Page 633 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  631

Sports & Outdoor
tune into local television Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.
and radio news channels for Activities Check the website for latest
regular reports on traffic and The dramatically varied terrain updates and travel advice.
road conditions, particularly and beautiful landscape of the Canoeing and kayaking provide
during the winter. Pacific Northwest make this the environmen tally friendly ways
ideal region for a wide variety of of seeing the region’s beautiful
outdoor activities. Both Washing- waters and abundant marine
Etiquette
ton and Oregon provide great life. Washington’s Puget Sound
Dress in the Pacific Northwest conditions for adventure sports and San Juan Islands are the
tends to be casual, practical, such as hang gliding and para- most popular desti nations for
and dependent on the weather. gliding. White water rafting is sea kayaking, while Olympic
Stricter clothing requirements also popular, especially in the National Park is the hot spot
apply in theaters, high-end waters of the Cascades Range. for canoeists. In Oregon, the
restaurants, and other more Skiing and snowboarding are Columbia River provides
formal places, however. A few other popular activities. stretches of calmer water
designated beaches allow For those interested in more for paddling.
topless and nude sunbathing. placid pastimes, the Oregon Cycling and inline skating are
The legal drinking age is 21, Department of Fish and Wildlife inexpensive ways of traveling.
and smoking in public places or the Washington Depart-ment Bicycle Adventures offers
is prohibited. of Fish and Wildlife provide cycling tours.
infor mation on freshwater fishing.
One of the most exciting ways
Laws to explore the scenic Pacific Shopping
The Seattle and Portland Police North west is by foot. Visitor Downtown districts in the Pacific
Departments are a visible centers and the American Northwest provide everything
presence, either on foot, bicycle, Hiking Society provide infor- from luxury goods in exclusive
or squad car. There are also mation about hiking; and the stores to flea-market bargains.
neighborhood security teams Pacific Northwest Trail Outdoor gear manufactured by
made up of citizen volunteers, Association offers details world-famous local companies
which patrol on foot. Outside about the beautiful 1,200-mile such as REI are popular with
the metropolitan areas, there (1,931-km) trail, which runs tourists interested in adventure
are county police and sheriff’s from the Continental Divide sports. Other items to shop for
offices to assist you. to the Pacific Ocean. are antiques, books, and music
It is illegal and insensitive In summer, the region’s from both the chain stores and
to comment on or joke about many beaches are ideal for indepen dents, first-class wines
bombs, guns, and terrorism in relaxing and offer refreshing (Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays,
places such as airports. Drunk waters to swim in. The coasts Rieslings, and dessert wines),
driving is also taken seriously; are also a delight for bird- and smoked Pacific salmon.
remember that open alcohol watchers who can catch sight Native American jewelry,
containers in a car are illegal. of gulls, sand pipers, plovers, carvings, paintings, and other
Narcotics users can face criminal and ducks. Birdwatchers can handicrafts are also available
charges and severe penalties. also enjoy the Malheur National throughout the region.

DIRECTORY
Tourist Travel United Airlines Hiking
Information Tel (800) 241-6522.
Alaska Airlines American Hiking
Oregon Tourism Tel (800) 426-0333. Washington State Society
Ferries
Commission ∑ alaskaair.com Tel (206) 464-6400. Tel (800) 972-8608.
670 Hawthorne Ave SE, Amtrak ∑ wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Salem, (check website Tel (800) 872-7245. ∑ americanhiking.org
for other locations). OR Freshwater Pacific Northwest
97301-5096. Tel (503) ∑ amtrak.com Fishing
378-8850, (800) 547-7842. Gray Line Trail Association
∑ traveloregon.com Tel In Portland: Oregon Dept of Fish Tel (877) 854-9415.
(503) 241-7373. and Wildlife ∑ pnt.org
Washington State In Seattle: (800) 426-7532.
Tourism ∑ grayline.com Tel (508) 947-6000,
PO Box 42500, Olympia, (800) 720-6339. Bird-Watching
WA 98504-2500 Greyhound ∑ dfw.state.or.us
(check website for other Tel (800) 231-2222. Washington Dept of Malheur National
locations). Tel (800) 544- ∑ greyhound.com Fish & Wildlife Wildlife Refuge
1800. ∑ experience Horizon Airlines Tel (360) 902-2200. Tel (541) 493-2612.
wa.com Tel (800) 547-9308. ∑ wdfw.wa.gov ∑ fws.gov/malheur

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