Making the best of winter at Mt. Angel’s WurstFest

While Oktoberfest is considered the best of the German-heritage celebrations, Oregon’s town of Mt. Angel takes on winter with the “Wurst”—sausages, beer, oompah music, and more!

Located 18 miles northwest of Salem on Highway 214, Mt. Angel was first settled by German immigrants in the late 1800s. Like Leavenworth, Washington, it preserves its traditions and Bavarian accent in the colorful, timbered storefronts of downtown. A highlight at any time of year, the Benedictine Abbey, founded by Swiss monks in 1883 perches above the town; on clear days enjoy incredible views of the surrounding Willamette Valley and the volcanic peaks of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. Housed inside the Abbey is an incredible collection of illuminated manuscripts.

The lively Fifth Annual Wurstfest takes place in the town’s Festhalle. Bring your appetite for the wide assortment of delicious, locally made sausages, German and domestic beers, cheeses and chocolates. And put on your dancing shoes for the irresistible tunes of traditional German music by popular bands. There are special activities for children, and craft and German souvenir vendor booths too. 

DETAILS

•Festival Dates: Feb. 15 & 16

•Times: 11 a.m. to  11 p.m.

•Admission:  $5 per person/$10 with a specialty stein. Kids admitted free.

RV PARKS

RVers can hookup at the Portland-Woodbury RV Park (next to the popular Woodbury Company Store). For info and reservations, click here.

The Silver Spur RV park is offering a winter special: 50% off coupon for any night before March 15, 2013. For info and reservations, click here.

5-1-1 Idaho: State-of-the-art travel info

Idaho is cutting edge when it comes to being traveler-friendly. Its innovative combination of Smartphone-Internet-Twitter means visitors can access every kind of travel information necessary for a safe and worry-free trip—in every season.

This spectacular state, with its soaring mountains, rivers, lakes, and broad valleys, is a nature-lover’s paradise. And the public service 5-1-1 Program further confirms that “Welcome to Idaho” is not just another sign on the Interstate.

Travelers can now choose their preferred electronic medium for information ranging from general travel conditions and road closures, to up-to-the-minute images from the 130 cameras positioned along mountain passes. 

Here’s the guide:

For information by phone: Dial 511 (Options are clear and instructions simple to follow. You can even speak with a human if you wish, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For information by Smartphone: Type 511.idaho.gov in the address bar and the website will automatically redirects the phone to the mobile website.

For Twitter Feeds and Texts: Go to 511.idaho.gov. In the upper right corner click on “New User, Start Here.” Sign up for the free account and you can put in your routes and destination and you’ll receive notifications through email, text, or Twitter. 

The website: Find all travel information here, from campgrounds and RV parks to local and statewide events, and every attraction imaginable. 

Seattle RV Show Celebrates 50 Years

Fifty years and counting – that’s how long the Seattle RV show has been going! This year’s event, which runs from February 7-10, expands into an additional hall in the CenturyLink Field and Event Center. 

In addition to the 2013 RV models and RV-related accessories booths, there's a wide variety of seminars daily, beginning at noon. Topics will range from technical RV aspects to boondocking, and from family RVing to travelogues about RVing in the Northwest. Two of the event’s popular seminars will also be returning: “Ask the Technician,” and “The Essential RV Walk-Through.”

The special anniversary also features an RV giveaway sweepstakes, which involves an unusual “toss.” When you visit the Concourse level you’ll receive a voucher and number and the interesting instructions! The prize is a 2013 travel trailer from Keystone RV, valued at $18,995.

Details

Show Hours:

Thursday & Friday:  11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ticket Prices: 

($1 from every adult and senior ticket sale will be donated to Washington State Parks, celebrating their Centennial this year!)

Adults: $11

Seniors (62+): $10

Students (13-18) $8

Children (12 & under) Free

Purchase your tickets online and receive a FREE one-day parking pass at the Safeco Field Parking Garage (regular parking price is $10). https://www.mhrvshowtickets.com/order1.cfm

Click here for more information.