Wrapping up our trip this morning by dropping off the rental car, and having a great brunch at...yes. Red Star Tavern. Seems fitting that we started our dining there and ended it there.
We are heading back home later today, and have only about an hour and a half left to kill, so we will spend it reading (me), watching football (Chris), and maybe heading to the hotel bar for a beer before we leave.
Yet again, an amazing, fun, drunken, bloated, lovely trip to Portland. Always a little melancholy when we leave, but we know we'll be back soon for another amazing vacation.
XOXO - thanks for reading!
Patty
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Wardrobe Score
We are coming home with not one...not two...not three...not four...but FIVE new beer T-Shirts! Inventory:
- 2 Full Sail T-Shirts (this shouldn't count because they are replacements for old ones)
- 1 Upright T-Shirt for me!
- 2 Commons T-Shirts
SO EXCITED!!
Seriously
Though the picture doesn't do it justice, this is a woman walking her chihuahua...THAT IS WEARING A SHARK COSTUME.
And this is a car that was driven by a woman named Delores.
And this is a car that was driven by a woman named Delores.
Saturday...Phase 4 - Portland Area Breweries & Dinner
So the last half of the afternoon and evening were spend at three more breweries and out for dinner.
Brewery #1 = Upright Brewing. It was in the basement of this building where I swear every street was one way AWAY from it. We almost got a divorce trying to get there. However, we persevered, and stopped in for a sampler. Excellent beers!! Very glad we got to go. And they had a turntable, where they first put on a Bob Dylan album, and then The Band. We left during "Up on Cripple Creek." Good time.
Brewery #2 = The Commons. GREAT little brewery...again, lots of saisons, and the guy serving was from Green Bay. While we were there, the "PedalLounge" pulled up. Pedal Pub knock off..again. And the 12 women that stumbled off of it were so clueless about beer. They just bellied up to the bar and said things like, "What will I like?" What the fuck do they think the guy is going to say?? Um...nothing, our beer sucks and tastes like shit, you might as well go somewhere else. WTF??
Brewery #3 = Gigantic. Again...meh. Didn't do much for me. Cute little set up, Chris had an IPA, but overall I was unimpressed.
Dinner = Ava Gene's. This was written up extensively in Bon Appetit and Food & Wine. And the food was great. Had a wonderful starter of four different salamis and prosciutto, and then a kale salad (which was good, but the one at True Food Kitchen in Scottsdale was a touch better). We finished with two pastas that were to die for. Now here is the problem...tap lines...DIRTY. We both had a Sierra Nevada, and it was bad. I mean, clean your god damn lines!! Just shows they don't care about beer. Which was also evident from the six beers they had on their list. I also have never seen such an odd setup with getting waited on. The waiter came over only literally like 4 times. Three different people brought our food, and the hostess brought us our bill. It was strange...but I would recommend the food and would go there again.
Brewery #1 = Upright Brewing. It was in the basement of this building where I swear every street was one way AWAY from it. We almost got a divorce trying to get there. However, we persevered, and stopped in for a sampler. Excellent beers!! Very glad we got to go. And they had a turntable, where they first put on a Bob Dylan album, and then The Band. We left during "Up on Cripple Creek." Good time.
Brewery #2 = The Commons. GREAT little brewery...again, lots of saisons, and the guy serving was from Green Bay. While we were there, the "PedalLounge" pulled up. Pedal Pub knock off..again. And the 12 women that stumbled off of it were so clueless about beer. They just bellied up to the bar and said things like, "What will I like?" What the fuck do they think the guy is going to say?? Um...nothing, our beer sucks and tastes like shit, you might as well go somewhere else. WTF??
Brewery #3 = Gigantic. Again...meh. Didn't do much for me. Cute little set up, Chris had an IPA, but overall I was unimpressed.
Dinner = Ava Gene's. This was written up extensively in Bon Appetit and Food & Wine. And the food was great. Had a wonderful starter of four different salamis and prosciutto, and then a kale salad (which was good, but the one at True Food Kitchen in Scottsdale was a touch better). We finished with two pastas that were to die for. Now here is the problem...tap lines...DIRTY. We both had a Sierra Nevada, and it was bad. I mean, clean your god damn lines!! Just shows they don't care about beer. Which was also evident from the six beers they had on their list. I also have never seen such an odd setup with getting waited on. The waiter came over only literally like 4 times. Three different people brought our food, and the hostess brought us our bill. It was strange...but I would recommend the food and would go there again.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Saturday...Phase 3 - Fruit Loop
OK, so we dashed down one side of the Fruit Loop, and got a few great pictures of Mt. Hood, as well as stopping at a little glass blowing place where I got these FABULOUS glass pumpkins!! So cute. And look how excited I am!!
Then we stopped at a lavender farm and just walked around for about 10 minutes. Very serene...
Then we stopped at a lavender farm and just walked around for about 10 minutes. Very serene...
Saturday...Phase 2 - Hood River
Saturday Phase 2: We drove to Hood River to hit a couple of breweries, drive through the Gorge, and to drive through the Fruit Loop.
This is a picture of Horsetail Falls - GORGE-ous. Get it?
Started our brewery tour at Double Mountain in Hood River. Had an awesome pizza and a sampler. See below. Also see the Diet Coke I was drinking because I was DD today.
Then we went to pFriem Brewing. Meh. That is what I have to say about it. They had three saisons and they were overpoweringly peppery. Not my bag. Chris liked the IPA.
Our last tasting stop near Hood River was Foxtail Cider - we were there for about 12 minutes, and Chris guzzled down three ciders samples.
It really was like we were running from place to place. It was comical, but look at all we jammed in within a few hours!!
This is a picture of Horsetail Falls - GORGE-ous. Get it?
Started our brewery tour at Double Mountain in Hood River. Had an awesome pizza and a sampler. See below. Also see the Diet Coke I was drinking because I was DD today.
Our last tasting stop near Hood River was Foxtail Cider - we were there for about 12 minutes, and Chris guzzled down three ciders samples.
It really was like we were running from place to place. It was comical, but look at all we jammed in within a few hours!!
Saturday...Phase 1 - Grown Up Stuff
Saturday Phase 1: We met with a Realtor this morning to talk about the potential of buying an investment property here in Portland. It was extremely informative, and when we left my stomach hurt from the anxiety! This is WAY to grown up for me. Sweaty...
Friday, October 18, 2013
Worst Wine Bar - Ever.
So right around the corner from our hotel is a wine bar called Oregon Wines on Broadway. We thought, hey let's go get a glass of wine and a cheese plate before our dinner at clarklewis.
So we get there, and there are only two seats left at the bar in this really small place. On my left was a woman who was sitting cross-legged on the stool, totally invading the space to the left and right of her. So we squashed in, and waited to get waited on. I looked over, and it was as if she was a wild dog. There were bread crumbs, cheese fall out, and shit spilled all over the bar. Jesus Christ - who taught you to eat?? Wolves?? I just wanted to punch her in the head from the moment I walked in.
And there were only two people working there, and it's very labor intensive to serve all those samples to people - um...hire more people. So we ordered a flight, some cheese, and some Marcona almonds - which I was REALLY in the mood for.
Strike 1 - "We are out of bread, so I can give you crackers?"
Strike 2 - Never brought me my Marcona almonds.
Strike 3 - The lovely older couple who came in and sat next to us were very nice but the amount of perfume or cologne they had on made Chris's eyes burn.
We were so crabby by the time we left we just came back to the hotel...and now Chris is watching Argo while I write this and we wait to leave for our dinner.
If you are ever here...SKIP THIS PLACE.
So we get there, and there are only two seats left at the bar in this really small place. On my left was a woman who was sitting cross-legged on the stool, totally invading the space to the left and right of her. So we squashed in, and waited to get waited on. I looked over, and it was as if she was a wild dog. There were bread crumbs, cheese fall out, and shit spilled all over the bar. Jesus Christ - who taught you to eat?? Wolves?? I just wanted to punch her in the head from the moment I walked in.
And there were only two people working there, and it's very labor intensive to serve all those samples to people - um...hire more people. So we ordered a flight, some cheese, and some Marcona almonds - which I was REALLY in the mood for.
Strike 1 - "We are out of bread, so I can give you crackers?"
Strike 2 - Never brought me my Marcona almonds.
Strike 3 - The lovely older couple who came in and sat next to us were very nice but the amount of perfume or cologne they had on made Chris's eyes burn.
We were so crabby by the time we left we just came back to the hotel...and now Chris is watching Argo while I write this and we wait to leave for our dinner.
If you are ever here...SKIP THIS PLACE.
Nothing but wine, as far as the eye could see...
We started our winery day at Beaux Freres - a great little winery we visited for the first time last year. They are small and boutique-y, and have a couple of really fantastic Pinot Noirs. Loved it. Spent about 30 minutes there and picked up three lovely bottles of 2008 and 2009 for the wine fridge.
Next stop: Argyle! We are wine club members there, so we shared a taste of basically everything they had. Picked up another three bottles: a bubbly Brut, a really great Reisling, and a Pinot Noir.
We then went to lunch at Red Hills Market - nom, nom, nom!!! We had a wonderful lunch - couple of half sandwiches (ham/gruyere/honey butter - which BTW, you could put honey butter on anything and it would make it taste good...really), and a flat bread. I love this place. Really - if you are ever here, eat there.
After lunch we went to a small winery called Brick House. We were there for almost an hour and a half, and Steve, who worked there, treated us to five different wines, including a 2012 Pinot that isn't ready for release yet. It was so great. The day was picture perfect - and we sat outside for about 45 minutes with the other person at the tasting. Her name was Natasha, and she was from Australia and vacationing in the Pacific NW. She knew a ton about wine, and asked great questions and had a wealth of knowledge.
After Brick House, we finished off our day at Sokol Blosser - our first wine club ever. It was good - but not great. I remember when we first came here four years ago, it was kind of a smallish winery, very informal. Today we visited their huge new tasting room/facility. It was beautiful, but I miss that small winery feel, like at Beaux Freres and Brick House. Bought a few bottles and just sat outside for about 20 minutes.
Next stop: Argyle! We are wine club members there, so we shared a taste of basically everything they had. Picked up another three bottles: a bubbly Brut, a really great Reisling, and a Pinot Noir.
We then went to lunch at Red Hills Market - nom, nom, nom!!! We had a wonderful lunch - couple of half sandwiches (ham/gruyere/honey butter - which BTW, you could put honey butter on anything and it would make it taste good...really), and a flat bread. I love this place. Really - if you are ever here, eat there.
After lunch we went to a small winery called Brick House. We were there for almost an hour and a half, and Steve, who worked there, treated us to five different wines, including a 2012 Pinot that isn't ready for release yet. It was so great. The day was picture perfect - and we sat outside for about 45 minutes with the other person at the tasting. Her name was Natasha, and she was from Australia and vacationing in the Pacific NW. She knew a ton about wine, and asked great questions and had a wealth of knowledge.
After Brick House, we finished off our day at Sokol Blosser - our first wine club ever. It was good - but not great. I remember when we first came here four years ago, it was kind of a smallish winery, very informal. Today we visited their huge new tasting room/facility. It was beautiful, but I miss that small winery feel, like at Beaux Freres and Brick House. Bought a few bottles and just sat outside for about 20 minutes.
AND. I was lucid, awake, and not hammered. All day. Good girl.
Friday Breakfast - Brunch Box
Today began with a trip to Brunch Box, a sandwich/burger/breakfast sandwich shop just around the corner. Let me first tell you what you COULD get at Brunch Box, just two of their many frightening things:
Redonkadonk: The OMG Burger with two grilled cheese sandwiches instead of a bun.
OMG Burger: Patty with american, bacon, ham, spam, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, ketchup, mustard and mayo.
GOOD GOD! I mean honestly. A burger with TWO grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun?? It puts the Luther Vandross Burger to shame.
So I got a fried egg and sausage sandwich on an English Muffin. And it was awesome. A little gut-wrenching, but nonetheless awesome.
And I just realized...I should have gotten the fried egg sandwich on TWO GRILLED CHEESE sandwiches instead of the English Muffin!!! God help me, I would have if I had thought of it.
Redonkadonk: The OMG Burger with two grilled cheese sandwiches instead of a bun.
OMG Burger: Patty with american, bacon, ham, spam, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, ketchup, mustard and mayo.
GOOD GOD! I mean honestly. A burger with TWO grilled cheese sandwiches as the bun?? It puts the Luther Vandross Burger to shame.
So I got a fried egg and sausage sandwich on an English Muffin. And it was awesome. A little gut-wrenching, but nonetheless awesome.
And I just realized...I should have gotten the fried egg sandwich on TWO GRILLED CHEESE sandwiches instead of the English Muffin!!! God help me, I would have if I had thought of it.
Wine, Wine, and More Wine Today!!
Wineries today. My faithful and fearless driver, Chris, will be chauffeuring me around to about four or five different wineries. Here is what I looked like last year:
Wonder what I'll look like later today?
Wonder what I'll look like later today?
Piazza Italia, amazing once again.
We had this amazing antipasti of fresh burrata, arugula, and prosciutto with a little olive oil and fresh pepper. Hi. I love you.
Followed it up with our favorite pasta dishes. Then lumbered back to the hotel.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
All Right...Thursday - From the Top
We woke up this morning at our usual 5:30-ish, our minds and bodies conditioned to that time. Except on the west coast, that is 3:30 AM!!! Since I fell asleep promptly at 8:30 PM last night, it worked out. We kind of tossed and turned until a little before 6:00, and then got up and figured out the day.
At about 9:00 AM, we walked over to Voodoo Doughnuts for our sugar fix. Got a Portland Creme, the Memphis Mafia (an apple fritter with chocolate chips, caramel, and nuts), a couple of old fashioned, a cake doughnut, and the Voodoo Doughnut himself. Let's just say, I'm not a huge doughnut fan, and holy Christ, they were tasty. I mean really, why not eat these while you are here? They are amazing. I'm not exactly even sure what that Voodoo one has in it, but what the hell, right?
After we ate our Voodoo Doughnuts, we took a cab to Saraveza - AMAZING little restaurant/bar/liquor store all in one. Had a couple of great beers, amazing pickled deviled eggs (see previous posts) and shared a pasty and some soup. I mean honestly, why don't we have a place like this at home?? I'll tell you why, the stupid goddamn laws in Minnesota won't allow any deviation from the liquor stores sell liquor, breweries sell their own beer...only. Maybe it's the beer talking but we need to change this. It's RIDICULOUS. Me and Jason Alvey are going to have to get together and fix this shit.
After Saraveza, we took another cab to Cascade Brewing and had a few sour beers. YUMMY!! Their Summer Gose was especially nice - I bought a grenade of it....a cute little 32 oz. bottle that I will be drinking here, since apparently you can't take it on the plane (not corked or capped) and Chris is concerned about the strength of the glass. Blah, blah, blah. I guess I'll just have to drink it here. The most disconcerting part was hearing the background music. I was first aware of "Play the Game Tonight" by Kansas, and then a Bob Seeger song. They turned it around when Jethro Tull came on ("Aqualung") and then as we were getting the bill paid, "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" by Meatloaf. Ain't no doubt about it, when you're barely 17 and barely dressed, this is the song that makes you stop what you are doing and sing.
Then, stumbling out of Cascade Brewing, we took the bus to Belmont Station, where we had a couple of Pliny's on tap (um...amazing), and a couple of other beers. There was a food truck so we each had a pretzel with cheese whiz. It was at this point that I went from pleasantly drunk to shitfaced off my ass. There were many long text exchanges with Nancy and Kari and Ed, and I'm not totally sure about what they said. I'll have to go back and evaluate. Maybe I should just surrender my phone. I still look pretty damn good though - and I'm upright. Wow. I just can't drink this much. I'm kind of afraid about tomorrow at the wineries.
At the point that we left, we got on the bus back to the hotel and...I passed out. I don't mean I just nodded off, I PASSED OUT. With my head on Chris's shoulder. Then we got to the hotel at 4:00 and I continued my alcohol induced coma until 5:30...when I was going to get up and go shoe shopping across the street. No worries. I'll do that Saturday.
We are off tonight to Piazza Italia - one of our favorite places here in Portland. I think we have been here for dinner every time we've come. We went there the first time with cousin KL and her hubby MS when they lived here...alas, they have moved to San Diego...big bummer. But they turned us on to Piazza Italia, and that is what counts!!
At about 9:00 AM, we walked over to Voodoo Doughnuts for our sugar fix. Got a Portland Creme, the Memphis Mafia (an apple fritter with chocolate chips, caramel, and nuts), a couple of old fashioned, a cake doughnut, and the Voodoo Doughnut himself. Let's just say, I'm not a huge doughnut fan, and holy Christ, they were tasty. I mean really, why not eat these while you are here? They are amazing. I'm not exactly even sure what that Voodoo one has in it, but what the hell, right?
After we ate our Voodoo Doughnuts, we took a cab to Saraveza - AMAZING little restaurant/bar/liquor store all in one. Had a couple of great beers, amazing pickled deviled eggs (see previous posts) and shared a pasty and some soup. I mean honestly, why don't we have a place like this at home?? I'll tell you why, the stupid goddamn laws in Minnesota won't allow any deviation from the liquor stores sell liquor, breweries sell their own beer...only. Maybe it's the beer talking but we need to change this. It's RIDICULOUS. Me and Jason Alvey are going to have to get together and fix this shit.
After Saraveza, we took another cab to Cascade Brewing and had a few sour beers. YUMMY!! Their Summer Gose was especially nice - I bought a grenade of it....a cute little 32 oz. bottle that I will be drinking here, since apparently you can't take it on the plane (not corked or capped) and Chris is concerned about the strength of the glass. Blah, blah, blah. I guess I'll just have to drink it here. The most disconcerting part was hearing the background music. I was first aware of "Play the Game Tonight" by Kansas, and then a Bob Seeger song. They turned it around when Jethro Tull came on ("Aqualung") and then as we were getting the bill paid, "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" by Meatloaf. Ain't no doubt about it, when you're barely 17 and barely dressed, this is the song that makes you stop what you are doing and sing.
Then, stumbling out of Cascade Brewing, we took the bus to Belmont Station, where we had a couple of Pliny's on tap (um...amazing), and a couple of other beers. There was a food truck so we each had a pretzel with cheese whiz. It was at this point that I went from pleasantly drunk to shitfaced off my ass. There were many long text exchanges with Nancy and Kari and Ed, and I'm not totally sure about what they said. I'll have to go back and evaluate. Maybe I should just surrender my phone. I still look pretty damn good though - and I'm upright. Wow. I just can't drink this much. I'm kind of afraid about tomorrow at the wineries.
At the point that we left, we got on the bus back to the hotel and...I passed out. I don't mean I just nodded off, I PASSED OUT. With my head on Chris's shoulder. Then we got to the hotel at 4:00 and I continued my alcohol induced coma until 5:30...when I was going to get up and go shoe shopping across the street. No worries. I'll do that Saturday.
We are off tonight to Piazza Italia - one of our favorite places here in Portland. I think we have been here for dinner every time we've come. We went there the first time with cousin KL and her hubby MS when they lived here...alas, they have moved to San Diego...big bummer. But they turned us on to Piazza Italia, and that is what counts!!
At Saraveza...
We are very happy. Commons Grisette Table Beer, Silver Moon Hoptogon Double IPA, picked deviled eggs, and soup and a pasty on the way.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Bailey's Taproom
I love this place. Pints and half pints...and sometimes only 4 oz. depending on what you get. Like this Green Flash Green Bullet Triple IPA.
Red Star Tavern
This is becoming a sort of tradition for us. Get to the hotel, then head down to this restaurant to eat and have a beer. It really doesn't fail. These two beauties are a 10 Barrel IPA and a Boneyard Diablo Roho. Awesome.
Portland!!
This was our best view ever of Mt. Hood from our airplane as we made our way into Portland. It's so wonderful to be here - like visiting an old friend. We are heading out to drink! More to come.
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Sunday, August 4, 2013
Almost home...
Only five and a half more hours in the car...thank God. Leaving Omaha this morning and hopefully home by early afternoon.
It's been a great trip, boring drives at times, but we had an absolutely fantastic week with N&J and family - relaxing, fun, lots of laughing. All of which are good for the soul.
This was likely more of a boring blog run...that happens when we are just lazing and hanging with friends. Next trip - more interesting blog stuff!!
It's been a great trip, boring drives at times, but we had an absolutely fantastic week with N&J and family - relaxing, fun, lots of laughing. All of which are good for the soul.
This was likely more of a boring blog run...that happens when we are just lazing and hanging with friends. Next trip - more interesting blog stuff!!
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Omaha
Well, after a day of lots of driving...super boring scenery...28 chapters in "Defending Jacob" on audio book...we have landed in Omaha at 11:15.
The hotel we are in is pretty cool - Element Omaha. Green hotel, we are in a huge suite with a full size fridge, dishwasher, and living room. It's awesome.
And actually, and I can't believe I'm saying this...I'm bummed we didn't get here a few hours earlier because there are a couple of cool restaurants that we could have eaten at, versus the McDonald's in North Platte, Nebraska at a super scary truck stop where I thought I was going to get tied to the bumpers of two semis and pulled apart (nod to the Hitcher...for those of you that don't get the reference...).
Now I'm waiting for my Dry Dock Hefe Weizen to cool down in the freezer, then I'm going to enjoy a beer after a looonnnnnggggg day.
The hotel we are in is pretty cool - Element Omaha. Green hotel, we are in a huge suite with a full size fridge, dishwasher, and living room. It's awesome.
And actually, and I can't believe I'm saying this...I'm bummed we didn't get here a few hours earlier because there are a couple of cool restaurants that we could have eaten at, versus the McDonald's in North Platte, Nebraska at a super scary truck stop where I thought I was going to get tied to the bumpers of two semis and pulled apart (nod to the Hitcher...for those of you that don't get the reference...).
Now I'm waiting for my Dry Dock Hefe Weizen to cool down in the freezer, then I'm going to enjoy a beer after a looonnnnnggggg day.
Lunch w/ Mr. B!
Had a lovely lunch today with JB (my high school French/English teacher) and J. I haven't seen JB in 11 years, and it's been 28 since I was a freshman in his classes. It was absolutely fantastic! A great lunch, a great catch up, and it was so nice for Chris to meet my favorite teacher.
A great day.
A great day.
Goodbye mountains...
After a simply lovely week, we are bound for home. Much love to N&J our wonderful hosts and friends...
Friday, August 2, 2013
WTF??
So we were standing outside at sunset, and N was planting her vegetable garden, and all of a sudden I looked down the driveway and thought, "what the fuck is that???"
Then I realized that it was Maxie (the cat) running down the driveway at a full clip...being followed by a deer running after her!!
WTF? Seriously. When is the last time you saw that?
Then I realized that it was Maxie (the cat) running down the driveway at a full clip...being followed by a deer running after her!!
WTF? Seriously. When is the last time you saw that?
Last Day of Relaxation
Today was the epitome of a great last vacation day. Got up late, lazed around, read my book, went to the liquor store, got organized for an early morning departure.
We have had such an amazing week here - low key, low expectations, a lot of great food and drinking, and a lot of really great laughing with everyone. The most wonderful thing about great friends is that you can pick up where you left off, even thought you only see them one to two times a year, versus multiple times a month.
Heading out tomorrow for our llllllooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggggg trip back home through Nebraska. (Insert shudder here.)
BUT! First having lunch with Mr. B - my high school French and English teacher. Favorite and best teacher ever. EVER. Very much looking forward to seeing him again after about 11 years, and for C Chris to meet him. Then I think we will hit Dry Dock Brewing and then hit the open road for Nebraska.
Wonderful friends, wonderful week, wonderful life.
We have had such an amazing week here - low key, low expectations, a lot of great food and drinking, and a lot of really great laughing with everyone. The most wonderful thing about great friends is that you can pick up where you left off, even thought you only see them one to two times a year, versus multiple times a month.
Heading out tomorrow for our llllllooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggggg trip back home through Nebraska. (Insert shudder here.)
BUT! First having lunch with Mr. B - my high school French and English teacher. Favorite and best teacher ever. EVER. Very much looking forward to seeing him again after about 11 years, and for C Chris to meet him. Then I think we will hit Dry Dock Brewing and then hit the open road for Nebraska.
Wonderful friends, wonderful week, wonderful life.
Another lazy day...Thursday
J - our intrepid driver - drove the hour up a windy mountain road to Leadville, a cute little town up in the mountains. It's at 10,400 feet, lots of little antique stores, walked around, had a drink, then went down to Vail to walk around for an hour or so. Bought an AWESOME new pair of shoes. Wearing them today. Came home, took a quick nap, then went out to a fantastic dinner at Terra Bistro down in Vail. Great wine, champagne, dinner, and of course, fabulous company.
After that we did another liquor store run - doing one more today. Our car will be so weighted down with beer I'm not sure the value of the hybrid will be able to be utilized.
After that we did another liquor store run - doing one more today. Our car will be so weighted down with beer I'm not sure the value of the hybrid will be able to be utilized.
Lazy Days...
Wednesday was a great day - went to Glenwood Springs where we (1) rode in another gondola, (2) did two cave tours - super cool, and (3) had a super fun day all in all.
The pictures (one and two) are from a balcony that you came out on as part of the cave tour, and when you looked down you saw the first view, and when you looked to the right, you saw this swing ride that swung people over the canyon. NOT! Oh my God. First of all, I couldn't go anywhere near the edge of the balcony, and I can't understand what is wrong with those people on that swing. Why would you do that??
The next three pictures are the best we had - hard to take pics in the cave but it was super cool, and really beautiful.
Finished the night with burgers and brats at home, and hanging out with the family, pool and ping pong with the kids. Good day.
The pictures (one and two) are from a balcony that you came out on as part of the cave tour, and when you looked down you saw the first view, and when you looked to the right, you saw this swing ride that swung people over the canyon. NOT! Oh my God. First of all, I couldn't go anywhere near the edge of the balcony, and I can't understand what is wrong with those people on that swing. Why would you do that??
The next three pictures are the best we had - hard to take pics in the cave but it was super cool, and really beautiful.
Finished the night with burgers and brats at home, and hanging out with the family, pool and ping pong with the kids. Good day.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Hoarding Pliny
So we've picked up three bottles of Pliny this week...two that Chris bought, and another one that we shamelessly asked N&J's nanny to pick one up for us.
We are such bastards.
But we are here another two days...so we'll get more.
We are such bastards.
But we are here another two days...so we'll get more.
Tuesday!
Yesterday was another beautiful day - cool breeze, partly cloudy, great day for being outside.
We lazed around in the morning, and then Chris and I went for a walk. Wow. As fit as I think I am at home, at 9500 feet, there just is no oxygen!! We walked for about 30 minutes and then I was done. I felt like a bit fatty when just as I said, "OK, I need to stop," Chris was saying hello to a woman going up the same hill on a bike.
N and I then went to the spa where I had the most lovely body wrap. The woman gave me a great foot massage and I feel very pampered. The guys hit a couple of bars while we were at the spa, and then we met them for drinks and dinner...where I had too many old fashioneds. To counter act that, after dinner I had a cappuccino and chocolate pot de creme. Note: when battling altitude, don't:
1. Drink too much alcohol
2. Have that much caffeine before you go to bed
3. Have that much chocolate before you go to bed.
Needless to say, I am moving slowly after a night of very little sleep.
We are going on a hike today in Glenwood Springs - should have lots of fun and good pics!
We lazed around in the morning, and then Chris and I went for a walk. Wow. As fit as I think I am at home, at 9500 feet, there just is no oxygen!! We walked for about 30 minutes and then I was done. I felt like a bit fatty when just as I said, "OK, I need to stop," Chris was saying hello to a woman going up the same hill on a bike.
N and I then went to the spa where I had the most lovely body wrap. The woman gave me a great foot massage and I feel very pampered. The guys hit a couple of bars while we were at the spa, and then we met them for drinks and dinner...where I had too many old fashioneds. To counter act that, after dinner I had a cappuccino and chocolate pot de creme. Note: when battling altitude, don't:
1. Drink too much alcohol
2. Have that much caffeine before you go to bed
3. Have that much chocolate before you go to bed.
Needless to say, I am moving slowly after a night of very little sleep.
We are going on a hike today in Glenwood Springs - should have lots of fun and good pics!
I have been remiss...
Laying low and relaxing is certainly a good thing. So good I haven't blogged in two days.
Here is the run down on Monday's fun!
We got up, hung out, then went to Vail where we took the gondola up and did a short hike across to the other side of Vail where we took the gondola down. It wasn't as scary as I thought, although I did just take off my glasses so I couldn't see...but that just made me nauseated.
We then had lunch at Tavern on the Square in Vail, then came back, napped, and had a great dinner in. We capped off the night playing cards. All in all, an awesome first day!!
Here is the run down on Monday's fun!
We got up, hung out, then went to Vail where we took the gondola up and did a short hike across to the other side of Vail where we took the gondola down. It wasn't as scary as I thought, although I did just take off my glasses so I couldn't see...but that just made me nauseated.
We then had lunch at Tavern on the Square in Vail, then came back, napped, and had a great dinner in. We capped off the night playing cards. All in all, an awesome first day!!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Long Days Journey
We left Rapid City Sunday morning, and we encountered the most boring drive I have ever had. From Rapid City, through Wyoming and Cheyenne, then down to Fort Collins there is nothing. I guess you could say it is pretty, but that would be a stretch. My God it was boring.
We stopped at New Belgium in Fort Collins, only to find they are closed on Sunday. So we went over to Odell and had a sampler. Odell is totally different than it was seven years ago. Then it was just this little hippie brewery, small, and very small town. Today - big brewery, huge taproom, food trucks, the works.
After that we went to a little deli for lunch - Choice City. They had a ton of beers on tap, and had sandwiches. It was kind of a mess - we ordered, had to wait, Chris picked up our grilled cheese and Reuben sandwiches that were wrapped in paper, and I opened my grilled cheese and started eating. Chris opened his and it was a burger. He brought it back to the counter, and 15 minutes later he brought OUR lunch. Grilled cheese and a Reuben. So I apparently ate someone else's sandwich. Not sure I would go there again.
We then headed down to a place in Denver and saw our friends B & N, and their 9 month old baby. It was so great to see them, and to meet their little guy. Hung our for about an hour and a half, then headed to Avon to N & J's. Got here about 8pm, and settled in with a...
PLINY! Great friends know you very well, and the Pliny the Elder waiting for us proves that. It was just the right thing after all that time in the car...
Today is Monday, going hiking and then out for a bite. Hopefully more pictures today!
We stopped at New Belgium in Fort Collins, only to find they are closed on Sunday. So we went over to Odell and had a sampler. Odell is totally different than it was seven years ago. Then it was just this little hippie brewery, small, and very small town. Today - big brewery, huge taproom, food trucks, the works.
After that we went to a little deli for lunch - Choice City. They had a ton of beers on tap, and had sandwiches. It was kind of a mess - we ordered, had to wait, Chris picked up our grilled cheese and Reuben sandwiches that were wrapped in paper, and I opened my grilled cheese and started eating. Chris opened his and it was a burger. He brought it back to the counter, and 15 minutes later he brought OUR lunch. Grilled cheese and a Reuben. So I apparently ate someone else's sandwich. Not sure I would go there again.
We then headed down to a place in Denver and saw our friends B & N, and their 9 month old baby. It was so great to see them, and to meet their little guy. Hung our for about an hour and a half, then headed to Avon to N & J's. Got here about 8pm, and settled in with a...
PLINY! Great friends know you very well, and the Pliny the Elder waiting for us proves that. It was just the right thing after all that time in the car...
Today is Monday, going hiking and then out for a bite. Hopefully more pictures today!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Tatanka
OK, they were enormous. And I mean enormous!! And they just lumbered around, eating, and walking in and out of the cars, bellowing. They were scary!! But super cool.
Boring!!! Well...not totally...
The drive thorough South Dakota is super boring. I fell asleep twice before Chris has to take over until we got closer to Rapid City.
Drove through the Badlands and it's very pretty but stark. I can cross that one off my list.
When we arrived in Rapid city we checked into the hotel downtown and went to the Firehouse Brewery for lunch. The food hit the spot and was ok and the beer was shit. Blech...
We then headed out to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. I have to say Mt. Rushmore is pretty cool. Glad we went...but again...don't have to come back.
Crazy Horse seemed a little overpriced. It was $20 for us to get in - overrated. Then we went through the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park. Saw a groundhog (didn't get a picture), turkeys, prairie dogs, and lots and lots of buffalo. THEY ARE HUGE!!!!!!!!!! And kind of scary. We would drive a little ways and then there would be one walking kind of toward the car. We just both rolled up our windows simultaneously. Because that is going to stop a buffalo when it rams your car...the car window.
Pictures below!!
Badlands...
Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse...
Wildlife Loop at Custer!! Buffalo coming in another post...
Pictures below!!
Badlands...
Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse...
Wildlife Loop at Custer!! Buffalo coming in another post...
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