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| Cannon Beach, OR Stormy Day |
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| As the bumper sticker says "We got VD in Portland" (Voodoo Doughnuts) |
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| Multnomah Falls along Waterfall Row. |
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| Portland Saturday Farmer's Market |
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Christopher & Brad Visit Portland
Solid rain for seven days.
Click images to zoom...
Click images to zoom...
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Start of Winter Fly Fishing
Here we go, those of us crazy enough (about fly fishing and in general) to get our warm gear on and hit the rivers - freezing weather, rain, snow - Ya baby!
I'm in the throes of tying flies for the winter. I have no idea what I am doing, but that has never stopped me before. I'm working on flies for Steelhead (returning sea run Rainbow Trout) that will start their winter run up in the rivers in December. I'm working on tying some of Dec Hogan's Steelhead flies.
Friday afternoon, I could not see the computer anymore to write code, so I split for the Clackamas River to practice a bit. Too early, really, for any Steelhead, but this is a different kind of fly fishing for me, so there are things to work out - like not freezing to death while standing outside in 40 deg weather and up to your waist in freezing water. Well, I did OK. My 15 year old waders leaked, so after 2 hours in the river I could not feel my feet any more and upon returning to "Mrs. Bean The Fishing Machine", my feet were soaking wet and blue. Off to Orivs Fly Shop today to get new waders today.
Below is a picture I took of the Clackamas River in the summer. The water level Friday, was closer to the trees and really moving! I could walk about a mile up the river and around the bend to the left in the picture. I didn't see any fish on the walk up, but again, too early. Around the bend was a nice riffle (washboard type rapids) running a hundred yards. Wow, the water was really moving. I tried wading out to the edge of the drop-off to cast, but even in just 24" of water, my feet were being carried off the bottom. I did have on my ID bracelet for easy body identification should I end up face down floating down river. But, I'm not as young as I once was, so backed up to safer wading.
What a trip, just like the videos! I could really get the hang of this swinging a fly. I had the usual trouble of the trees behind me, so I had to get creative with my casting. Most Steelheaders use two handed Spay Rods, and use a spay casting technique. I don't have that gear, yet, so I played around with different casts and did just fine. Thankfully, I spent a lot of time casting in high winds on the Florida grass flats, so I can cast left, or right handed. In high winds, this lets you cast on your downwind side, helping you keep the fly from catching your ear as it goes by at 100 mph on the cast. In the river it helps you get more distance from the trees. There are other cool techniques where you can setup your cast in one direction and have it 'hook' around to another spot, that really helps, too.
This trip was really about practicing and sorting out my equipment, and flies.
There are a few ways to fish for Steelhead and one is Swinging Flies. The idea is to cast 45 degs across and down river, then let your fly swing in the current moving from the middle of the river across the deep section up into the shallow section near the bank. Steelhead and Salmon will be resting behind the rocks in the slower current waiting to push on up river and here comes your fly right in front of them. The rhythm is cast, then walk down river 5 feet, then cast, and so on... That way you cover each 5ft. section of the river.
I'm not used to it, so that is way I wanted some river practice. I used both sinking tip and a floating line (where the current was less).
All in all my practice day went much better than I expected. I came back with some equipment and technique changes I need to make. I found some likely holding spots for fish, which I'll concentrate on next time.
People often ask why fish in bad weather. Easy, because you will be the only one on the river. I didn't see another person the whole time. Great!
I would like to be called a "Steelheader"; we'll see maybe by the end of the winter I will be.
I'm in the throes of tying flies for the winter. I have no idea what I am doing, but that has never stopped me before. I'm working on flies for Steelhead (returning sea run Rainbow Trout) that will start their winter run up in the rivers in December. I'm working on tying some of Dec Hogan's Steelhead flies.
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My Fly Tying Bench |
Friday afternoon, I could not see the computer anymore to write code, so I split for the Clackamas River to practice a bit. Too early, really, for any Steelhead, but this is a different kind of fly fishing for me, so there are things to work out - like not freezing to death while standing outside in 40 deg weather and up to your waist in freezing water. Well, I did OK. My 15 year old waders leaked, so after 2 hours in the river I could not feel my feet any more and upon returning to "Mrs. Bean The Fishing Machine", my feet were soaking wet and blue. Off to Orivs Fly Shop today to get new waders today.
Below is a picture I took of the Clackamas River in the summer. The water level Friday, was closer to the trees and really moving! I could walk about a mile up the river and around the bend to the left in the picture. I didn't see any fish on the walk up, but again, too early. Around the bend was a nice riffle (washboard type rapids) running a hundred yards. Wow, the water was really moving. I tried wading out to the edge of the drop-off to cast, but even in just 24" of water, my feet were being carried off the bottom. I did have on my ID bracelet for easy body identification should I end up face down floating down river. But, I'm not as young as I once was, so backed up to safer wading.
What a trip, just like the videos! I could really get the hang of this swinging a fly. I had the usual trouble of the trees behind me, so I had to get creative with my casting. Most Steelheaders use two handed Spay Rods, and use a spay casting technique. I don't have that gear, yet, so I played around with different casts and did just fine. Thankfully, I spent a lot of time casting in high winds on the Florida grass flats, so I can cast left, or right handed. In high winds, this lets you cast on your downwind side, helping you keep the fly from catching your ear as it goes by at 100 mph on the cast. In the river it helps you get more distance from the trees. There are other cool techniques where you can setup your cast in one direction and have it 'hook' around to another spot, that really helps, too.
This trip was really about practicing and sorting out my equipment, and flies.
There are a few ways to fish for Steelhead and one is Swinging Flies. The idea is to cast 45 degs across and down river, then let your fly swing in the current moving from the middle of the river across the deep section up into the shallow section near the bank. Steelhead and Salmon will be resting behind the rocks in the slower current waiting to push on up river and here comes your fly right in front of them. The rhythm is cast, then walk down river 5 feet, then cast, and so on... That way you cover each 5ft. section of the river.
I'm not used to it, so that is way I wanted some river practice. I used both sinking tip and a floating line (where the current was less).
All in all my practice day went much better than I expected. I came back with some equipment and technique changes I need to make. I found some likely holding spots for fish, which I'll concentrate on next time.
People often ask why fish in bad weather. Easy, because you will be the only one on the river. I didn't see another person the whole time. Great!
I would like to be called a "Steelheader"; we'll see maybe by the end of the winter I will be.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Portland - 1 Year Aniversery!
As Rose always says, "First it will be 6 minutes, then 6 days, then 6 years...".
We decided on this raining fall day to go back to Sasquatch Brewery (just a block walk), as this is where we celebrated our Portland arrival last year. Great Beer!
Over the past week, we were rethinking our 7 day cross country drive FL to OR, remembering the legs and where we stayed each night. Good thing we wrote a blog to look back on!
I was watching the weather through the week and that lady truck driver we chatted to on the way over was right. We were lucky with the weather on our trip. The worst of the route is Interstate 80 across the plains. We had high winds, but the route can get close for winds and snow. If we had made the trip this year, we would have also had snow and wind through several states.
So far, it has all been a great experience. We have a nice place to live, the public transportation is amazing, there are a billion activities to choose from, farmers markets to die for, food and beer are fantastic, and the people in Oregon are very nice. OMG, the coastline and rivers take your breath away. We are both involved with groups and have made some very nice friends.
On to year #2. We have more exploring and lots more fly fishing to do.
We decided on this raining fall day to go back to Sasquatch Brewery (just a block walk), as this is where we celebrated our Portland arrival last year. Great Beer!
Over the past week, we were rethinking our 7 day cross country drive FL to OR, remembering the legs and where we stayed each night. Good thing we wrote a blog to look back on!
I was watching the weather through the week and that lady truck driver we chatted to on the way over was right. We were lucky with the weather on our trip. The worst of the route is Interstate 80 across the plains. We had high winds, but the route can get close for winds and snow. If we had made the trip this year, we would have also had snow and wind through several states.
So far, it has all been a great experience. We have a nice place to live, the public transportation is amazing, there are a billion activities to choose from, farmers markets to die for, food and beer are fantastic, and the people in Oregon are very nice. OMG, the coastline and rivers take your breath away. We are both involved with groups and have made some very nice friends.
On to year #2. We have more exploring and lots more fly fishing to do.
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| Sasquatch Brewery Light of Great Portland Beer |
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Gales Creek Fall Photo
Rose is having a "Beading Weekend", so I went fishing today.
I was up at Gales Creek to see if any Cutthroat Trout were still around.
This is the last week of Trout fishing in Oregon.
I took several photos with two different cameras and they all came out rather weird.
Like, how did this happen between two separate cameras - I wonder.
Is Gales Creek in some sort of alternate dimension?
Click for larger image...
I was up at Gales Creek to see if any Cutthroat Trout were still around.
This is the last week of Trout fishing in Oregon.
I took several photos with two different cameras and they all came out rather weird.
Like, how did this happen between two separate cameras - I wonder.
Is Gales Creek in some sort of alternate dimension?
Click for larger image...
Saturday, October 10, 2015
20th Wedding Aniversery!
We made it - 20 years of marriage!
We took some time off to celebrate and recall the time we have been together.
Starting out with My Morning Jacket in concert here in Portland. Wow! what a great show. We took the bus into town and had dinner and beer (Portland you have to have beer, it is required to live here, which is why the bus service is so good here). We ate at the Laughing Planet, which is where we had dinner / beer (even the same table) as on our Portland recon trip two years ago.
It had been a while since our last concert. It was in a small'ish theater and was really great. People of all ages!
Note: you can click any image to get a larger version...
Next we were off the coast for four days of exploring and mainly R&R. Cannon Beach & Netarts / Oceanside.
We are very lucky here in Portland, in that the coast, or the mountains are only about an hour and a half drive. Driving to the coast you quickly leave the city, then through wine country, and over the coastal range of winding roads through forests of Douglas Fir trees.
We stuffed Mrs. Bean to the brim with fishing gear, food, champagne, music, and clothes. We usually travel with our picnic basket, but both places we were staying had kitchens. It still would have been nice to have our own picnic basket, but I have to figure out how to stuff that into our Smart Car with all our other gear. Here is Mrs. Bean in Miami on a previous adventure. I just needed to get a pic in here of her.
We took some time off to celebrate and recall the time we have been together.
Starting out with My Morning Jacket in concert here in Portland. Wow! what a great show. We took the bus into town and had dinner and beer (Portland you have to have beer, it is required to live here, which is why the bus service is so good here). We ate at the Laughing Planet, which is where we had dinner / beer (even the same table) as on our Portland recon trip two years ago.
It had been a while since our last concert. It was in a small'ish theater and was really great. People of all ages!
Note: you can click any image to get a larger version...
Next we were off the coast for four days of exploring and mainly R&R. Cannon Beach & Netarts / Oceanside.
We are very lucky here in Portland, in that the coast, or the mountains are only about an hour and a half drive. Driving to the coast you quickly leave the city, then through wine country, and over the coastal range of winding roads through forests of Douglas Fir trees.
We stuffed Mrs. Bean to the brim with fishing gear, food, champagne, music, and clothes. We usually travel with our picnic basket, but both places we were staying had kitchens. It still would have been nice to have our own picnic basket, but I have to figure out how to stuff that into our Smart Car with all our other gear. Here is Mrs. Bean in Miami on a previous adventure. I just needed to get a pic in here of her.
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Mrs. Bean in Miami for Christmas now 3,400 miles away.FishingI did bring my fishing gear, not really sure I was going to fish, but ya just got to bring it. Actually, we did stop on the way out to Cannon Beach at the Fish Hatchery. I managed to catch a couple of Cutthroat Trout while Rose sat reading along the river.Cannon BeachWe stayed at The Waves for a few days while in Cannon Beach. Really nice rooms; ours was right on the river and beach where we could see everything. We spent one evening just watching the tide go out and the people walking the beach. We brought some night music, champagne, so it was really nice with a cool breeze blowing through the windows.
He had another nice lunch at the owner / chef's Seasons Cafe'. We highly recommend this place. Reasonably priced, even for a resort beach town. Really nice food and selections of beer and wine. An added note, is that it is across the street from one of the candy stores. We did go out to breakfast a couple times, but nothing to write home about.
As per usual for us, it was 'Picnic in the Hotel' for dinner. There is a good independent medium sized grocery store The Mariner Market that has most of the goodies you swore you would never eat! Hell, I'm on vacation, lead me to the ice cream sandwiches! Don't forget the candy stores, too!
Here are a couple views from our hotel room at The Waves.
    
At sunset one evening I saw what looked like a horse cross the river way down by those sand dunes. Strange looking horse, I thought, until a heard of them came down the sand dune, swam the river.
A heard of Caribou!
Beach Walk
The Oregon Coast is very 'Beachy'. Huge tide range here and when the tide is out the beach is huge. As one would expect, it is a great beach to walk, so everyone does.
Rose likes the beach. We found some sand sculptures along our walk.
    Netarts & OceansideNext, we were off down the coast driving through Nehalem, Garibaldi, and Tillamook to Netarts.Part of this trip was to check out some close by seaside towns for a quick (hopefully cheap) weekends break. Part of that was checking out some rental Cabins in some of these towns. The cabins I saw online were vastly cheaper than hotels, but we needed to check out if they were nice enough. Yes, I would save we had a good experience with the cabin. Here is the Edgewater Bay & Ocean cabin in Netarts we stayed. Only $90 / night instead of many hotels that are closer to $300 / night. Nice views!   Cape Meares Lighthouse. 300 year old Octopus Tree.I think it was a spruce tree that no one really knows why it grew that way. I suspect it got "topped" by a storm, lost its central leader, and grew limbs out from the base. You'd have to ask an Indian who was around if they knew. Anyway, us humans think we are sooooo great, yet there are many living things around that are hundreds, if not, thousands of years old. OceansideJust up the coast is Oceanside, another small town right on the beach. We had a really great breakfast at the Blue Agate Cafe. Visitors and locals alike seem to love this little family operated small cafe. I think this is a very good reason to stay in Oceanside, as we heard the lunches are to die for.Being on the lookout for cheap rooms we checked out the Ocean Front Cabins. Hey, right next to the Blue Agate Cafe, which is a good start. People were busily packing up for their next hop down the coast, so we had a change to peer inside a couple cabins and chat to a visitor. Again, very rustic (code for if your wife need a makeup table this is not the place for you), but adequate with kitchens which we like. The beach is just across the street. Off season, (Portlanders like to stay at the beach in cold bad weather storm watching - it is just a thing out here) you can get a cabin for like $50 / night. Being only 1.5 hours drive through beautiful Douglas Fir tree lined forest along the amazing Wilson River and your stress just falls off on the drive out, just in time for champagne and a walk on the beach! Tillamook Forest CenterThe drive from the coast back to Portlandia passes the Tillamook Forest Center. This is a must stop site. There website does not have a lot of good pictures, but worth checking out. They have an amazing wooden suspension bridge across the Wilson River; and a really really good exhibition of the history and logging in the Tillamook Forest. OK, and bathrooms, which at about the half way point on the trip is another good reason to stop - just being real about it.ThoughtsWe really enjoyed out 20th Honeymoon and exploring the coast. I think we found some really good weekend spots to relax, and to fish. The OR coast is just so beautiful. As Portlanders we are already looking forward to our 1st winter storm stay on the beach. Hold On! |
Friday, October 9, 2015
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Small Garden
Well, not the huge garden we had in Virginia, but a start.
Basically, not enough light, or space.
Monday, September 7, 2015
Portland Public Service Notice - Keep Portland Weird
The city of Portland just wants to remind you to
"Keep Portland Weird".
Fly Fishing the Wilson
Peter and I went out exploring the Wilson River west of Portland for some fishing spots. With the low summer water levels, it is a good time to see topology of the river, pools that hold fish, tail-outs, and riffles.
We were hoping for some resident Cutthroat Trout, but I guess the river does not have many in this area far from the ocean. Later this fall, the Steelhead and Salmon will start moving up the river into the hills here to spawn. And we'll be back!
I absolutely love fishing these rivers up in the hills. You can't see it in the pictures, but we had a steady rain.
I was later charged by a angry dog, got my feet trapped in some boulders and fell over in the river and smashed up my elbow. Those rocks just don't seem to have the give they did when I was 15 years old. Great fun! I crossed two bridges and didn't fall off either of them, so all in all a safe day for me. Peter and I both carry whistles for calling each other in an emergency; and I carry my contact information in a pouch around my neck for easy body identification by the authorities should I wash down river and out to sea. I think it is the polite thing to do - don't need no CSI saving the taxpayers some cash. I also have a gold earring, as was required by law for fishermen in Scotland in the old days, to pay the mortician. I don't think a gold earring would pay for it these days, but good to keep in line with the old traditions. You can click the images to make them larger, if you into that kind of thing.  |
| Low summer water levels. Imagine the river full with winter rains and full of Steelhead! |
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| Wow, what a beautiful little river. Nice wooden bridge. |
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| Peter tying on another fly. Working the tail-out and pool up the river. |
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Day Trip to Camas, WA Garden Show
Beautiful Day! Road Trip Time!
We saw Camas, WA, just over the Columbia River, was having a Garden Show. Wow, it was really nice. Camas really reminded us of Dunedin, FL. Anyway, Camas closed the streets of their Old Town and put on nice garden show. The place was packed with people buy everything.
The Boy Scouts were running around with Radio Flyer wagons, helping everyone get their purchases to their cars. Sure beats trying to carry those clay pots, and large plants all the way back to your car.
Rose was looking for a few more plants for our place. She has a nice collection on indoor plants, and our little vegetable garden on the back porch is coming along.
There are a ton on nice restaurants, and brew pubs in Old Town. We had lunch at Natalia's Cafe. The food was really nice, and we were right on the corner for good people watching.
It was such a nice day, and nice crowed of nice people, you just wanted to site and watch the world go by. Very relaxing.
We really liked Camas and will come back for more explorations. They seem to have events all summer long; and it may be worth a stay in the old Camas Hotel just to get away and explore more of the area on a weekend.
Washington State - Another US State checked off my list. I think I only have three left to visit before I have all 50 States in my travel book.
Click on image(s) to enlarge...
We saw Camas, WA, just over the Columbia River, was having a Garden Show. Wow, it was really nice. Camas really reminded us of Dunedin, FL. Anyway, Camas closed the streets of their Old Town and put on nice garden show. The place was packed with people buy everything.
The Boy Scouts were running around with Radio Flyer wagons, helping everyone get their purchases to their cars. Sure beats trying to carry those clay pots, and large plants all the way back to your car.
Rose was looking for a few more plants for our place. She has a nice collection on indoor plants, and our little vegetable garden on the back porch is coming along.
There are a ton on nice restaurants, and brew pubs in Old Town. We had lunch at Natalia's Cafe. The food was really nice, and we were right on the corner for good people watching.
It was such a nice day, and nice crowed of nice people, you just wanted to site and watch the world go by. Very relaxing.
We really liked Camas and will come back for more explorations. They seem to have events all summer long; and it may be worth a stay in the old Camas Hotel just to get away and explore more of the area on a weekend.
Washington State - Another US State checked off my list. I think I only have three left to visit before I have all 50 States in my travel book.
Click on image(s) to enlarge...
Sunday, May 3, 2015
WE LOVE PORTLAND !!!
Spring has come to Portland.
People are out everywhere living life. Hustle and Bustle.
Portland is so alive. We feel like there is life out there again! The weather is fantastic!
Remember out pictures and story of the Hillsdale Farmers Market last fall.
We went today it has exploded with spring. Masses of people, lots more vendors and people giving away, and selling, plants.
Rose got in on her free packet of 6 plants. Later down the row, we bought a zillion more. We have 3 Earth Boxes, some planters we bought and 2 really great planters someone left by the dumpster. Hey, I got there first.
Later we walked down to "Freddies" one of the 3 grocery stores withing walking distance, just to top off the veggies we didn't get at the market. We have a little trolly to carry our spoils.
We can literally walk anywhere we need to go.
Yesterday, I went on one of my bike rides exploring the area and trying to kill myself peddling up these steep hills. Man, I can't wait to loose some more weight to get my fat butt up these hills. We were aiming to live on the east side of the river where it is FLAT, but now I'm starting to think this was a cunning plan by Rose to settle us in the SW Hills, so I would have to haul my butt up these hills every day. Well, either way, I'm glad for the exercise and challenge.
I rode along a new section of the waterfront. People were out sunning themselves, walking, riding, playing in the river, fishing, and sailing.
I passed by the Willamette Sailing Club and they were having some races. Wow, reminded me of the Davis Island Yacht Club back in the old days. I may join the club one days and rent some sailboats to play with.
I looked around at the boats and they were all the ones I used to race when I was a kid - Lasers, Snipes, Thistles, 420s, etc.. Really brought back some memories. I looked down at the dock and there was a Lido 14 ! OMG, that is the family sailboat we grew up in. She was named the Yellow Peril.
Need to figure out what we are doing next week..
People are out everywhere living life. Hustle and Bustle.
Portland is so alive. We feel like there is life out there again! The weather is fantastic!
Remember out pictures and story of the Hillsdale Farmers Market last fall.
We went today it has exploded with spring. Masses of people, lots more vendors and people giving away, and selling, plants.
Rose got in on her free packet of 6 plants. Later down the row, we bought a zillion more. We have 3 Earth Boxes, some planters we bought and 2 really great planters someone left by the dumpster. Hey, I got there first.
Later we walked down to "Freddies" one of the 3 grocery stores withing walking distance, just to top off the veggies we didn't get at the market. We have a little trolly to carry our spoils.
We can literally walk anywhere we need to go.
Yesterday, I went on one of my bike rides exploring the area and trying to kill myself peddling up these steep hills. Man, I can't wait to loose some more weight to get my fat butt up these hills. We were aiming to live on the east side of the river where it is FLAT, but now I'm starting to think this was a cunning plan by Rose to settle us in the SW Hills, so I would have to haul my butt up these hills every day. Well, either way, I'm glad for the exercise and challenge.
I rode along a new section of the waterfront. People were out sunning themselves, walking, riding, playing in the river, fishing, and sailing.
I passed by the Willamette Sailing Club and they were having some races. Wow, reminded me of the Davis Island Yacht Club back in the old days. I may join the club one days and rent some sailboats to play with.
I looked around at the boats and they were all the ones I used to race when I was a kid - Lasers, Snipes, Thistles, 420s, etc.. Really brought back some memories. I looked down at the dock and there was a Lido 14 ! OMG, that is the family sailboat we grew up in. She was named the Yellow Peril.
Need to figure out what we are doing next week..
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Lunch Ride - Post Office, Community Center, BBQ Lunch
Did my usual ride to drop off the days orders from our websites and eBay stores at to the post office. I also needed to check out the Wifi at the Community Center - have a presentation there next week.
I thought great, I need a new route here in the SW Hills section of Portland. I have not been totally out of breath with blood vessels bursting since yesterday's ride. Granny gear up, screaming on the breaks down. Oh Brakes - got to get more at the bike shop tomorrow.
As I was heading back up the Beaverton-Hillsdale HWY when I passed a BBQ joint (food cart really) with the biggest smoker I have ever seen. I had been meaning to check this place out. I asked everyone in my party if they had any objection to having a break and a nice BBQ lunch. No one objected - the beauty of riding alone! Good BBQ. Had a nice chat with an old timer there - we agreed Rain in Portland, what rain?
I thought great, I need a new route here in the SW Hills section of Portland. I have not been totally out of breath with blood vessels bursting since yesterday's ride. Granny gear up, screaming on the breaks down. Oh Brakes - got to get more at the bike shop tomorrow.
As I was heading back up the Beaverton-Hillsdale HWY when I passed a BBQ joint (food cart really) with the biggest smoker I have ever seen. I had been meaning to check this place out. I asked everyone in my party if they had any objection to having a break and a nice BBQ lunch. No one objected - the beauty of riding alone! Good BBQ. Had a nice chat with an old timer there - we agreed Rain in Portland, what rain?
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Portland Saturday Markets
This Saturday we hopped a bus and train into and around downtown Portland.
The first stop was the Portland Farmers Market at PSU - Portland State University.
I was surprised how large is was this early in the season. Two city blocks long and one city block wide. It runs between the buildings and under the trees on the PSU campus.
I could not get any pictures that really caught the size and atmosphere of the place, but I tried.
The market was packed with all kinds of people.
We picked up a few vegetables and decided we should head here for Saturday breakfast and a little shopping. We can catch the bus from in front of our place and get dropped off at the market for $5 (for the both of us) why drive and pay to park?
There were a lot of good food vendors there. Now here is a great environmental trick. To save trees, trash, and landfill, the vendors serve on real plates. After you have enjoyed your meal, simple return your plate and they get washed for the next time.
I have never lived in a city before but am grooving on Portland for sure.
Saturday Market Old Town.
Up in Old Town on the river is the Saturday Market. This market is more food vendor and goodies to buy. Completely different flavor than the Farmers Market at PSU. Fun place to walk around, street actors, completely different people up here, etc... One end of the market in the River and the other ends at Voodoo Doughnuts. The line for a doughnut on a Saturday is blocks long, but no one seems to mind. Rose loves their famous Bacon Maple Bar doughnut.
Back to Mi Mero Mole for lunch.
OK, you get a Beer, a Shot, and a Burrito for $10. Ya, you want it!
Casual place and the food is really good. Definitely, some of the best Mexican food we have eaten in the states.
The first stop was the Portland Farmers Market at PSU - Portland State University.
I was surprised how large is was this early in the season. Two city blocks long and one city block wide. It runs between the buildings and under the trees on the PSU campus.
I could not get any pictures that really caught the size and atmosphere of the place, but I tried.
The market was packed with all kinds of people.
We picked up a few vegetables and decided we should head here for Saturday breakfast and a little shopping. We can catch the bus from in front of our place and get dropped off at the market for $5 (for the both of us) why drive and pay to park?
There were a lot of good food vendors there. Now here is a great environmental trick. To save trees, trash, and landfill, the vendors serve on real plates. After you have enjoyed your meal, simple return your plate and they get washed for the next time.
I have never lived in a city before but am grooving on Portland for sure.
Saturday Market Old Town.
Up in Old Town on the river is the Saturday Market. This market is more food vendor and goodies to buy. Completely different flavor than the Farmers Market at PSU. Fun place to walk around, street actors, completely different people up here, etc... One end of the market in the River and the other ends at Voodoo Doughnuts. The line for a doughnut on a Saturday is blocks long, but no one seems to mind. Rose loves their famous Bacon Maple Bar doughnut.
Back to Mi Mero Mole for lunch.
OK, you get a Beer, a Shot, and a Burrito for $10. Ya, you want it!
Casual place and the food is really good. Definitely, some of the best Mexican food we have eaten in the states.
Tulip Fest - Fianlly got there!
Great sunny day and we are off to the Tulip Fest.
Wow Tulips as far as the eye can see. We have never seen this before. The pictures just don't do the field justice.
We walked up and down some of the rows and Rose picked some flowers to bring home.
Click for larger image...
Old Steam Tractors were on hand. They were all running. I was amazed at these old machines from the early 1900's. I found out that they are mainly used as 'Portable Engines' not necessarily to pull stuff around. Although the one on the right from 911 was used to pull the grader to build HWY 26 from Portland to Seaside.
There is a very large Fly Wheel on the right side of the engine and a belt would be run between it and whatever they needed to run, cotton gin, baler, saw mill, etc... They take 3 hours to build up enough steam to run, so when they were in use someone stayed up all night tending them, so they would be ready in the morning.
Very cool...
Hops for Beer!
Portland is a world renown beer city. One of the reasons the beer here is so good, is that it is one of only a few places in the country that crows hops. We passed many fields where you could see the land setup for growing hops. They have telephone pols with wires (I don't know what they are made of) running from the ground up. The plants grow up the wires. OK, I'm ready for a beer!
Movies and pictures are great, but always nice to see things in person.
Wow Tulips as far as the eye can see. We have never seen this before. The pictures just don't do the field justice.
We walked up and down some of the rows and Rose picked some flowers to bring home.
Click for larger image...
There is a very large Fly Wheel on the right side of the engine and a belt would be run between it and whatever they needed to run, cotton gin, baler, saw mill, etc... They take 3 hours to build up enough steam to run, so when they were in use someone stayed up all night tending them, so they would be ready in the morning.
Very cool...
Hops for Beer!
Portland is a world renown beer city. One of the reasons the beer here is so good, is that it is one of only a few places in the country that crows hops. We passed many fields where you could see the land setup for growing hops. They have telephone pols with wires (I don't know what they are made of) running from the ground up. The plants grow up the wires. OK, I'm ready for a beer!
Movies and pictures are great, but always nice to see things in person.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Cannon Beach Day Trip
We have blogged about Cannon Beach before. It is a great day trip or weekend on the coast east of Portland. Beautiful drive through the coast range with lot of tall trees and rivers.
It was a tossup between the Wooden Shoe & Tulip Farm and going to Cannon Beach today. It has been raining for the last couple of days (go figure Portland) and we thought the fields may be a bit muddy. But, when I checked online about the conditions at the Wooden Shoe & Tulip Farm and saw they were having an Easter Egg Hunt I said - "Forget It" I'll pick a destination at least 200 miles from a bunch of screaming kids. So, Cannon Beach won the pick for the day.
The other reason for our sortie to Cannon Beach was finalizing the hotel pick for our 20th wedding anniversary. OHG - 20 years of marriage.
We really like the Waves Oceanfront. We just wanted to make sure so we checked it out and made the reservation. Six months early, but Cannon Beach books up fast. We got the room we wanted 2nd floor at the end of the building right over the Ecola River and the Beach. We'll be hanging out on the porch enjoying the views and Champagne.
We had fun walking, off the beating path, south of the main town along the beach houses. Rose said, "OMG, How much do these cost"? I said, "OHG, How much do these cost to insure"? Rose and I are no strangers to beautiful beach houses and these were really nicely done with beautiful gardens. These streets were a quite alcove off the beaten track and right on the coast.
We ask for a lunch recommendation and checked out those spots then had fun wondering the streets checking out some of the other restaurants for lunch and for further visits.Turns out the recommendations we got were the best and we had a nice lunch and beer a the Seasons Cafe. Local beer and a shoe box size Club Sandwich I don't think even Jeff could down in one setting. Rose really enjoyed her sandwich and she is not even a sandwich kind of girl. The beer was really good Jeff.
When we lived in Virginia, Rose and I found Chincoteague Island (your remember that place they swim the horses from the beach to the island every year). CD is the same sort of seaside small town with lots of local seafood, natural setting.
We think Cannon Beach is out new Chincoteague Island. In Chincoteague, we loved staying at The Inn at Poplar Corner and The Watson Guest House. It was great, we had a 2nd story room over looking the Gurbstake Grocery Store and we would drink wine and watch the comings and goings of people in the evening. OK, you had to be there, but the happenings in a convenient / grocery store parking lot are much more entertaining than you may think. It was hours of fun.
I'm playing with my camera shooting panorama shots. I need to start shooting some river backgrounds for my fly fishing website and blog, so I practiced with the two shots below. I can see I need some more practice at these types of shots.
Click on the pictures to see the full size.
It was a tossup between the Wooden Shoe & Tulip Farm and going to Cannon Beach today. It has been raining for the last couple of days (go figure Portland) and we thought the fields may be a bit muddy. But, when I checked online about the conditions at the Wooden Shoe & Tulip Farm and saw they were having an Easter Egg Hunt I said - "Forget It" I'll pick a destination at least 200 miles from a bunch of screaming kids. So, Cannon Beach won the pick for the day.
The other reason for our sortie to Cannon Beach was finalizing the hotel pick for our 20th wedding anniversary. OHG - 20 years of marriage.
We really like the Waves Oceanfront. We just wanted to make sure so we checked it out and made the reservation. Six months early, but Cannon Beach books up fast. We got the room we wanted 2nd floor at the end of the building right over the Ecola River and the Beach. We'll be hanging out on the porch enjoying the views and Champagne.
We had fun walking, off the beating path, south of the main town along the beach houses. Rose said, "OMG, How much do these cost"? I said, "OHG, How much do these cost to insure"? Rose and I are no strangers to beautiful beach houses and these were really nicely done with beautiful gardens. These streets were a quite alcove off the beaten track and right on the coast.
We ask for a lunch recommendation and checked out those spots then had fun wondering the streets checking out some of the other restaurants for lunch and for further visits.Turns out the recommendations we got were the best and we had a nice lunch and beer a the Seasons Cafe. Local beer and a shoe box size Club Sandwich I don't think even Jeff could down in one setting. Rose really enjoyed her sandwich and she is not even a sandwich kind of girl. The beer was really good Jeff.
When we lived in Virginia, Rose and I found Chincoteague Island (your remember that place they swim the horses from the beach to the island every year). CD is the same sort of seaside small town with lots of local seafood, natural setting.
We think Cannon Beach is out new Chincoteague Island. In Chincoteague, we loved staying at The Inn at Poplar Corner and The Watson Guest House. It was great, we had a 2nd story room over looking the Gurbstake Grocery Store and we would drink wine and watch the comings and goings of people in the evening. OK, you had to be there, but the happenings in a convenient / grocery store parking lot are much more entertaining than you may think. It was hours of fun.
I'm playing with my camera shooting panorama shots. I need to start shooting some river backgrounds for my fly fishing website and blog, so I practiced with the two shots below. I can see I need some more practice at these types of shots.
Click on the pictures to see the full size.
 | |||
| The Waves Oceanfront looking south down the beach. We booked the room on the second floor. |
 |
| That is the Waves Oceanfront looking north up the coast. |
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Bob's Red Mill - Breakfast & Tour
We all know Bob's Red Mill great products from the grocery store. As it turns out the are based in Portland!
Rose found some tickets for breakfast and I felt like skylarking (West Indian for playing hookie from work) so we made the Thursday morning out of it.
The breakfast was good, and the store was really amazing. I had know idea they made so many products. When we lived on the east coast, you would see maybe 10 of their products, but there are so many. The pictures below cover just a small part of the store.
After breakfast we headed to the mill for a 1.5 hour tour. It was a bit different that other factory tours I have been on. We first saw a short film mainly about Bob and his wife Charlie's life and how they got into the milling business, and how they lost everything they owned at age 60 and rebuilt their lives. I thought their business philosophy was great.
The short story is Bob is an engineer, loves tinkering with things, loved the old stone mill stones and it when on from there. All of the grain is ground on old stone mill stones. This is not a high production plant. The grain is ground slow and "cold" as we found out if very important in keeping the nutrition in the food.
We had a great tour guide that talked us around part of the plant and was full of information. I really learned a lot about the different ways they grind, cut, roll, etc.. grain. I also learned more about gluten free that I ever needed to know, but fascinating stuff. Also, what types of flower to use for bread, pastry, muffins, I have been doing this all wrong - now I know why.
Bob and his wife are great people. He is more concerned about making a good product than making a fortune. In fact, when he was ready to retire, he turned down the offers from the mega food companies and - "Gave the company to his employees". Cool Dude!
Rose found some tickets for breakfast and I felt like skylarking (West Indian for playing hookie from work) so we made the Thursday morning out of it.
The breakfast was good, and the store was really amazing. I had know idea they made so many products. When we lived on the east coast, you would see maybe 10 of their products, but there are so many. The pictures below cover just a small part of the store.
After breakfast we headed to the mill for a 1.5 hour tour. It was a bit different that other factory tours I have been on. We first saw a short film mainly about Bob and his wife Charlie's life and how they got into the milling business, and how they lost everything they owned at age 60 and rebuilt their lives. I thought their business philosophy was great.
The short story is Bob is an engineer, loves tinkering with things, loved the old stone mill stones and it when on from there. All of the grain is ground on old stone mill stones. This is not a high production plant. The grain is ground slow and "cold" as we found out if very important in keeping the nutrition in the food.
We had a great tour guide that talked us around part of the plant and was full of information. I really learned a lot about the different ways they grind, cut, roll, etc.. grain. I also learned more about gluten free that I ever needed to know, but fascinating stuff. Also, what types of flower to use for bread, pastry, muffins, I have been doing this all wrong - now I know why.
Bob and his wife are great people. He is more concerned about making a good product than making a fortune. In fact, when he was ready to retire, he turned down the offers from the mega food companies and - "Gave the company to his employees". Cool Dude!
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| Restaurant and Store |
Some of the old Mill Stones, but this is what they still use today. They are produced from quartz from a quarry outside of Paris, France.
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