Northwest Magazines

EDITORS NOTES

We've been hunkered down for the winter, enjoying (for the most part) the storms that have swept the Oregon coast with fierce winds and pelting rain. We've even had snow a couple of times, an unusual sight on the dunes. But now, it's time to leave the fireplace behind and plan for spring.

This issue of Northwest Travel will take you from Eugene, Oregon, where you can enjoy the many festivities planned around the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, to Richmond, British Columbia, a hotbed of Asian food and culture. Excitement is building in Eugene as the city prepares to host not only hundreds of world-class athletes, but thousands of fans. Although tickets are scarce, the Eugene 08 Festival, a street event held outside Hayward Field, will offer live video coverage as well as all sorts of entertainment, interactive displays, merchandise, and more. So even if you don't have a ticket, you might want to head over there and get in on the contagious enthusiasm sure to be rampant this June in Track Town USA.

Also in this issue, Sue Hansen brings us a breath of spring with a roundup of Northwest flower festivals, from the venerable Rose Festival in Portland to the fragrant Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington.

Lee Juillerat takes us on a tour of wineries along the Snake River in Idaho, one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the United States. Grapes were first grown there in 1872 before Idaho even became a state, and the region quickly became known for award-winning wines. Unfortunately, the industry was shut down during Prohibition and didn’t resurface until the 1970s.

If you're in the mood to get outdoors, check out our story on volunteer vacations. While you may shell out a little cash for the opportunity to work on trails, care for animals, or staff visitor centers, the dividends are sure to make it worth it. There's nothing like beautiful scenery, fresh air, hard work, and a sense of purpose to reinvigorate the soul.

And you're sure to enjoy Robert Smith’s story on going "down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky," in this case, cruising the Oregon coast on a motorcycle. As Smith puts it, "My tall ship was a Triumph Sprint and my guiding star was a map, though it's tough to get lost when there's only one road. I also found my share of wheels kicking and winds singing. Gray mist, too. . ."

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You may have noticed that we changed the magazine’s logo. After experimenting with NWTravel, we’ve gone back to our former masthead. You, the reader, liked the old version better and were quite vocal about it. Thanks for your input, and keep it coming!

—Rosemary Camozzi