the rogue hop farm

(9/1)

On Saturday the 1st of September, me and Pat were on our way to Salem to visit his Dad when we noticed a sign for the Rogue Hop Farm in Independence Oregon, so we decided to make a pit stop. We followed signs down a bunch of empty country roads wondering where we were being taken, until finally we spotted the little farm itself. Apparently this is where the hops for all of the Chateau Rogue brews are prepared.

The setup was actually pretty sweet, there was a little tasting room with a few of the Chateaus on tap, a nice grassy area outside with some seats and lawn games (like corn hole), and a little food cart for snacks. Me and Pat helped ourselves in taking a closer look at the hop fields themselves, but no one seemed to mind. There was also a wedding going on near the barn area while we were there, and ironically I actually made wedding invitations for someone who was married here last summer. Now seeing this place in person, I think I did a pretty solid job with the theme. (I actually still need to post these!)

We will definitely be back here again once their pumpkin brew is released to the public. Perhaps next time we will even participate in a brewery tour. I think Pat was in heaven while we were there.

[[ country road. hops hops hops. pats happy place. around the farm. pumpkins! ]]

michael franti & spearhead

(8/23)

When someone offers you a free concert... you should probably go to it...
(as long as its not country of course!)

The day before my birthday, Pat's buddy Nate called him up and asked if we wanted to go to the Michael Franti & Spearhead concert in Eugene for free... and being fairly familiar with his music from his days as a line cook, Pat excitedly agreed. I admittedly only knew a few songs, never having given any of them a serious listen, but it sounded like fun and a new experience so I was on board as well. What's not to like about a free show at an outdoor venue? The concert took place at the Eugene Cuthbert Ampitheater which turned out to be a really awesome space with a good set up. We even had VIP parking since Nate got the tickets from his work who were one of the sponsors, so we got right in, grabbed some dinner and beers, and found our seats. It was all open seating in the grass, and we scored some great seats.

[[ pictures from the michael franti & spearhead concert in eugene, oregon. ]]

The crowd was definitely really entertaining... lots of hippies, lots of kids, and a fair amount of retirees, as well as people our age. This one woman, who I am sure was a Eugene local, had her "third eye", super long dreadlocks, a sheer piece of fabric around her waist, and was dancing around to no music at all in tantric movements. We all had a lot of fun with that one.

The show was really good. He is one hell of a performer, and brought a lot of people, including kids, up on stage to be a part of the performance as well, which I thought was pretty cool. At one point he even had some people from the audience "playing with the band" while he snuck down in to the crowd and made his way to a small platform which was right in front of our seats. This allowed me to get some really good/close pictures without even really trying.

The only thing I did not 100% like about the show was that if you took out some of the politics, it could have literally been something you see at Disneyland, which is a little nicer than me and Pat are used to. Nate, on the other hand, was in heaven. I don't think I would personally pay $40 a ticket for it, but for free, it was a really good show and we had a lot of fun. Especially since it just happened to be the night before my birthday.

a blustery day at the oregon coast

(8/11)

One weekend when there was a little less than normal going on, me and Pat decided to head over to Newport, our closest coastal town, for our annual beach day trip. The weather turned out to be far less than cooperative, so despite the beautiful weather in town, it was cold, largely foggy/overcast and super super windy at the coast.

We did attempt a walk on the beach, but I got a little freaked out by the extreme amount of wind and was over it after about three minutes. I could barely walk and felt like I was going to be blown away which freaked me out (admittedly not one of my prouder moments). Long story short, we spent most of the day inside of the Rogue Brewery having some drinks and lunch and starring longingly out the window. We even stopped by their Spirits building to try a custom concoction, and then paid a visit to our annual friend Wally the Walrus for a picture before making our way home.

Despite our setbacks we still managed to have some fun and snap some good pictures. I wish we could have made it back one more time this summer on a nicer day, but it is pretty much impossible to plan a sunny beach day here in Oregon. We had more luck on our side when we visited Newport last year so maybe next year will turn out better for us.

[[ oysters. the foggy windy shoreline. rogue. the marina. wally! pirates & mustaches. the bridge. ]]

                   

7 year anniversary at king estate

(7/21)

Back in July (on 7/21), me and Pat decided to drive over towards Eugene and spend our seven year anniversary at King Estate Vineyard. It was a perfectly gorgeous warm day, and we even found our own little private patio to sit on and enjoy our wine hidden away from everyone else.

We tasted a few things, and then bought a small bottle of Domain Pinot Gris to share while we sat outside and reflected on our past years together. After a few hours, we decided to head in to the tasting room for another glass and got a tip about an old Pioneer cemetery that had been left on the grounds, so we knew we had to check it out. I think cemeteries are beautiful and really interesting, at least during the day time.

We had also made a reservation for dinner at their restaurant and were given the best seat in the outdoor dining area with a great view of the vines and lavender growing everywhere in sight. Dinner was delicious. I had the halibut and ate almost the entire thing. To go with our dinner, we decided on another bottle of the Domain Pinot Gris, but this time decided to purchase a full bottle from their vault. We choose a 2005 because it was as old as our relationship. :) When we went to pay for our meal and wine we found out that Pat's dad had very stealthily called in and paid for everything. Thank you again!

After dinner, and some creme brulet for dessert, we watched the sun begin to set and then headed for home. It was a great day, and a great anniversary.

[[ the beautiful grounds at king estate. ]]

[[ dinner (halibut) & a vaulted bottle of domaine pinot gris from 2005. ]]

[[ pioneer cemetery on the property from the 1800s. ]]

[[ on our way home. ]]

♥

still playing catch up

As you might have noticed, ever since I took my first California trip at the beginning of the summer, I have been working hard to catch up with all of the other events that have taken place. I am still pretty behind, so I have a lot of things in the works that will be coming up within the next couple of weeks. Not to mention that there are already more travel plans in my not so distant future... 

Here is a little look in to what will be coming up: 
(not necessarily in that order)

- Brad & Alia's Wedding in Bend (from the weekend of June 30th)
- Our 7 Year Anniversary at King Estate (from July 21st)
- A Blustery Day at The Oregon Coast (from August 11th)
- Michael Franti & Spearhead Impromptu Concert (from August 23rd)
- The Rogue Hop Farm (September 1st)
- The First Football Game of The Season (September 8th)
- Silversun Pickups in Pioneer Square (September 9th)
- Nick & Molly's Wedding Reception (September 14th)

[[ sunset drive on our way home from bend in august. ]]

year two.

Johni, 

It is hard to believe it has been two years,
but I am kind of getting used to you being gone.
Although, I don't think I like it...

I am getting used to seeing the picture of me and you that I have framed in my room, smiling, and then going on about my day knowing that my few treasured snapshots and items are all I will ever have. I have gotten used to speaking to you through writing, always with a brief and wishful thought that you may actually be able to perceive my words. Occasionally I even utter things out loud with the same small wish. You continue to influence my thoughts and actions as I often step back to consider what you must have gone through, and that my hurtles, in comparison, are extremely minimal. Indirectly you have made me a better person.

Your name draws more happy memories than sad ones these days.
I suppose that is part of griefs evolution through time.

I still get choked up when I hear your name,
but your memory brings a smile to my face most of all.
I hold on to my memories of you tightly, they are small treasures.

[[ one of johni's tree paintings. an unused playground shot from my old photography project. ]]

I still have not picked up a paintbrush...
Tonight will be my first attempt to revisit an old hobby that we shared. I think I will start with a Johni Tree, just for you, or maybe just for me? Things we did together before help me feel connected to you, and i feel like its the right time to start up again. Especially on this day. I may not be able to blend acrylic backgrounds like you, but I will try my best to come up with something reminiscent of your work. Wish me luck.

((( more johni posts. )))

I miss you so much. 
Every damn day. 

♥

sad. sad. day.

Yesterday, while setting up some things for a conference at work, this happened. One of the interns smashed my poor baby in the hitch of a company truck, while I silently screamed "Nooooooo!!!!". It is shattered, bent, and the touch screen is completely unresponsive. I am sad. Very sad.

The only potential upside slash ironic timing to this is that the press release for the new iPhone 5 was this morning, which confirmed that pre-orders will begin this Friday, the 14th. Fingers crossed that I am currently eligible for an upgrade... I really don't want to have to deal with a junk phone while I wait, I do sort of use this thing for work as well. Hopefully I will be able to get in on the pre-sales this time around (with the release of the iPhone 4 I had no such luck).

It is a little sad how dependent I am on this little device. It was after all my camera, video camera, ipod, calendar, alarm clock, GPS, email/internet on the go, Facebook checker, Instagramer, partial photo editor, gaming device, and not to mention the way I keep in touch with everyone in my life. It was also my very first smart phone. Le sigh. I am indeed lost without it for the time being...
For how long? To be determined.

RIP iPhone 4, August 2010 - September 2012

((( Update 9/14. I neglected to complete my preorder last night/this morning at 1am when I realized there was no way to change the shipping address to my own as opposed to my parents in Portland which frustrated me to no end, so I gave up. This I regret very much so in the light of day. But alas, I may be phone less for a long time. )))

blogiversary 2

Another year down (as of yesterday 9/9). I can't believe it has already been two. Hopefully everything is back on track soon, and there are a lot more to come. I have so many ideas and so little time, but I love looking back on everything I have accomplished thus far, so bring it on year three.

[[ happy birthday :: year 2. ]]

[[ spirit animals. joshua tree. remakes. friends. graduation. halloween. concerts. cousins. ]]

((( last years blogiversary post )))

brasada ranch :: part VIII

(7/6 - 7/8)

Back in July (on the weekend of 7/8), me and Pat decided to take advantage of his parents vacant house at Brasada Ranch. This is nothing new, as we tend to get over there as often as we can. This time we brought our friends Alex and Drea with us.

The weekends activities were nothing out of the ordinary... firepit and drinks at night, delicious dinners, relaxing and having coffee on the patio, me sneaking in some work in the morning, and a dip or two in the pool. One thing that was kind of awesome was a thunder and lightning storm that happened (along with a torrential downpour) while we were sitting outside of The Range getting a drink. I could not snap a picture, so I decided to take some video, and after many many attempts at capturing a screen shot at the right moment, I managed to capture some lightning... and the gorgeous sunset. Enjoy.

[[ sunset. mountains. furry friend. scales. bumbles. hummingbird. purple. beetle. painted sky. poolside. double rainbow. storm. ]]