “The shop’s about the size of a closet and they were very busy.”

You can get a look at the Voodoo menu at voodoodoughnut.com. Or call (503) 241.4704.

“Item No. 4: teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland

“Amazing truffles.”

As far as I’m concerned, that’s all Robyn needs to say.

You can order from the Zurich-based chocolatier at www.teuscherportland.com or call (503) 827-0587.

Think of Robyn – and thank her in your heart – as you savor your champagne chocolate treat. It’s the least you could do.

Fernie for all

David Camp is one of the creative geniuses at Spokane’s miller.whiterunkle ad agency. But for our purposes here today, he’s an evangelist for Fernie, British Columbia.

“My wife brought it to my attention,” he said.

During her days running photo shoots for a little outdoors outfit called REI, David’s wife spent a lot of time with the staff at Whistler.

“She asked them where they go on vacation,” he said. “They said, ‘Fernie.’ She said, ‘Where?’ “

Camp filed that away and over the holidays he finally packed up the family – including Galen, 12, and his sister, Ruby, now 9 – to see what all the fuss was about.

“It’s a magical little place in southeastern B.C., where the powder is so deep you have to ski with a snorkel,” he said.

The Camps drove there from Spokane – about a five-hour trip.

“Fernie is beautiful,” Camp said. “Just before you get there, you enter the Canadian Rockies in a very grand way. They just suddenly appear.”

While he spent a good portion of his time at Fernie Alpine Resort devoted to parental duties (“It’s a terrific hill for kids, with lots of accessible green runs”), Camp managed to get away for about an hour a day for some more adult fun.

“That gave me time for one run down the Currie Bowl. It was magical,” he said. “I got some first tracks.”

Fernie’s longest run, Falling Star, covers three miles, and the mountain’s total vertical rise exceeds 2,800 feet.

“The terrain is a giant series of bowls,” Camp explains. “I’ve read that they have more explosives there than anyplace in Canada. The day begins and ends with helicopters and dynamite.”

With the snow thus properly arranged, the mountain stands prepared for the 13,716 skiers it can handle per hour.

All those folks need something to do at the end of the day, too, and Camp said there’s a pretty good restaurant scene in Fernie.

“It’s a little logging and mining town going through a transformation,” he said. “It’s my feeling that people from Calgary are just starting to discover Fernie.”

You can do the same at www.skifernie.com or www.fernie.com. Make a reservation at the resort by calling (877) 333-2339.

Regional events

“Seattle Roadster Show, March 2-4, Seattle. If you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll find hundreds of hot rods, customs, muscle cars, motorcycles and the like. (www.hotrodshows.com/877-236-0632)

“Snowboard Jam, March 3-4, Missoula. A cash purse and prizes are at stake in giant slalom, slope style jam and a monster air competitions (www.visitmt.com/406-549-9777)