Postcards from San Diego - Parks & Photography

So this wraps up my Postcards from San Diego Series...at least for now.

And I'll let the photos speak for themselves - photos taken at Balboa Park and Presidio Park. 

"Postcards from San Diego - Parks & Photography"

"Postcards from San Diego" - Pass me the wine, please

"Postcards from San Diego - Pass Me the Wine Please"

San Diego may be known for beer, but if you go about an hour and a half north towards Ramona, there is a great little winery by the name of Hellanback Ranch. Not easy to find, so be sure to get directions. To learn more about the Winery and its owners check out this fun video:

Earning our keep...
So, we actually had the opportunity to help in bottling 40 cases of wine while visiting.
This was truly a great experience, and I'm really hopeful that we'll get to make it back for the harvest this year!

On bottling....
Even though bottling is just one part of the process of wine-making, I have a whole new appreciation for every bottle opened. Because when it's a small-boutique style winery, believe me, there's a lot of love and care that goes into that bottle. My arm can attest...I sealed roughly 480 bottles by hand!

So after earning our keep and bottling, I got to snag a few shots around the ranch, dogs, pigs and all.

 

Postcards from San Diego - Food & Drink Recommendations

"Postcards from San Diego - Food & Drink Recommendations"

Recently I traveled to San Diego for a little fun in the sun, beer tasting and wine bottling.

 And before I get to the posts highlighting my photography excursions, I thought I would share a snapshot of all the great food and drinks we got to check out while there.

Mission #1: Find Pliny the Elder. And the results....

Well, I finally got to try this famous Double IPA (Pliny the Elder) by Russian River Brewing Company...and I have to admit, I understand what all the hype is about. It was one of the best IPA's I've ever had. Hoppy, but super floral, and so smooth that it goes down way too easy. It's worth the trip out to the west coast and searching for the bar that has it on tap.

Mission # 2: Eat, drink and be merry. And so we did, at the following:

Alpine Beer Co. - A short drive outside of San Diego. Recommended Brews (besides all of them): Pure Hoppiness and the Mandarin Nectar.

Tiger Tiger - Great beer selection and phenomenal food like pork belly sandwiches slathered with pâté and fries covered in gravy (otherwise known as poutin).

Polite Provisions - Crazy good cocktails are served up at this trendy little spot. Just check out their phone number - 691.677.DRUG, and you'll have no doubts that as manufacturers of local tonics, elixirs and cures that you will find a remedy for whatever ails you.

Green Flash Brewing Co. - What can I say. It's really great beer, and they have a lot to sample. Opt for the samples sizes, so you can taste a variety, and definitely try the Palette Wrecker, but please save it for last. It is named this for a reason.

Alesmith Brewing Company - They have a really fantastic nut brown ale, among other things. Definitely worth a visit, since they're only available right now in California.

Hamilton's Tavern - Amazing beer selection. No frills bar scene.

Toronado - Amazing beer selection, and pork belly skewers are a must try appetizer.

Small Bar - Amazing beer selection. I'm beginning to see a pattern here. 

So as you can see from the sampling of local fare, I left San Diego, not hungry or parched by any means.

-Mo

"Postcards from Portland" - Cannon Beach & Coastal Concoctions

"Postcards from Portland" - Cannon Beach & Coastal Concoctions

I know it's been sometime since my last blog on Portland (or in general), but I didn't quite anticipate my intense travel schedule last Fall, or, the rest I would need following. But, it's a new year. I'm feeling refreshed after the holidays, and I am looking forward to writing more this year. So here's to Day 3 of the "Postcards from Portland" series, and a big Happy New Year for all those who continue to stop by The June bug Theory Blog! 

Day 3 of our adventures in Portland led us out of the city again, this time, to the Pacific Coast towards Cannon Beach, where we took in some local organic coffee, saw a rather large protruding rock in the sea, tested our tootsies in the frigid waters of the Northwest, and drove to a seaside town straight out of the Goonies, where we picked up some more local brews and tried some oyster shots. 

But, before we could pack that all in, we had to get some goodness stuck to our ribs, and what better way than with a second helping of Pine State Biscuits. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, those biscuits are that good, so much so that we sought out the location on SE Belmont Street in Portland. And the second time around with the Money Ball Double Down, Biscuit with homemade Pimento Cheese and coffee, was just as good as the first time. 

My mouth is watering now just thinking about these and seeing the pictures again... 

The Money Ball Double Down (translation - two eggs on top of a biscuit smothered in gravy)

Homemade Pimento Cheese (yummy)

Bellies full and caffeine kickin', we headed for the coast. And did I mention our ride (aka rental car)? None other than a Subaru Outback, which felt kind of like we were living the Subaru ads, as we drove through the West Coast forests just twisting and turning on the roadways with the low lying clouds just above our heads. 

Alas, we emerged from the fog like state, arriving at Cannon Beach, which was about an hour and half outside of Portland. First stop, a local coffee shop, called Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters where the coffee is roasted locally. Then a short walk over to the beach and there it is...Haystack Rock.

Haystack rock

If you're a child of the 80's, I would expect the photo above and those below, might strik a sense of nostalgia and familiarity as the backdrop to the infamous GOONIES movie, which was filmed in Astoria, Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock) and Ecola State Park.

We took a nice stroll on the beach, took way more photos than you probably would care to see, and remember earlier that I said we tested our tootsies in the frigid waters...well, I think this says it all...

The water was only in the 50 degree range, but to this southern girl, it felt icy cold.

After drying off, we headed up to Ecola State Park for some scenic views of the area and a peek at the Tillamook Rock Light (a deactivated lighthouse on a rock less than an acre, which now acts as a columbarium...for cremated remains).

Ecola State Park View

Tillamook Rock Light


Ecola State Park View



Ecola State Park View

By now, it was getting well into the afternoon, and we needed some fuel...so we drove up the coast towards Astoria to Fort George Brewery + Public House. 

For more details about this historic brew house, the original settlement site of Astoria, click here.

Upon our entrance into Fort George, this beautiful menu of coastal concoctions was on the wall to greet us....

If my memory serves me correctly, we chose the Sunrise Oatmeal Pale Ale, and the Vortex IPA, and purchased the 22 oz. Roses on Roses in a bottle to take back to Portland.

In addition to our brews, we opted for some unbelievably fresh oysters from Willapa Bay, shot-style with lemon and spicy cocktail sauce. This might have ignited our love for Oysters...if only they could be so fresh all the time. 

Willapa Bay Oyster Shots

Fort George Brews

After all the fresh fare (Albacore Tuna Fish & Chips, Sausage) and brews, and some discussions with our bartender, we contemplated driving to Eugene, OR, which apparently is home to some other really great breweries....but, reality set-in, and we decided that this would have to wait for another trip to the Pacific North West. 

So, we headed back to Portland. All in all day 3, and a well-spent birthday for Vladi, was complete with a visit to Cannon Beach and bellies full of Coastal Concoctions.

Stay tuned...I promise, day 4 will be posted much sooner.

Thanks for Reading and Happy New Year,

Mo

PS - I will leave you with this one more tidbit...for those of you wishing to re-live the 80's for a few minutes.

 

Thanksgiving 2012

Another year, another turkey

Wine, and pie, and now it's time for some shut eye.....

I promise I won't try to rhyme anymore, but the photos below sum up the day, but I do have one more thing to say (oops, was that another rhyme)....

Last year, I did 24 days of Thanks, but this year, I've done a little less blogging because life has been happening and happening rather quickly. I still have blog posts to write from our Portland trip and Charleston, Country Klub and so much more, but I guess that's the point of my blog post this evening, as Thanksgiving 2012 comes to an end. Live in the moment...

Blogging is great, and so is the age of social networks and a mobile society in order to stay connected with all the things we're interested in and ones we love and want to keep close..those far away or those in the next room, but remembering to actually enjoy the time spent with family and friends, and doing the things we love is sooooo uber important. More so than worrying about how/when to blog about it or send out the next tweet, facebook post and/or status update. I guess what I'm saying is that in this age of fast-paced life, be thankful for every moment spent doing what you enjoy and being with those you cherish....I know I do, or at least I'm trying.

And with that said...

Thanks to my wonderful family and friends who bless me everyday, encourage me, support me and love my quirks. Life wouldn't be as grand without y'all!! (And yes, I said y'all...I am a Texan after all.)

A few snapshots from today....

cranberries & sunflowers

smoked turkey from the green egg

the junebug...after turkey and playing with her pals - vincent, potato & pedro... I think she might have the right idea, so I'm signing off for this thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Mo / Mel

 

Bailey & Sydney Go For A Walk

Bailey and Sydney are my parents new beloved little furry companions. You see about 10 months ago, we had to say goodbye to "Annie the Wonder Dog" ... aka Annie and the Rocket Dog. Annie, over came several illnesses throughout her life that would have broken the spirit of most dogs, but not "the wonder dog". She had an unrelenting drive...for food, walks and attention, even up to almost the very end. So, it was really hard to say goodbye, but solace comes with tears, time and knowing she had it pretty good...actually, probably couldn't have had it any better. Here's the cutie:

"Annie the Wonder Dog"

Sigh....well, they say the best thing to do to help the pain, is to go looking for other furry little friends, who need you just as much as the ones before them. So after roughly 4 months, I think my Mom caved in, and found Bailey, and then it wasn't long before Sydney came along, which in my opinion looks like a mini Annie.

Puppies are always a challenge. Bailey and Sydney are testing the definition of challenge!

But they are cute, and the Junebug seems to like them too. Sydney is providing payback for all the relentless puppy moments in Juno's not so distant youth.

And this week, marks Bailey and Sydney's first sleepover/vacation, while the parents took a much needed vacation...however, I'm not sure if the parent's vacation is much needed from work and the everyday stresses of life, or rather from these little puff balls. And with that said, Bailey and Sydney definitely don't allow for any dull moments.

And today was no different. Bailey and Sydney went for their first walk....was it success or failure?

Scroll to find out......

Juno is thinking yes, we are going for a walk

(she loves them; walks that is)

If I could guess, Bailey is thinking, I'm not so sure about this....

Sydney (the black streak in the bottom left corner)

is trying to go the other way.

Out the door we go, and curiosity ensues.....

(Just to clarify, now that they are visible,

Bailey is the brown one, and Sydney is solid black)

 Bailey seems to be happy!

And we are walking!!!!

And if you could see Sydney in action,

this is the equivalent of success.

Most of the time she is just a blur in photos

because she's bouncing and charging around

like a "mini rocket dog"...a little uncanny if you ask me 

So, the official results...success it was. Not with out a few tangles along the way, because of course Juno came with us, and that made it all the more fun. But, we did make it around the block. And when you are 10 pounds, that is a long way.

Mom & Dad...if you're reading this, you have a new evening activity waiting for you upon your return! 

-Mo

"Postcards from Portland" - Sights, Sails & Sauces

Postcards from Portland - Sights, Sails & Sauces

I know it's been a couple of weeks since the last post, but it takes me a while to go through all the photos and decide which ones best depict the day, and we've done a little more traveling in the meantime... Boston and Charleston. I think more postcards are in the future because there were just too many yummy spots not to share.

But for now...day 2 of our adventures in and around Portland, OR.

Portland Day 2 consisted of a lot of nature and sightseeing outside of the city, which led to a quaint little town that is known for several different types of sails.

But to get this long day started we began with breakfast at our hotel (The Nines) at Urban Farmer Restaurant, which was probably t-h-e best hotel breakfast I can recall devouring, which included avocado eggs benedict (could that be any more sinful or rich), bacon-cheddar biscuits and chicken-cherry sausage.

After breakfast, we headed out for our first sight of the day, Mt. Hood.

The trek out to Mount Hood is about an hour east of Portland. Once you're there, you have so many options to see the mountain...aka dormant Volcano. You can visit timberline lodge, drive around and stop on the side of the road to take pics, or checkout one of the many nature trails in the park. Just be sure to pick up your recreation park pass (which costs $5 for the day), so you're not worried about getting a ticket. 

up close at the timberline 

from the other side headed towards Hood River

 

a little hiking...so many trails forgot the name

 And then there was this mountain...St. Helens, Adams?

After sightseeing, we headed north towards Hood River to checkout some breweries (Full Sail and Double Mountain). Hood River, Oregon is a great little place to visit. Nestled just off the Columbia River Gorge, it's very windy, so in addition to being the home of some great brews, it's also a great place to catch some wind surfing.

After you've tried your hand at some kite sailing/wind surfing (I won't lie, we didn't event attempt), you can check out the local brews. 

Right as we started planning our trip to Portland I discovered a new Pale Ale by Full Sail. When I went to look it up one day, I was so delighted to find out that another one of my fav brews - Sessions - was also made by the same brew masters and it was located outside of Portland. This ultimately fueled me to do more research on getting us out to PDX and Hood River. So of course this was our first brew stop in Hood River. During the tour at Full Sail, we discovered that the brewery was founded and started by a woman in the 1980's, and today, is owned by the employees, who work 4 days a week (10 hours each). I knew I liked this beer...work hard, play hard...just check out their Mantra.

Our awesome tour guide!

Beer, beer and more beer

So of course not only did we do the tour, but we did some tasting as well. On tap: The Full Sail Ltd. 3 and the IPA. Quite tasty I must say, and so much better on site. We also purchased some souvenirs, which included a water bowl for the Junebug.

After our treks around Mt. Hood and Full Sail, we needed some food. So we headed over to Double Mountain Brewery, which was a great tip from that Portland Resident. On the menu was pizza (the kind that gets charred in a 700 degree oven) and a dry hopped pale ale called the Vaporizor. In three words...it was awesome.

I have to admit, I didn't really want to leave Hood River. There was something about it there that just kind of drew me in. Maybe the wind and beer got to me.

As we headed back to Portland, we stopped in at Multnomah Falls for some great photo ops and a nice little hike. I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but if you get the chance, you really must go to appreciate the sight from the bottom and the top.

View from the top of the falls...it's quite a trek

Sun setting, meant we had to quickly get back to the bottom of the falls, which was much easier than going up. 

Back in Portland, and to end our day, we decided to check out another one of the city's late night happy hours at Saucebox. This place had a great vibe and some tasty bites from Sweet Potato Spring Rolls and Pad Thai to yummy concoctions...such as the Thai Basil Gimlet.

And that folks was Day 2 of Portland....

complete with sights, sails and sauces.

Stay tuned for more!

-Mo Vid