Evergreen Vineyards

The tasting room is located in a sun lit corner of the Evergreen aviation museum. Evergreen Aviation started purchasing vineyards in the early 1990’s by 2003 they were ready to release their first pinot noir. They have added more varieties over the years. The vintages now offered are: 2004, 2005 Spruce Goose Pinot Gris, 2005 Jardiniere Rose Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2006 Spruce Goose Riesling, 2006 Spruce Goose Chardonnay, and a wide variety of Pinot Noirs, 2004 Spruce Goose Pinot Noir to 2005 Del-Mar Private Reserve Pinot noir. We liked the dry Riesling best. Evergreen Vineyards 3850 Three Mile lane McMinnvilee, Oregon 97128 866 434 4818, www.Evergreenvinyards.com

Evergreen Aviation Museum

Spitfire
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

Wow what an impressive museum. We have often driven past it on the way to the beach. This time we made it our destination. I am glad the we finally stopped in. I wish we would have stopped there sooner. There are three buildings, one houses the Spruce Goose and other airplanes, the middle building has the IMAX Theatre and the third building will house the new space museum. Every where you look, on the grounds, in all of the buildings and above your head there are airplanes. Along the back of the building there are tanks that look like they are guarding the perimeter.
The Spruce Goose is bigger than I pictured. I knew it was large but not that large. I realized how big it was when I tired to take its picture and could only get a little bit of the plane. The Spruce Goose is made out of birch not spruce. The press named Howard Hughes Flying Boat the Spruce Goose.
Also in the museum are Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Titan Missile, Sopwith Camel, Douglas C-47 Gooney Bird and Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat. It is a great place to explore on a rainy day. Admission $13 with a dollar off for AAA members. Open Daily from 9am to 5pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter.

500 NE Capt Michael Smith Way, McMinnville, OR 97128, 503 434 4180, www.sprucegoose.org .

Alameda Brewhouse

Recently I had a great lunch at Alameda Brewhouse. The food is made in house from fresh local ingredients. It is a great place for a vegetarian to get a meal. I had Alameda dip, a yummy version of French dip sandwich. Other good choices are the Harvest burger made from their brewer’s spent grain, peppers, onions and seasonings, Salmon Gyros and Black Forest Ham melt. They brew their own root brew. Grandma Mary’s root beer is very much better than the root beer that is usually served at restaurants. Seasonal brews include Beaumont Bock, East Village Amber and Papa Noel Olde Ale. A great place to stop into. You can’t miss it on NE Freemont, look for the Giant Hop hanging on the front of the building. Restaurant hours Sunday – Thursday 11am to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 12 am. Happy hour Monday – Friday 3pm to 6pm. 4765 NE Fremont St
Portland, OR 97213, 503-460-9025. Tri Met bus 33 Freemont. www.alamedabrewhouse.com

Horse tail falls

Horse tail falls
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

On a lovely fall afternoon we went on a hike in the Columbia River gorge. We hiked up the horsetail falls trail 438 past pony tail falls then down and up the Oneonta trail, back on the highway. Distance was 2.7 miles. We started too late to go up to triple falls, trail 424. Both falls are beautiful to look at. The Oneonta gorge is spectacular to look down into. Stay on this trail, please don’t take short cuts. There is memorial for a 14 year old who fell into the gorge and recently a lady slipped and almost fell over the falls. Bring a map with you. We use Trails of the Columbia Gorge by Geo-Graphics. There is no bathroom at Horse tail falls, use the bathroom at Ainsworth state park. Have fun hiking. I know that I can’t wait to go back. Exit I 84 at mile post 35.

First Thursday November 1, 2007

I have found some fun stuff to go with First Thursday art walk in the Pearl and Downtown. Join the Lions of Batucada in a day of the dead procession. Once I joined the Lions for the starlight parade. I had a great time marching with this group. They do Samba music.

www.lionsofbatucada.com

Day of the Dead Procession
Beginning at NW Davis St. and 8th Ave.
Ending at Someday Lounge - 125 NW 5th Ave.
All Ages 'til 8:00 p.m.
http://www.somedaylounge.com/calendar

Margo Jacobsen Gallery is showing Trude Parkinson 1306 NW Hoyt #301.

Blackfish Gallery is hosting Gallery 110 from Seattle, 420 NW 9^th.

Mark Woolley is showing artists Alison O’Donoghue and Karen Esler, 817 SW 2^nd.

Bullseye gallery is showing works by Bulleye’s artists selected for Tacoma’s new Hotel Murano, 300 NW 13^th.