Fall in the Arboretum

 

And a Few more Days in Oregon

 

After Redmond Sharon and I headed west and north for more Oregon adventure. We left Redmond on a beautiful sunny morning and drove through Sisters, the Santiem pass to Salem. In Salem we stopped for lunch at a mom and pop hamburger spot. There were several Sheriff's vehicles there so we knew it was good - and it was.

 

This day was filled with driving, enjoying the scenery and a couple of winery visits. Our first winery was Amity. I visited here years ago and we both enjoy their wines. We had a nice visit, sampling a number of wines and ordering some to enjoy back home. We then went to Elk Cove for some more tastes and some more orders! We have been members of their club for a number of years and enjoy their wines, We sent six more bottles home. Our day's travels ended at McMenamin's Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. This is a funky hotel that was originally built in 1922 as a Masonic & Eastern Star home. One of their features is a theater where they show movies nightly. We watched the first Presidential Debate will sipping on cocktails and eating popcorn. Where was Obama?

 

The Amity kittie greets Sharon

 

 

Grand Lodge

 



David Hill Winery

 

On Thursday we headed out to find some wineries that we have neither visited or heard of. Of first stop was at David Hill. This winery is in a lovely setting and their wines are delicious. We ended up with orders for a case of Gewurztraminer and then several other wines, plus we joined their wine club.

Our next stop was a real oddity - Shafer Wines. Miki Shafer is the owner and winemaker. She and her husband planted vines on this property 40 years ago. He is gone now but she is still growing and making wines. She let us wander through her vineyards, answered a lot of questions about her grapes and her wines, and we bought for shipping some of her Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. A delightful lady and lovely place to visit and slow down.

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

After Shafer we headed back to town to find a lunch spot. We ended up at Izgara Middle Eastern Grill where we gorged on humus and falafel and olives and other good things. Delicious! We walked around downtown Forest Grove and found a gallery filled with art from local artists - Valley Art. We ended up with a Giclee print by Jane Aukshunas. When we travel we are always on the lookout for food related art that would look good in our home. This one fit the bill with bold colors, strong graphic design, and a scene of hazelnut trees and blackberry bushes!

Friday - on to Portland! We checked out of the Grand Lodge late in the morning and headed for the Portland airport where we dropped off the rental car. We rode the MAX light rail into downtown Portland. $5.00 for both of us and an interesting ride, elevated until it hit downtown and then at street level. It took about 40 minutes but at least we were not in Portland traffic which is terrible! We got off the train three blocks from our hotel, the Hotel Lucia. Wonderful! Great location, beautifully decorated with wonderful photographs by David Kennerly, comfy bed and pillows. A winner.

Next stop a bite to eat and cocktails! We wandered around downtown Portland looking for a likely spot and ran into the Red Star Tavern. We went for happy hour and stayed for dinner. Happy hour was great with drink specials and small plates. Dinner was even better. Colby and Sharon both agree that this restaurant is a must for a visit to Portland.

Saturday was another late start day for us. We had breakfast at The Original: A Dinerant. No complaints from us! Delicious. There are a lot of breakfast dining choices in downtown Portland this was close to the hotel and very good. After breakfast we went to the Portland Saturday Market. Many booths with food, crafts, junk, and art. We ate and drank our way through the afternoon in Portland. Our wanderings we taking us toward the Portland Art Museum but Colby needed a toilet break. We ended up in the Brasserie Montmartre for happy hour (Portland is a happy hour paradise!). We had olives and pommes frites and oysters and Tavel rose. What a way to wile away a couple of hours. Oh, and the toilets were in the basement just like in Paris.

Next stop wine bar! Oregon Wines on Broadway. We each had the "Reserve Sampler" which included wines from Colene Clemens, Domaine Serene, and Patricia Green. Then we had a glass of Shea Wine Celler's Estate Pinot Noir. This is a fun place with quirky ladies behind the bar and delicious wines. Another must do in Portland.

After a stumble to our hotel we headed to out dinner reservations at Huber's - the oldest restaurant in Portland. This place was established in 1879! We had a bottle of wine (what, more wine?) and Sharon had Huber's specialty, turkey. I had cioppino - one of the best I have had. After dinner we managed to find our way back to the hotel to pack in preparation for leaving at 6:00am on Sunday.

Early the next morning we walked to Pioneer Square to catch the light rail back to the airport. It was an uneventful ride and we checked our bags and went through security and on to breakfast. I was flying back to Chicago and Sharon was headed to Seattle and then on to Juneau so she could make a little money to pay for our adventures. Speaking of which, we had a grand time in Oregon despite both us us having colds. We will spend time again in Portland, and maybe even see more than the inside of bars and restaurants!

Portland Has Many Food Options!

Ten Days in Redmond

I flew into Portland and drove to Remond on September 22 so that I could help John and Kristie feel better prepared for their wedding on September 29. Our goal was for me to help finish some projects in the house and run errands. I helped as much as I could and enjoyed my visit spending time with Avery and Anika and with John and Kristie.

 

On Sunday September 23 Avery and I paid a visit to a little lake in Bend and did some fishing. Avery brought a honking spinning rod and I brought a little 3 weight Fly rod. Avery caught his humongous bass on the fly rod. We had a good afternoon at the lake fishing, talking, eating lunch, and generally having a great time. At the end of the day Avery expressed an interest in having his own fly rod and as you see from the last photo in this edition of ColbyJ's Ramblings he now has one. I gave him mine - but I had to argue with him about it! He did not want to take my fly rod but he is thrilled to have it.

 

Check out that bass!

 

During the rest of the week I spent my days with painter's putty, tape, and primer, being the handyman. On Monday, Tuesday, and then Wednesday afternoon I picked up the kids after school and we amused ourselves at the park or shopping. I hope they had as much fun as I did!

 

Thursday and Friday were errand days with excitement such as trips to Costco with Kristie to stock up for the wedding party on Saturday. Sharon arrived in Redmond Thursday evening and on Friday evening we hosted a "Rehearsal Dinner" at Anthony's in Bend even though there was not a rehearsal! But, not before a trip to the nail salon for Sharon, Kristie, Anika, and Colby. Manis and pedis for Kristie and Anika, pedi for Sharon and mani for me. We were all stylin'.

 

 

Family started arriving on Thursday for the Saturday wedding, the house got busier and busier leading up to the 2:00 event at Stack's Park in Redmond. It was a lovely setting and Kristie's brother in law Terry did a fine job officiating. He has a future here!

 

 

Avery, John, Anika, Kristie, and Rev Terry

 

 

John's mom, Janeal, recently passed away but John and Kristie had her photograph at the park so that she was included in the wedding.

 

 

We had a great party at the house after the wedding and despite most of us fighting colds everyone enjoyed the afternoon and evening. Avery and Sharon and I went fishing on the Crooked River on Sunday then came home to and early dinner and the kids headed to bed a 7:00 to prepare for school on Monday. On Monday Sharon and I met Kendra for lunch in Bend and had a nice visit.

 

Throughout the day on Monday I felt worse and worse and Sharon wanted me to go see a doctor. In the evening I said that if I had a fever I would go. Turns out I did and it was off to the urgent care center for me. I ended up with a pile of perscriptions that I shared with Sharon and Kristie. Sudafed and codine cough syrup can sure help you sleep! Sharon and I delayed our departure from Redmond so that we could just rest and recover, a wise move.

 

Avery on the Crooked