42 — Sunday, June 20, 1999 — North Shore News BELLINGHAM: Monday morning at the Blaine border crossing and there is no wait, just a couple of questions from a U.S. Immigration man, then it’s back to good old gallons of gas, miles per hour and shopkeepers who really give you a welcome. Nevertheless border towns the world over are not thrilling, and Blaine, aever an exception even when it had naughty movies, is looking a lirde down at the heel. Bob's ‘Tavern is boarded up as is another hostelry round the corner. However our destination, Semiahmoo Resort, is alive and well. thriving acruaily under. new, local ow: nership. its splendid Arnold Palmer- designed golf course, now 12 years old, has matured into an enjoyable test of golf and now it’s being called the Pebble Beach of Monterey North. And just as‘Monterey has its 17-mile Drive, the strip between the Canadian border and Bellingham has an our- standing selection cf golf courses, many of them new and most of them public, that make it an attractive golf desti- nation. north shore news — Photo Gordon Russell MILK, church and raspberry country: the pretty little town of Lynden, Washingion is easily reached from Vancouver. The area offers a fot of good golf courses te choose between. : Getting to Monterey North is certainly casy; it took one hour from Vancouver to the front door of Semiahmoo. The old cannery site has to be one of the most magnificent settings for a resort. Mornings bring the tang of salty air as seagulls wheel over the waves of the bay. Eagles, up to four at a time according Ciub Med Huatulco tand only........ $99 per week for f child 4 - 17 accompanied by 2 adults Disneyland — 3 nights hotel including air and transfers for farnily of 4.............ffom $1436 : ey A Bamily Craises . Kid Friendly Mini-Cruises - from $829 i per adult includes 3 or 4-day cruise, overnight in Skagway and one way airfare. Call for details! . Ambleside Office Phone: =: (604) 926-8511 Edgemont Office Phone: (604) 986- 2262 Edmonte; ae 5 Winnipe: Halifax An 28 Sep it $' opts & ras Jun 28 dept tiny By Sep 43 z 2 g g while, are flocking to the Lynden’s links at Homestead, a fine links course with a thrilling island green at the par-5 18th hole. There are stay and play packages including handsome cabanas right on the course. Green fees are $30, $40 weekends. Course designer Ted Locke was also inspired by Scotland in his design of North Bellingham, which opened to rave reviews four years ago and has lost none of its appeal. The greens are big and fast, with the par-tive }7th one of the best in the Northwest. If all else fails enjoy the views of accent, windmill and all, reflects the original settlers, and no wonder they came here. The whole area, walled off by the snow-capped Cascades, is so flat it must have reminded them of home. -This is milk, raspberry and church country, all found in record numbers. These days it’s popular with retirees, which might be the reason why the staff the McDonald’s are not exactly teenagers. But, like most Americans, they seem to love their jobs and can’t do cnough for customers. Golfers of ali ages, mean- to locals, sit like sentinels on causeway trees. Packers bar, perched on the edge of ihe water, makes a good stop after golf, while for the same sort of salty location and tasty, inexpensive rare you can’t beat the Harbour Cate on Blaine’s fishboat pier. A meal with oysters, cod and chips, salad and sleeves of beer was $24 for two (all prices in U.S. dollars). Semiahmoo green fees are S65. However there's a $49 twilight rate and it kicks in at 3.30 pm Monday to Thursday. Next stop was Lynden, a pretty hrtle town whose Dutch ENGLISH LANGUAGE A AND } CULTURE If you understand a speaker's word but not the meaning, you aren’t along. Vocabulary and grammar are only a part of the story. To really know what people say you need to understand the culture in which a language is spoken. July 5 - September 24 September 13 - December 3 October 4 - December 24 Part-Time Program: September 18 - December 4 English Immersioa: July 5 - August 27 if you wish to learn more about this program, then you are welcome to attend our | free information meeting on June 25th, at 20:30 am - 12:30 pm. If you wish to attend or have any questions about this program, please call (604) 291-5126, Fax (604) 291-5112, e-mail elc@sfu.ca Regular Programs: 3149 a2 fo" SHAS 289 | Montreal <2. S319 | s§29\ Toronto “2:z-" $289 “air transat [ hun 22-34 VANCOUVER DEPARTURES. NEW BOOKINGS ONLY NO DOWNGRADES Pnces are pet persort, double and reflect ‘Specthed dz.es Subyect tp change oF wthdriwal without notoe SIGNATURE VACATIONS terms & condbons apply ‘Net nctuded: a taxes. GST. transportabon related ‘ees, currency surcharge & AMF 8C Reg #1909-05. Mount Baker. Finally, Lake Padden, everyone’s favourite. Just $20 for this municipal course, Lake Padden is tight and densely treed with a hilly back nine. There are others, such as the scenic Sudden Valley, Avalon, Shuksan, Port Ludlow and the nine-holer Raspberry Ridge, all awaiting another visit, Of course golf'is not the only thing to do around here. Bellis Fair lures shoppers, while for a good meal with a view it’s hard to beat Chuckanut Drive. The Oyster Bar draws seafood connois- scurs from far and wide and Chuckanut Manor does great seafood buffets and Sunday branch. It’s worth making a side trip to the old town af Edison, to Bay View and Samish Island which look over Samish Bay and the prime shellfish beds. As the names suggest there are fine views of the San Juan Islands. Hiking or just going for a walk is also a good idea. Bed & breakfasts abound in this area. For more information con- tact the Bellingham/ Whatcom Cuuity Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-800- 487-2032, , e-mail, .