Tools, Tips and Resources: Resource Roundup

Vacation Getaways on the Internet

With the warmth of the sun on my face, I trail my feet along the beach to feel the rush of sand between my toes, I can almost hear the surf, each wave crashing and receding. . .

Recently, I used the Internet to make my travel plans for a trip to the Oregon and Washington coasts. I was able to get a feel for my vacation destination before I even left home. The following websites are among the best at conveying the essence of all the Oregon and Washington coastlines have to offer.

Bunk-up on a Riverboat

For an out-of-the-ordinary vacation, consider a unique floating bed-and-breakfast near Newport, Oregon. The Newport Belle, a 97-foot-long sternwheel riverboat, was designed specifically for accommodating guests. At the Newport Belle's website (http://www.newportbelle.com), the layout of the riverboat can be viewed by clicking on Deckplans. The lower level houses three of the five staterooms: the Montana Room, Australian Room, and Toy Room. The upper level of the riverboat features two staterooms, the Honeymoon Suite and the Captain's Room, as well as the owner's apartment. View each guestroom by clicking on Stateroom Photos. Using the deckplans and the stateroom photos, you can select the perfect room.

The Main Salon, displayed on the Interior Photos page, offers views of the Yaquina Bay Bridge and the Newport Marina. The Exterior Photos page includes an inviting look at the Newport Belle at night. Just imagine yourself there on the dock returning to this beautiful boat after a day of exploring the area.

To help plan your stay, click Local Attractions, Local Events, and Related Websites. The area has two lighthouses, and both are accessible to the public. Other points of interest are the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Hatfield Science Center. The Room Rates page has details on check-in and check-out times, the seasonal rate variances, and some special considerations to plan for since the Newport Belle is a US Coast Guard Registered Vessel.

Enjoy the View

Another great destination in Oregon is the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach (http://www.surfsand.com). On the Home page follow the Click Here link to the 360-degree-view photographs. The three photos can be viewed using Quick Time, which is a free browser plug-in you can download. Two of the photos are inside the guest rooms, while the third photo pans from the resort to the beach and then back again. It's as if you're standing between the resort and the ocean and slowly spinning around to soak it all in. The guest room photos allow you to see the room's furnishings plus the view from the deck.

The Surfsand Resort website offers two helpful links: What's Happening and Local Activities. Guided whale watching trips and sightseeing tours are among the activities provided by guest services. Cannon Beach has several annual events including the Sand Castle Weekend in June and the Fourth of July Fireworks Display. The nearby Seaside Aquarium is a popular destination. And there are miles of beach to walk, cycle, or enjoy on horseback.

Be sure to check out the Special Packages page. An Internet special plus several other options are available to make your vacation memorable. To book one of these packages or for any reservation information, click on Info Inquiry and fill in the on-line form.

Hide Out in the Private Spa

The Boreas Bed and Breakfast (http://www.boreasinn.com/home.html) also offers 360-degree views of the guest rooms. Using the IPIX plug-in (the plug-in is free to download), you can stand in the center of a room and slowly explore what is available. The eleven 360-degree-view photos, combined with detailed description of each room, provide an excellent way to select the room you want to call home for a few days. More information on each room and their rates can be found on the Suites page.

A spa enclosed in a cedar and glass gazebo is available for guests to enjoy. Facing the dunes, the gazebo offers privacy and relaxation. To see a photo of the gazebo, scroll to the bottom of the Home page. A five-minute walk through the sand dunes takes you from Boreas Bed-and-Breakfast to the Pacific beach. See the Welcome page for a listing of local events including a Stunt Kite Competition in June, an Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration, and an International Kite Festival in August.

Reservation requests can be submitted on-line on the Contact page. Fill in the form and click on Submit Reservation. Your vacation to Boreas Bed and Breakfast in Long Beach, Washington will surely be a pleasant escape.

Claim Your Own Cabin

About 85 miles north of Long Beach, you will find another vacation destination, Kalaloch Lodge (http://www.visitkalaloch.com). Located in Forks, Washington, Kalaloch Lodge is in the Olympic National Park and overlooks the Pacific ocean. Click on Lodging for details on the lodge, motel and cabins. From the Lodging page, choose Rates and Descriptions of our Rooms for an informative matrix that will help you select the room or cabin that fits your situation.

Next, go back to the Lodging page and click on Property Map. This page gives an overhead layout of the accommodations with the cabins identified by number. The map also highlights the location of the trail to the beach, the public phone, and the store. Listed on the Itinerary page, you will find several waterfalls, Lake Crescent, Cape Flattery, and the Hoh Rainforest, which are all available to explore. The Forks Timber Museum, the Makah Museum, and Sol Duc Salmon Hatchery are also listed on the Itinerary page. Clicking on Activities will give you information on beach trail hiking, clam digging, and tide pool viewing that are available at Kalaloch Lodge.

The ocean is my favorite place to escape to... and visiting each of these websites is like a relaxing mini-vacation. Daydreaming about my vacation is now just a mouse click away.

Things to Know Before You Go