Visitors to the historic Astoria and Warrenton, Oregon can enhance their trip using the two new downloadable audio tours available on the Astoria & Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce web site. These audio tours highlight the region's popular historic attractions and movie scene locations. Narrated by local experts, the audio downloads reveal little-known facts and help visitors relive past eras. The first tour, "Astoria and Warrenton's Historical Attractions," highlights 21 locations around the community with historical significance. "The Reel Astoria" tour features 12 destinations featured in major motion pictures, including "Kindergarten Cop" and "The Goonies." Corresponding maps for each of the audio tours can also be downloaded, or you can pick up printed maps at the Chamber office located just east of the bridge on West Marine Drive.

Winter sports venues in Boise, McCall, and Sun Valley will be the sites for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in February. Thousands of athletes from more than 100 countries will be competing in such winter sports as figure skating, snowboarding, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, speed skating, and floor hockey. The World Winter Games will be the largest multi-day winter sporting event ever held in the state of Idaho. Athletes and coaches will be able to gather at Special Olympics Town at Boise Center in Boise, the event's host city, to enjoy concerts, dances, and other social events. In addition to attending some of the World Winter Games' competitions, the public can also enjoy the Special Olympics Festival, to be held at Boise's Centre at the Grove on Feb 8 -10, McCall's David Carey Park on Feb 11, and Sun Valley's Resort Village on Feb 11.

Smooth chocolate truffles. Gooey chocolate brownies. Rich hot chocolate. You can taste and learn about such choco-licious treats at this year's ChocolateFest at the World Forestry Center in Portland's Washington Park. The event is free with admission to the forestry museum and will take place on January 31 and February 1, 2009. While there, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy free samples and shop the Chocolate Bazaar and Market. ChocolateFest talks and demonstrations will give you a chance to learn more about chocolate-wine pairings, the cacao tree, and all things chocolate. Sounds like a great place to take your sweetie and a fine reason for a girlfriends' get-together!

Missoula, Montana is an active community whose residents enjoy getting outdoors, arts and music, and gathering together at fairs and festivals. Missoula offers a lot of fun activities for people who love the outdoors or who are into history. Hiking and river recreation are popular in the summer; skiing and snowmobiling are among your options for winter fun. Natural history buffs will enjoy learning the fantastic story of Glacial Lake Missoula and seeing lake and flood evidence in and around the city. Check out my list of recommendations for fun things to do in Missoula.