Two nights down south make good break IT’S HIGH we’re heading for border crossing at Blaine. This does not seem iike a very smart idea, what with the convoys of cross-border shoppers and a public holiday coming up the next summer and the 1} am. there is no line-up. We drive straight to the line, receive a polite query from the first American of the day, and that’s it. A quick right turn and we're in Blaine, which as border towns go is not a bad spot. _ Parking is easy, and it takes 10 minutes to pick up a few odds and ends; getting. them in the car is easier if you take out the back seat. Then it’s on past Bob’s Tavern and soon after a right turn for Birch Bay. The sign says seven miles, a thoughtful measure of distance Originating with the ‘Romans, whose mille was a thousand paces or about 1,680 yards. By comparison our kilometre Measures a civil servant’s tidy, tiny mind, or the distance an MP has to walk in Ottawa before col- lecting an indexed pension. Another right turn and the - home straight for the Inn at Semiahmoo stretches invitingly. Pasture gives way to a fine forest sheltering an Arnold Palmer golf course, as well as driveways leading to clusters of homes, sev- eral with names borrowed from Scottish golf such as Prestwick, Turnberry and St. Andrews. .. Unfortunately someone has also come up with ‘‘Gleneagle,’’ which . is as bad as the Globe and Mail - - spelling Scotch _whisky like Irish oe whiskey. The’ inn : flies the American, ; “Washington state and Canadian TRAVEL flags, a courtesy that acknowl- edges that the Lower Mainland has enthusiastically supported Semiahmoo for its five years on the old cannery site here. The location is superb, with five miles of sandy beaches grand for strolling, beachcombing and skip- Ping stones; it’s almost as restful as watching ducks in 2 pond. The seagulls here, by com- parison to Vancouver’s mute variety, are a raucous lot, and the cry of a seagull likely will be the first thing you'll hear on waking up at Semiahmoo. (Hong Kong has no seagulls, but nothing ever gets t.c7own away there.) Two nights makes a good break at Semiahmoo. The first evening we were a little tired and decided to settle fer a light meal in Blaine. It was while enjoying an aperitif at the Paims in Birch Bay thaz the helpful bartender suggested the Harbour Cafe. We headed back to Blaine and drove down the pier, where children fished and crabbed at the end. : Pre-register for hot springs trip _» ‘THE NORTH. Shore Neighbour- : hood House (NSNH) is offering a ‘day trip to seniors who are inter- ‘ -ested in visiting Minter Gardens “and Harrison Hot Springs. . Participants wil! have an oppor- ‘tunity to tour Minter Gardens, browse though - Kilby General Store and Museum in Harrison, ‘and enjoy. a shoreline. walk by .. scenic Harrison Lake. atl All Ne. The trip wili run from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. The cost is $42. and inciudes entrance fees to Minter Gardens and lunch at the Garden Restau- rant. People are asked to pre-register early for this popular trip. For more information call 987-8138, or visit NSNH at 225 East 2nd St. in North Vancouver. IGruse ON DEER LAKE - FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST | SURF & TURF 80z. New York Steak with Tiger Prawns 12" 298-4278 6664 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby. One Block South of Canada Way off Sperling From here it is a very short hop across the neck of the bay to the Inn at Semiahmoo. The Harbour Cafe is a going concern, which does superb fish and chips for $4.95 (a half portion is ample unless you want to look like you got off an Alaska cruise) with beer $1 a mug. The service is fast and friendly, and yes, you can reserve. The next night ve went to Stars at the Inn at Semiahmoo. The food is first class, the wines reasonably priced, but what im- pressed the people wiih us was the alaif; they really seemed to uppre- ciate that we had come by. Full marks to general manager Brian Peterson. Days are easy to fill with tennis at the inn’s indoor court. jogging on resort trails, a massage at the heaith club, swimming, shopping at Bellis Fair, or relaxing with a book in front of a log fire. Golf here is hard to overlook. To play here is to have a walk in a beautiful park, but the for- midable reputation is well earned. However, it is also a very en- joyable course to play, and on a ESCAPE TO THE SEASIDE THE GREAT ESCAPE PACKAGE The Inn of the Sea, located at secluded Yellow Point, Vancouver Island, is a full facility, Seaside Resort with 28 spacious waterview suites with kitchens, 30 comfortable seaview rooms, heated pool and spa, tennis court, hiking trails, canoes, 200° of deckside moorage, 4 nearby golf courses, and features excep- tional dining in our Gourmet Waterfront Restaurant and Poolside Patio. Also inquire about our well-appointed Conference Facilities. 3600 Yellowpoint Rd. Ladysmith, 8.C.. Canada, VOR 2£0 (604) 245-2211 [-800-663-7327 Fax: 245-3442 ¢ 20 minutes south of Nanaimo Jus Effective uneil Octeber 1, 1992 on availability basis. $50,000 pecple work hard to protect Canada’s endangered | 1673 Carling Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K2A 321 (OAD) 725-2491 vood day can allow a reasonable score by players possessing more enthusiasm than shot-making skill. Ask me! Two more golf courses are to open nearby in the next two years, which should make Semiahmoo quite the golf destination. Vd head for the border now, while you can. 10 days £2 $1,699 pois “42 days Cdn. $ i 995, ppl Cdn. $2099 on pela . Prices include: : Return airfare from Vancouver, First. Class Hotels, - Transters, ; Sightseeing and om some meals |... When it comes to soaking up Seattle's sansmer fin, the Westin is our home away from home. Ourneighborsare places like Pike Place = Market, Westlake Center and the 5th Avenue Theatre. This year, The Westin’s Summer Package will even save us money on some of our favorite things a 2 ty todo. Le an summer living is easy in our view room witha V7 pool et and sundeck only steps away. To reserve your summer place at The Westin, just call their Vacation Desle at (206)728-1000 or toll-free at 1-800-228-3000. @ THE WESTIN HOTEL Seattle