REGIONAL DESTINATIONS

Cascade Loop: National Geographic Explorer calls the Cascade Loop "one of America's grandest, most spectacular drives." The 440-mile (704 km) loop winds through the heart of Washington State-encompassing the salty waters of Puget Sound, the lush foothills of the Cascade Mountains' western slopes, the glacier-clad peaks of North Cascades National Park, and the sun-drenched expanse of the Columbia River Valley. The loop is filled with recreational options - hiking and biking trails, powder-laden ski hills and cross-country trails, lakes and rivers for boating, rafting and fishing - and that's just the beginning. There is a wide range of accommodations from full-service resorts to rustic lodges, motels and bed & breakfasts.

Wine Country: Washington State, with over 400 wineries, is the second-largest producer of wines in the USA. Wineries are located in virtually every region of the state, but most of the wine grapes are actually grown in southeastern Washington in the Yakima, Walla Walla and Tri-Cities region. The rich sandy soil irrigated by water from the Columbia River and the long sunny days make this the ideal climate for wine grape production. The region is on the same latitude as the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France. Washington State produces more than 15 wine grapes varieties, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Syrah as the leading reds; Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier as the leading whites. It is especially exciting to be here for the fall crush or the spring barrel tasting. More...

Olympic Peninsula: Olympic National Park is the dominant geographical attraction on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and includes rugged glacier-capped mountains, over 60 miles (96 km) of wild Pacific coastline, and magnificent stands of old-growth timber and temperate rainforest. Perhaps you may catch a glimpse of a rare spotted owl or a herd of Roosevelt elk. Another key attraction is the 5.5 mile (9 km) long Dungeness Spit which was formed by the interaction between the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Dungeness River. It is the longest natural spit in the world, and a wild bird reserve - home to, or visited by, over 250 species of birds, 41 species of land mammals, and 8 kinds of marine mammals. Enjoy camping, casual walks, hiking, birding, golfing, hunting for shellfish, biking, river rafting, scuba diving, sea kayaking and more. Fish for deep-sea trophies like Chinook or Coho salmon from the Pacific Ocean, or catch Cutthroat, Rainbow or Steelhead from abundant lakes and rivers. Communities like Port Ludlow, Port Townsend, Sequim, Port Angeles, Clallam Bay/Sekiu, Forks, Aberdeen, Hoquiam and others - steeped in a rich logging, fishing and maritime heritage - offer warm hospitality, a variety of accommodations, quaint shops and galleries, and community events and festivals. In addition, several local wineries can be found along your way. At the southern end of the Peninsula, Ocean Shores' sandy beaches are ideal for walking, kite-flying, horseback riding, or just breathing in the fresh ocean air.

Portland, Oregon: Past Mount St. Helens is the City of Portland (150 miles/240 km), the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Located at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette rivers, Portland is known as the Rose City. The International Rose Test Gardens are situated in the west hills overlooking downtown with Mt. Hood in the background. This is an attraction not to be missed. A perennially popular program is the Portland Rose Festival and floral parade held each year in June. Other attractions include the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), the World Forestry Center, the Classical Chinese Garden and the Portland Art Museum. There are numerous options for getting out on the water from dining excursions to multi-day cruises of the Columbia River.

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