It’s up to you to have a whale of a time
Well, well. Here they come, crawling back again.
And if they think I’m showing after the many, many times they’ve stood me up, they are messing with the wrong girl.
You may recollect – if you read this column regularly – how many good-faith efforts I have made to see a whale. And it’s not like I just invite one over to my house or anything. No, I’ve been to their neighborhood, to absolutely no avail.
So now they’re throwing a celebration of their migration past Vancouver Island’s western coast and they sent me a news release about it. Some 25,000 of them say they’ll make the trip through Sunday.
I’ve got a news release for them: They can count me out this time.
But I won’t stop you if you want to go.
The Pacific Rim Whale Festival promises 75 “fun and educational” events in Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim Nature Preserve in addition to the ostensible whales. Here are a few highlights:
•Thursday, you can take a boat tour and assist a researcher. Or if that doesn’t do it for you, there’s a traditional cedar weaving workshop, the annual rubber fish race and an “intimate evening” with “Highlander” actor Jim Byrnes, who, it turns out, also plays the blues.
•On Friday, the Raincoast Education Society will take you on an interpretive walk through the rainforest, and later a talk on what gray whales eat will enlighten you about their “biologically unique habits.”
It’s also “Maritime Kids Day,” complete with a boat building workshop and “sea creature activities” for the young ‘uns.
•Saturday kicks off with the “Kids Mudflat Scavenger Hunt,” the “Parade of Whales & Wonders” and the annual “Pet and Doll Parade,” followed by Marine Mammal Research Day.
For $79, you’ll take a “fun-filled” research trip in Barkley Sound looking for seals, eagles and sea birds. You’ll notice they don’t mention whales.
•Sunday morning, you can help out at the “Clean Ocean Conservation Beach Clean” and reward yourself at the closing ceremonies with a salmon barbecue featuring the Khowutzun Tzinquaw Dancers and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Hereditary Whaling Chief Elmer Frank in a rare public speaking appearance.
That’s only scratching the surface. The whales have additional information for you at www.pacificrim whalefestival.com or (250) 726-7798.
Drinking and cruising
My friend Ben says this column contains way too many alcohol-related traveling opportunities. But you people out there must like them, because they just keep coming.
The AAA, for example, wouldn’t schedule a Wines of Washington Coastal Cruise if they weren’t sure someone was coming – with $399 in hand.
That’s for an interior stateroom based on double occupancy. If you and your companion want to see the water, it’ll cost each of you $449.
The cruise sets sail from San Diego on April 26, heading for Vancouver, B.C., by April 30. Along the way, the cruise offers “exclusive” wine tastings, winemaker lunches and dinners, educational presentations and “themed discussions.”
You’ll make a stop in Seattle for an optional tour of Washington’s largest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle.
For more information, call (800) 430-9001 or visit www.AAA.com.
Regional events
•Rabbit Romp, Saturday, Portland. The Oregon Zoo celebrates spring with egg hunts every 20 minutes. Children from 2 to 10 will be divided into age groups, then turned loose to find candy eggs and prizes. The Romp also includes games, photo opportunities and a petting zoo. ( www.oregonzoo.com; 503-226-1561)
•Scraps and Threads annual Quilt Show, April 25-27, Eureka, Mont. Just like the name says: quilts, quilt-related vendors, quilt-related demonstrations and a tearoom. ( www.visitmt.com; 406-889-5935)
•Ellensburg National Art Show and Auction, May 16-18, Ellensburg. Organizers promise “talented new artists and nationally acclaimed artists” ready to show you or sell you their original work and prints. ( www.visitellensburg.com; 509-962-2934)