What is the allure of the Pacific Northwest? Centuries ago it was the giftsof nature that brought the explorers, fur traders, and pioneers. TodayOregon, Washington, and British Columbia still draw visitors to thesparkling coves and waterways, pristine mountains, and broad beaches&mdash;and they charm them with artful towns and spirited communities.<br /><br /><em>The Most Beautiful Villages and Towns of the Pacific Northwest</em> wends itsway from nineteenth-century seaports like Port Townsend, Washington,to twenty-first-century ski resorts such as Whistler, British Columbia;from coastal getaways like Cannon Beach, Oregon, to Old West-stylemain streets in Joseph at the eastern border of that state. And it bringsto life the stories of those who made epic journeys across the continent,trudging along the Oregon Trail or building the Canadian Pacific Railwayin pursuit of the good life in this corner of North America.<br /><br />Along with tales of specific towns there are photo essays&mdash;on thepicturesque lighthouses that protected shipping from the dangers of theGraveyard of the Pacific; on the gorgeous gardens that capitalize on theNorthwestern climate; and on wine country, where new and acclaimedvineyards go hand in hand with an emphasis on lifestyle..