Lights on the Water Holiday Celebrations

Many years ago, I traveled to Beaverton, Oregon, to visit my then husband's parents for the Christmas holidays. On a chilly evening, we bundled up and drove the twenty or so miles to witness Portland's Christmas Ship Parade. I will never forget the wonder I felt watching fishing boats, yachts, and vessels of various sizes decked out with lights and carrying passengers dressed in red . My young son watched the outlines of geese, Christmas trees, reindeer, and the Three Wise Men floated across the dark waters of the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

In the December 2008 issue of Northwest Travel magazine, learn about eight holiday light shows on and off the water. Check out these water-based events that stretch from Newport, on the Oregon Coast, to Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho, to Bainbridge Island, Bellingham, Blaine and Tri-Cities in Washington, and Chemainus in British Columbia. Celebrate your holidays this year with Northwest Travel as your guide.

Some of the options singing carols while cruising the waters off of Vancouver Island on the Christmas Carol Ship. Or perhaps you'd like to visit Santa at his North Pole Shop by boat on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Witness the 120-year-old grand fir festooned in 30,000 lights that is billed as the world's tallest living Christmas tree.

If you're looking for a little exercise this holiday season, how about some short day hikes in metro Vancouver. On the 1000 acres that was once home to the Musqueam and Squamish First Nations people, there is much to see and do at Stanley Park. Some of those activities include hiking, swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, playing tennis or playing pitch-and-putt golf. Or visit the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre or the seawall past Lions Gate Bridge. In West Vancouver, spend the day at Lighthouse Park where there is a conifer forest with some trees dating back 500 years.

Northwest Travel is your guide to exploring the Pacific Northwest. Pick up the magazine at newsstands in Barnes & Noble, Borders, Safeway, Fred Meyer, and now, at Metropolitan Markets in the Seattle/Tacoma area, as well as Market of Choice stores in Eugene and Ashland.