52 Weekends

Photo: Courtesy Monashee Adventure Tours

Biking near Kelowna, BC Riders pedal along the Kettle Valley Railway.

July

27. Greenbank Farms Loganberry Festival

If you’ve never experienced the loganberry taste sensation, then make plans to attend Whidbey Island’s Loganberry Festival at Greenbank Farms, July 23 & 24 (greenbankfarm.com). During the two-day celebration, you can sample loganberry wine, truffles, jams, syrups, and candy, or pluck berries straight from the fields. When you’ve had your fill of loganberries, drop into Prima Bistro (primabistro.com) for trout grenobloise and sleep off your food hangover at the Guest House Log Cottages (360-678-3115; guesthouselogcottages.com).

Getting there 1½ hours north on I-5 to Mukilteo, ferry to Whidbey

28. Take a Cowboy Holiday

Anywhere else, and a clanging dinner bell might seem desperate, a little put-on. But at the Covered Wagon Ranch (800-995-4237; coveredwagonranch.com) —a dude ranch in southwest Montana and spitting distance from Yellowstone Park—it works. The cowboy way carries over to the 1920s-era log cabins, heaping egg-and-meat plates at breakfast, and stars that open up in the black sky each night. Before you leave the Big Sky state, drive an extra 20 miles north of Bozeman to sink your teeth into the prime rib at Sir Scott’s Oasis Steakhouse (406-284-6929)—it will guarantee your return if nothing else does.

Getting there 1¾ hours to Bozeman on Horizon Airlines (alaskaair.com), 1¼-hour drive to the ranch

29. A Doggone Good Weekend

Is Fido really your best friend? We’re not convinced—and neither is he—until you’ve treated him to a doggy weekend in Redmond, site of Marymoor Park, the biggest freaking dog playground in the land. He gets to roam 40 acres off-leash and fraternize with other dogs. And what exactly do you get out of the deal? Let poochy cool his heels in your suite at pet-friendly Residence Inn Marriott (425-497-9226; marriott.com) while you take a dip in the pool or paw a few blocks over to the Matador (425-883-2855; matadorseattle.com) to fetch goat cheese–stuffed jalapeños and a margarita or a Corona or four. You’ve earned it.

Getting there 20 minutes east on WA 520

30. Tip Back Pinot in the Willamette Valley

Join Oregon’s oenophiles—and sample more than 250 wines—at the International Pinot Noir Celebration, July 29–31 (ipnc.org) in McMinnville. Soak up all that vino with steak tartare and escargot at Bistro Maison (503-474-1888; bistromaison.com), then roll seven miles down the road to Abbey Road Farm Bed and Breakfast (503-852-6278; abbeyroadfarm.com), which you’ll be sharing with chickens, goats, and jackasses—real ones, not just some guys who drank too much pinot and wandered onto the property.

Getting there 4 hours south on I-5, west on OR 99

31. Bike in the BC High Line

Ed Kruger, owner of Monashee Adventure Tours (888-762-9253; monasheeadventuretours.com), near Kelowna, British Columbia, has biked the Kettle Valley Railway for over 19 years. Pedal an average of 15 to 30 miles a day and “Trailhead Ed” rewards you with wine stops and award-winning restaurants such as Bouchons Bistro (250-763-6595; bouchonsbistro.com), which serves French indulgences like housemade duck pate and pork tenderloin medallions. On the last day, after a train ride through Prairie Valley, you’ll spend your last afternoon in the Sumac Ridge Estate Winery (250-494-0451; sumacridge.com), the oldest operating estate winery in BC, for a few sips or maybe bottle of one of their best sparkling wines.

Getting there 6 hours north on I-5, east on BC 97

August

Photo: Rhys Logan

The Omak Stampede Get a little bit country at the most exhilarating rodeo in the state.

32. Fly Like a Kite

Cascade Kiteboarding (541-647-6373; cascadekiteboarding.com) provides instruction along the Columbia River Gorge via a radio-controlled helmet. Instead of watching your instructor yell, scream, and wave his hands at you as you deafly wave back, he can calmly let you know that, in five seconds, you’re going to collide with one of the gorge’s waterfalls. Unzip the wet suit for rest at the Best Western Hood River Inn (800-828-7873; hoodriverinn.com). Then head down to the Cebu Lounge (hoodriverinn.com/cebu.htm) for your choice of 15 appetizers for $4 or less during happy hour.

Getting there 3¾ hours south on I-5, then east on I-84

33. This Brew’s for You

The suds do flow in Joseph, in the mountains of eastern Oregon, during the Bronze, Blues and Brews Fest, August 13 (bronzebluesbrews.com). Sample the 50-plus microbrews on tap—perfect for washing down burgers and dancing to national and local blues bands. Sleep it all off and fuel up on omelets in the morning at Bronze Antler Bed and Breakfast (541-432-0230; bronzeantler.com).

Getting there 7 hours east on I-90, east on I-82, east on OR 204, east on OR 82

34. No Animals Were Harmed in the Making of this Travel Suggestion

The last time we advised readers to motor over to Omak in north central Washington for The Omak Stampede, August 11–14 (509-826-1002; omakstampede.org), our inbox filled with animal-rights missives admonishing us for promoting the rodeo’s signature event, the Suicide Race, wherein riders gallop their steeds as fast as they can down a 225-foot cliff and into the Okanogan River. So whatever you do partner, don’t go to the Omak Stampede for a superfun weekend, or sleep at the Omak Inn (509-826-3822; omakinnwa.com). And don’t, for God’s sakes, belly up to the Breadline Café (509-826-5836; breadlinecafe.com) for a beer and a taste of the juiciest 10-ounce steak ever.

Getting there 4 hours east on I-90, north on WA 97

35. Float a Boat and Go Remote

Yeah, we’ve all heard stories about your trip to the San Juan Islands. But we remain unimpressed until you’ve sailed to the San Juan Islands. Commission your own vessel via ABC Yacht Charters (800-426-2313; abcyachtcharters.com) in Anacortes and set a course for remote—like Robinson Crusoe remote—Sucia and Patos islands (parks.wa.gov) or migrate with orcas up Haro Strait, then follow the wind to Friday Harbor to nosh on black cod fillet at Coho Restaurant (360-378-6363; cohorestaurant.com).

Getting there 1½ hours north on I-5 to Anacortes, then however long it takes you and your crew to get your yacht to the islands

Pages:12345678

Published: January 2011