The glories of Hood Canal - includes related articles on food offerings, Victoria's restaurant, Union Country Store and a list of tourist attractions

Sunset, April, 1997 by Jim McCausland

* Where: 1 Heron Rd., Port Ludlow.

* Cost: Rooms start at $135, suites at $300.

* Contact: (360) 437-0411.

PORT LUDLOW RESORT

This full-service resort has 180 rooms (60 with full kitchens), a restaurant, and a 27-hole golf course. You can rent boats, fishing poles, crab pots, and bicycles.

* Where: 200 Olympic Place, Port Ludlow.

* Cost: Rates run from $70 to $420 per night.

* Contact: (800) 732-1239.

ELK MEADOWS BED & BREAKFAST

On the Dosewallips River at the base of Mount Jupiter, this B & B offers only two suites - and yes, Roosevelt elk wander here regularly.

* Where: Head up Dosewallips Rd. off U.S. 101 (at Brinnon) about 3 1/2 miles.

* Cost: $75 per suite per night.

* Contact: (360) 796-4886.

* FYI: No pets, no smoking, and no kids under 14.

HOUSE BOATS FOR TWO

If you prefer a harbor to a meadow, try House Boats for Two. Jade anti Elaine Michaels rent two permanently moored houseboats, each with spa, fireplace, TV, VCR, and galley.

* Where: At Pleasant Harbor Marina off U.S. 101.

* Cost: $195 per houseboat per night.

* Contact: (800) 966-5942.

* FYI: No pets or smoking.

ELDON SCHOOLHOUSE B & B

Sandwiched between Eldon General Store and the Hungry Bear Restaurant, Eldon's old two-room schoolhouse has just been converted to a wonderful B & B. Much of the woodwork has been preserved, and the views of Hood Canal remain, but otherwise, former students would hardly recognize the place. Oriental rugs carpet a parlor and library, and the schoolyard out front is being transformed into a garden.

* Where: N. 36840 Highway 101, Lilliwaup.

* Cost: $80 per night.

* Contact: (206) 631-5109.

* FYI: No kids or pets.

ALDERBROOK RESORT

After two years of renovation, Alderbrook Resort on the canal's south shore in Union is looking better than ever. Stay in the lodge itself (78 rooms) or in one of 22 refurbished two-bedroom cottages scattered around Alderbrook's beautiful grounds. The resort has an 18-hole golf course and a fine restaurant, and rents kayaks, paddleboats, and motorboats.

* Where: E. 7101 Highway 106.

* Cost: Rooms start at $79 per night, cottages at $109.

* Contact: (800) 622-9370.

The Nordstrom influence on the south shore

VICTORIA'S

Suffering from bored-housewife syndrome (her words) about 12 years ago, Victoria Rice started cooking up a storm. The delectable results propelled her into catering, where she built an enviable clientele. After Union's landmark Robin Hood restaurant closed, Elmer Nordstrom (yes, that Nordstrom) called and asked Rice to open her own restaurant here. With his encouragement and support, she and her husband, Ken, did just that.

Though the restaurant's menu changes frequently, fresh local fare - from salmon to huckleberries and chanterelles in season - is usually prominent. For hors d'oeuvres, try the hot crab dip with artichoke. Victoria's also serves prodigious country breakfasts on Sunday mornings, and great espresso any time the cook is in. And then there are its catered theme parties - Greek food served by people dressed as Greek slaves, for example. Rice, it's safe to say, is no longer bored.