Compass American Guides: Pacific Northwest, 2nd Edition

Created by local writers and photographers, Compass American Guides are the ultimate insider's guides, providing in-depth coverage of the history, culture and character of America's most spectacular destinations.  Covering everything there is to see and do as well as choice lodging and dining, these gorgeous full-color guides are perfect for new and longtime residents as well as vacationers who want a deep understanding of the region they're visiting. Outstanding color photography, plus a wealth of archival images Written and photographed by local residents Best seaside and mountain resorts 29 detailed color maps to all regions and cities Wineries of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia Spectacular photography and archival paintings Literary excerpts and topical essays Ferry trips to the San Juan and Gulf Islands Northwest cuisine -- from buying the freshest seafood to dining at sophisticated city bistros About the authors John Doerper has been traveling the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years, enjoying its beaches, inns, restaurants, and prime camping sites.  He is the author of four food books describing the pleasures of travel on the Pacific Coast, including Wine Country for Compass American Guides.  He has acted as editor and columnist for several publications and has published articles in Travel & Leisure and Pacific Northwest Magazine.  Mr. Doerper in the publisher and editor of Pacific Epicure, A Quarterly Journal of Gastronomic Literature. Judy Jewell who wrote much of the Oregon section of this book has traveled all over the state and has twice swum the Columbia River cross-channel swim.  She has worked for many years as a book buyer for Powell's Travel Store in Portland. About the photographer Greg Vaughn is a freelance photographer specializing in travel, nature, and enviromental concerns.  His award-winning imagery has appeared in magazines such as National Geographic, Outside, National Wildlife, Sierra, Natural History, and Travel & Leisure.  He was the principal photographer for two books about Hawaii as well as Compass American Guide: Oregon.  Greg lives in Eugene, Oregon, with his wife and two sons.

The Pacific Northwest's coastline is one of quiet river estuaries, sand dunes, and rock-walled fjords.  Dense forests border the shore and tall alpine peaks rise above the horizon.  The beauty of the landscape and the quality of the cuisine in sophisticated Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland attract an ever greater number of visitors.  But the spaces are so vast, no one feels crowded.



VANCOUVER AND FRASER RIVER VALLEY

Bordered by saltwater fjords, towered over by alpine peaks, Vancouver truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Here you can sail in the morning and ski in the afternoon. But the city has other attractions as well: excellent accommodations, theaters, art galleries, museums, sports arenas, and restaurants, including some of the best Chinese restaurants this side of Hong Kong. The Fraser rises in the Rocky Mountains and cuts a swath across the wilds of central British Columbia before it descends to tidewater in a deep, rocky  gorge. Before reaching salt water, it flows through a beautiful pastoral valley bounded by tall mountain ranges to the north, east, and southeast.  


VICTORIA and VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C.

Enjoy Victoria's lovely English colonial architecture and views of its beautiful harbor. Sip afternoon tea in the lobby of the Empress Hotel or in the tropical lushness of the Crystal Garden. And relax. Victoria is a very laid-back city, just made for taking it easy.


Beyond the city lies the misty west coast of Vancouver Island, a wonderland of deep fjords, rocky islands, and remote sandy beaches where the only noise you hear is the roar of the surf, the lonely croak of a raven, or the splash of a gray whale. There are few towns here and even fewer roads, making this a great region to explore by kayak or canoe. The rain-sheltered east coast of the island has coves and beaches warm enough for taking a summer swim.


THE ISLANDS

Incredibly beautiful and rugged, the San Juan and Gulf islands are but a short boat or plane ride from the major metropolitan cities of the Pacific Northwest. Rocky cliffs and sandy beaches alternate along the maze of tidal waterways that resemble white-water rivers at the change of the tide. Here mountains rise straight from the sea. In quiet bays, the flexible boughs of red cedar hang out over the water and catch eelgrass at low tide.


WASHINGTON'S NORTHWEST INTERIOR

With its jagged, razor-sharp peaks flanked by glaciers that glow with an inner blue-green light, the North Cascades are among the most beautiful mountains found anywhere. Rocky islands and reedy shores attract birdwatchers rivers and lakes attract fishermen.


SEATTLE

A vibrant, modern city, facing the blue waters of Puget Sound, Seattle has more restaurants and  museums than any other Washington city. To see the city at its best, take a harbor tour, which will also take you into the ship canal and through the locks connecting Lake Washington to Elliott Bay, or grab a window table in a waterfront restaurant just at sunset.


OLYMPIC PENINSULA AND WASHINGTON COAST

The lichen-, moss-, and fern-bedecked trees of the Olympic rainforest are about as close as a temperate forest can come to being a true jungle. Elk and black bear amble through these forests, and eagles fly overhead. On lonely beaches tall sea stacks rise from the surf, and there are windswept headlands, whitewater rivers, cranberry bogs, and alpine peaks covered with summer wildflowers.


Along the southern coast, oysters thrive in estuaries. Taste them fresh from the shell or smoked; or stop at a local restaurant for barbecued, fried, or stewed oysters.


Southern Lowlands and Volcanoes

On hazy days, when the sun hits them just right, the tall volcanic peaks rising above the low, rolling southern Washington Cascades seem to float in the air, separated from the earth by their own shadows. They can be seen from the cities of southern Puget Sound, or visited. Observe the devastation caused by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, or stroll through a wildflower meadow on the flanks of Mount Rainier.


PORTLAND, OREGON

The City of Roses is a beautiful, compact river city with many parks and a casual, cosmopolitan air. Enjoy the amenities of some of the region's finest hotels, sample the exquisite meals prepared by local chefs, watch a play, visit a museum, cruise on the river, enjoy the music scene, or just take a long walk.


COLUMBIA GORGE AND THE MOUNT HOOD LOOP

A beautiful snow-capped peak towering over a picture-perfect river gorge--what more can you ask for? The region has hiking trails through rugged canyons, quiet forests, and wildflower meadows by tall waterfalls. If you want to learn about the recreation possibilities, look at the cars: many carry both sailboards and skis on their roof-top racks. You might, on the other hand, just sit quietly and watch the river flow by or dangle your feet in the pool below a waterfall.


CENTRAL OREGON AND THE EASTERN CASCADES

This sunny country of open woods of tall ponderosa pines, of rock-bound whitewater rivers running through lush meadows, of sagebrush flats and volcanic flows is a prime vacation destination. Hike across lava flows, visit the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, or sip a microbrew at a Bend pub. If you hear Indian drums and chanting on your car radio, you're not hallucinating. The Warm Springs radio station has a program called "Drums and Talk."


SOUTHERN OREGON AND OREGON COAST

The lovely small town of Ashland and its Shakespeare Festival attract most visitors to this region, but there are many more attractions to explore, including whitewater rivers and Crater Lake.