Queen Of The West Booking For 1998
The summer’s barely into the waning stage and already travel brochures for cruises next summer are off the presses and available.
Among them is the cruise schedule for the Queen of the West, which will ply the Columbia, Willamette and Snake rivers on seven-night tours.
The Queen of the West is a sternwheel-driven cruiseship with 73 suites and staterooms.
As usual, discounts for early booking are available. And, for those who can’t wait until next year, rooms are still available for the fall foliage cruises this year.
For a copy of the new 32-page brochure or other information, call (800) 434-1232.
Get a clue
Need ideas for a fall getaway in the Northwest? The new Washington State Getaway Guide for fall and winter includes information about island hopping, lighted boat parades, cross-country skiing, llama rides through the Channeled Scablands and antique hunting in the Snohomish area.
For a free copy, call (800) 890-5493.
Looking for deals?
Travelers looking for deals on trips in Idaho can check out the Hot Deals page on the web site of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association.
The page features last-minute booking and extended season trips with descriptions. The address: www.ioga.org.
Those interested in a free Idaho Travel Guide can call (800) VISITID or check it out on the Web at www.visitid.org.
Creepy, crawly exhibit
Those planning to be in the Portland area over the Labor Day Weekend can slither on over to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) for the 13th Annual Reptile and Amphibian Show.
Visitors will be able to touch many varieties of captive-bred snakes, lizards, frogs, iguanas and alligators. Highlights include a 12-foot, 200-pound anaconda. There will be workshops and speakers.
Admission to OMSI is $9.50, $8 for seniors and kids 3-17. The museum is open through the weekend from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is at 1945 SE Water Ave. in Portland. For more information: (503) 797-4000.
Bring a book bag
Avid readers and bibliophiles should mark their calendars. The annual Northwest Bookfest is Oct. 25-26 at Pier 48 in Seattle.
More than 175 authors will appear and the event includes more than 200 exhibitors.
A $5 donation at the door will go to Seattle area literacy organizations; last year the event raised $36,000.
For more information: (206) 378-1883, e-mail nwbookfest@speakeasy.org or on the Web at www.speakeasy.org/ nwbookfest.
Labor Day Seattle-style
The annual Bumbershoot arts extravaganza will fill Seattle Center Labor Day Weekend with more than 25 stages, exhibit halls and performance sites, at which more than 2,000 artists and performers will appear.
The festival, which started in 1971, showcases the gems of music, literary arts, dance, visual arts, theater, comedy, film and kids performances through the four-day run (Friday through Sept. 1).
Admission is $10 at the gate, weekend passes are $16 for two days, $29 for four days, available (with service charges) at Ticketmaster outlets. Kids age 12 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult.
For festival information and a schedule of concerts, call (206) 281-8111 or visit the Web site at www.bumbershoot.org.
, DataTimes