DISCOVER the Northwest: SPRING/SUMMER 2001

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Olympia, Washington

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DISCOVER SPRING/SUMMER 2001
ROMANCE OF THE RAILS
	Pleasures of train travel return to delight new generations of travelers BETSY MODEL, FOR THE OLYMPIA It's easy to dream on a train, even in daylight with your eyes wide open and the sound of steel wheels on steel rails clattering beneath you. As your car rocks gently back and forth, lulling you into relaxation, it's easy to dream of settlers coming west, of Agatha Christie mysteries, of dinner in the diner, of '30s and '40s movies that were set aboard passenger trains.
Spectacular Canadian scenery awaits THE OLYMPIAN The options for exploring British Columbia, Alberta and the rest of Canada by rail are as varied as the spectacular scenery you'll see there. Plan your trip Map: Rail travel in British Columbia	Amenities galore on West Coast routes THE OLYMPIAN Whether your travels take you south or east in the United States, journeys aboard a revitalized rail network offer doses of on-board elegance to match the passing views. First person Map: Amtrak Coast Starlight route
All aboard Mount Hood's 'Backwards Railroad' RON COWAN, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- The Mount Hood Railroad is not the sleek, fast face of rail travel.	Local excursions available for South Sound rail fans ALEC CLAYTON, FOR THE OLYMPIAN To put it mildly, Donovan Gray loves trains. Ask him about the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad or the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, and he gushes like a bride talking about the love of her life. No wonder, he courted his wife on the Spirit of Washington. Rail excursions around Puget Sound
EAST OF THE CASCADES
Days of wine and music RANDY BUCKNER, FOR THE OLYMPIAN A trip to wine country doesn't have to involve a transatlantic flight to France. Yakima Valley resources
Deep into the fun SHARON WOOTTON, FOR THE OLYMPIAN Bone-warming heat and a large body of cooling water that stretches 55 miles into the saw-toothed mountains of North Cascades National Park are part of the temptation of the Chelan area. Chelan events Lake Chelan resources	Altitude adjustment CHRIS THOMAS, THE OLYMPIAN Central Oregon's status as year-round playground is no longer the secret it once was. With more people heading east across the Cascades to live and play in the high desert, the region's cities are among the Northwest's fastest-growing. But there is still plenty of space in Central Oregon for you to truly get away from it all, be it for one day or four weeks. Central Oregon resources
ALONG THE COAST
Places to go if you want to slide ALEC CLAYTON, FOR THE OLYMPIAN With harsh winds and pounding surf torturing vast expanses of gray beach and rock, the Long Beach Peninsula is a storied place of romance and mystery. Long Beach Peninsula resources	Light vacation RON COWAN, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE The Pacific Ocean may look placid and benign to modern coast visitors, but navigators of the 19th century had reason to dread the waters off Oregon.
AROUND PUGET SOUND
Islands to explore SHARON WOOTTON, FOR THE OLYMPIAN The world won't come to an end if you pass by Friday Harbor without stopping on a visit to the San Juan Islands. But make one stop anyway, for history's sake. Four islands, four different flavors to experience San Juan Islands resources	Walks of history DAVE WORTMAN, FOR THE OLYMPIAN SNOHOMISH -- Darlene Huntington stares out the window of the historic Blackman House and down toward First Street, Snohomish's main drag through town. Her expression shows a hint of nostalgia. Snohomish resources
TO THE NORTH
International flavor THE OLYMPIAN Sleek and modern, Vancouver is nestled between ocean and mountains. This is truly an international city, with European, Asian and Indian influences. Vancouver resources	This state park rocks GANNETT NEWS SERVICE Look one minute and you might see a wave, bubbles or sponge. Look back, and you might see something else. Bird sanctuary a year-round treat
RESOURCES
TOURIST INFORMATION NORTHWEST FESTIVALS	Section editors : Carolyn Cox Jerry Wakefield Section designer: Chris Thomas Graphics: Chris OBrion

The Olympian - Olympia, Washington