A Weekend in the California Sun

Over the weekend Morgen and I visited family friends in Santa Barbara. Here are a few shots of our time in Southern California:

St. Nick and a Tree

His loot

Her loot

Morgen got distracted by the chickens.

Fun Times at a Tacky Sweater Party

p.s.

Proof that we're having just as much fun two years later.

A Day Trip to Hood River and Multnomah Falls

Morgen and I decided yesterday to drive the sixty miles east and spend the afternoon in Hood River. The town is very small, only about 6000 residents. But the downtown, particularly Oak Street, is very cool and old. Most of the brick buildings were built between 1910 and 1920 and the town has a very western feel.

Hood River has several fantastic breweries, of which we sampled two. First we went to Double Mountain and had lunch. Their pizza was surprisingly great and their beer was as good as we expected. The ambiance was also very nice in their small taproom as families with little kids were there as well as a good number of locals. Then we went to Full Sail, the more recognizable of the two. Full Sail is an Oregon institution and has some of the best beers in the state. But because they are a little more well known, their taproom was completely packed with tourists. That’s great for business but made our experience a little less interesting. Still though, the Full Sail beer was great.

On the way back we stopped by Multnomah Falls to snap a few photos. Next spring we’ll have to go and do the five mile hike around the falls, but yesterday it was cold and the sun was near setting. So we watched the falls for a few minutes with about two thousand other people and then headed back to Portland. All in all, a great day exploring some places outside of our now-familiar NW Portland.

Only in Portland – Unicycling, Bagpiping Santa

Happy Thanksgiving from Bridgetown

For Recipes:

Oh Alder

A big thank you to Bonnie Jones for making such a great photo block of an alder leaf, which is now proudly displayed on my desk. Next office related item to purchase: a big neon sign that reads “history is awesome” or perhaps a sandwich board to wear around town with “Like history? Me too. Now pay me to research something.” emblazoned across it.

p.s. check other pieces by Bonnie at her shop.

The Gilbert Project

I am a bit obsessed with the toy horses strewn about this city, so much I often walk with my eyes focused on the ground, searching for more and more undiscovered horses. This obsession has resulted in a somewhat absurd project, the Gilbert Project, or Gil to those wishing for more informality. Gil was acquired at a local toy store, along with some steel wire to prevent eager children or kleptomania prone adults from pilfering dear Gilbert. Gil shall be fastened to the horse ring outside our apartment building and then monitored to see how long he lasts in the harsh environs of urban Portland before he is kidnapped or mauled. If you live in Northwest, stop by and greet ole Gil.

What We Saw – Cars

1975 Ford Mustang

1962 Pontiac Star Chief

1963 Ford Thunderbird

1961 Rambler American Deluxe

1968 Chevrolet Chevelle 327

1969 Volkwagen Type III Fastback

1962 Porsche 356B 1600 S T-6

Only in Portland

Last night, as I walked back from watching Monday Night Football downtown, I passed a series of small Christmas trees outside the Nines Hotel near Pioneer Square. Setting aside the fact that it is only early November and there were already Christmas decorations, I saw something very unique. Each tree had a string of white lights that were attached to a small solar power chip. There must have been eight or so trees, all with their own solar chip. Only in Portland.