A Look at the Weekend

A LOOK AHEAD

Well folks, it's been a long few days since my last long weekend and I'm ready for some more time off. Justine and I are taking an early weekend and heading up to Portland for the Holiday Ale Festival and some general merry-making. The Holiday Ale Festival is going to be awesome. They set up a giant, clear tent in the city center, throw up a bunch of heaters, get some holiday choirs, and have three dozen of the best micro-brewers in the Northwest craft beer specially for the festival. It's a kegger Christmas party with a couple thousand of your closest friends.

http://www.holidayale.com/index.php

Before any teetotalers start furling their eyebrows at our plans, be assured we are taking in a number of non-beer related activities while in Portland. We are also making time to visit the Portland Zoo, which has a sweet frog exhibit for the time being and is lit up with Christmas lights when the sun goes down. We have to enjoy the froggies while they last, I've been reading plenty of literature talking about how many species of amphibians are going extinct due to habitat change and some nasty viruses.

http://www.oregonzoo.org

We're staying at some awesome hotels and hostels while in Portland. We're spoiling ourselves one night and staying at a McMenamin's. We stayed at one in Bend last winter and had a fabulous time. These brothers turn old, falling down historic buildings into great unique hotels/pubs. Go to the website and check out some of the places. My favorite part of the hotels is the Turkish Soaking Pools! It's a great way to wind down after a hectic day sampling microbrews and singing Christmas carols.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/

A LOOK BACK AT THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

I've been walking around for the past weeks with a giant Cheshire cat grin on my face. I just can't help smiling most of the time. Life is good and I am so thankful for everything I've been given. Thanksgiving Day always is a good day. Our Thursday was filled with solid home-cooking and friends, next year we're hoping to add family back into the mix. It was our third Thanksgiving out here in California and our turkey just keeps getting better each time. Our secret is in the brine. 

Anyway folks, that's all for now...I have to go open up the bar. As Red Green would say, "Keep your stick on the ice". Have a good week.