Keep Portland Weird

"Keep Portland Weird" seems to be the official "unofficial" slogan for this city. Have heard it for years and they even have a couple of websites...

Working in Portland this week has confirmed that there are many who are striving to do their part to fulfill the mandate for the city...have seen more skin art in the last four days than I have seen in the last four years...some if it very cool and some incredibly strange, like the guy I saw in Old Town with the fully tattoo'd face (ouch!)...taking a picture was not an option as it would not have been very discreet.

Portland is a unique collection of people and sights...professionals, political activisits, artists, street-performers, street-people, hard-core cycling enthusiasts, classic cars, and parking lots featuring a large number of "roach coaches" offering the widest variety of foods ever sold out of a truck or trailer...and then there is Pizza Schmizza...have to love a place with plastic pigs fastened to the ceiling...reminds me of the "spider pig" bit from the Simpson's movie.

Anyway...really enjoyed my time in Portland...fresh air, tall pines, moderate temps and wonderfully weird people and places...looking forward to a return trip to this jewel of the Pacific Northwest...

Just Had To Take A Picture

Was cruising through Helena, MT and came across this sign for a business in town...could not pass up taking a picture.

Staggering Ox

Am in Montana working this week, it has been several months since I my last trip to this great state and the city of Helena.

There is something awesome "Big Sky" country...wide open spaces, mountains both near and in the distance, fresh air...and one of the BEST sandwiches I have ever had the privilege to consume.

If you ever have the opportunity to take a trip to Helena, one of the places y0u have to visit is the Staggering Ox...a very unique and delicious restaurant. Inside you will find the work of many local artists adorning the walls and suspended from the ceiling...paintings, mobiles, handcrafts, and an impressive collection of classic rock album covers...

As cool and eclectic as all the artwork might be...the number one reason you must visit the Staggering Ox is for their sandwiches...one of the best I have ever had. The bread is very unique...a wide variety to choose from and it is baked in a can...yes baked in a can...

They hollow out the center of this soft and delectable column and then fill it with your favorite sandwich fixin's. My favorite is The Nuke...roast beef, turkey, ham, lettuce and cheese topped with ranch dressing...yummmm.

A Day in the City by the Bay

Am working in Sunnyvale and Hollister, CA this week and had to fly in to San Francisco International Airport.

Being as the job wasn't starting until early the next morning, I decided to spend a little time in San Francisco before heading out to Sunnyvale. Yeah...I know...tough job, but somebody had to do it.

One of the sites I have always wanted to see is Fisherman's Wharf, so that is the direction I headed...and am really glad I did.

The Wharf is simply awesome...lots of fresh crab, bread bowls of chowder and the Boudin Cafe's sourdough bakery! The smells of all the incredible gastromical delights was a feast for the senses

Bonnie and I will most definitely be coming here for vacation!

A Good Day Defined by a Full Stringer

Hard to believe it has been ten months since I last blogged. Time really does fly!

Well, fishing season is back in full swing here in the upper Midwest and I for one am truly glad! Bonnie and I spent a great afternoon going after early season bluegills and were not disappointed. We hooked a total of 80 fish in less than two hours and brought a very nice stringer of 25 keepers...not bad for a quick afternoon on the lake.

The arsenal for the day included my trusty 5' Daiwa Black Widow ultra light rod, outfitted with a Quantum XL Ultra Light open-face reel, 2# test diameter Berkley FireWire, Thill float and #6 circle hooks. Bait for the day was a nice bunch of wax worms who valiantly gave their all in our quest for a meal of bluegills.

Long story short...a full stringer defines a great day!

Having a Hay Day

Today was one of those days that could be described as simply awesome.

Started things off heading out to Norwood at about 5:30AM ith my buddy Chad Hardy to spend the morning putting up some hay on John Bartelson's farm (John is another bud from my days at UPS).

It was a great morning for loading hay...fairly cool, and a slight breeze. We loaded about 450 bales into John's barn and then enjoyed a hearty "cowboy breakfast" cooked over an open fire.

Afterwards, Chad and I set out for Mankato for the Waterfowl Expo at Scheel's Sporting Goods. Phil Robertson (the Duck Commander) and Fred Zink were the featured seminar speakers for the day. Phil and Fred are two of the premier waterfowl hunters in the country.

Benelli, Avery Outdoors, and Dakota Decoys all had booths displaying some of the latest and most trustworthy gear.

I think I learned more about waterfowl hunting, decoys and calling from this one day than from anything else. Cannot wait to put some of the techniques to work this Fall when the season opens.

Me & The Duck Commander

Chad & The Duck Commander

Fred Zink

Today was just enough to whet the appetite for Minnesota's upcoming waterfowl season. To keep the excitement going, the Game Fair is coming up August 8-10. I am definitely planning to go, being the market for a layout blind for early goose season this year.

If you are a waterfowl hunter and have not yet been to the Game Fair, you need to make plans to attend. It is an event well worth the time.

Yep...it was truly an outstanding day.

A Crappie Day

Okay...now before you think I saying what I'm not saying...the word is pronounced "croppie" as in the fish.

Went into work early this morning so I could take off early this afternoon so my wife and I could go fishing.

We made the trip out to Spring Lake and spent a great evening on the water. Found a hot spot just off Thornton's Point. The action was fairly constant, but nothing of any size worth keeping. Still...it was good just to be out, drowning minnows, hooking fish and spending time with my wife.

Gear for the day was my trusted panfish rig...a 5' Daiwa Black Widow Ultra light rod, fitted with a Quantum XL Ultra light open face reel spooled with Berkley Fireline (2 pound diameter) and a bucket of crappie minnows.

Yeah...its a small fish, but it still beats being in the office.

The makings of a happy day!

Hoping to get out on the river on Saturday for a bit of catfishing. Just picked up a new batch of stink bait and a new bait caster. Can't wait to give it a try!

Playing Hookie

Took a bit of time off on Monday to play a little hookie...for real.

Spent the day on the Minnesota River with my buddy Chad, a couple of bait casters and big jar of stink bait.

Having spent most of my life as a lake fisherman, Chad has converted me to being a certified "river rat"!

We spent the day just floating the river and catching fish...a perfect day! Here are a couple of pics of the day's catch.

Chad and a dandy 5 pound cat!


A fine 2 pound cat (and a handsome fisherman too!)

Sometimes you just have to forget the office for a day and just go out, relax and do a whole bunch of nothing. Playing hookie is good for the soul!

Family Reunion

This past weekend was awesome in many ways.

First, got to spend all of Friday night catfishing with a good friend.

On Saturday, spent some time working on my boat and hanging out with my wife later in the day.

Then, of course, got to spend Sunday morning at church with some of the most awesome volunteers and friends at Meadow Spring. Sunday mornings at Meadow are the best!

And then...to wrap up the day, spent some time on Sunday afternoon with some cousins I haven't seen in over thirty years...Debbie Jones and her husband Jess, and Linda Garrett and her husband Robert.

They were up from Texas for a graduation party and other family stuff. It was great to be able to see them and catch up on life. Linda's husband is a "rocker" and musician...so he and I spent a good chunk of time talkin' guitars, bands, favorite concerts, etc. It was a lot of fun!

Just hope it isn't another thirty years until we meet again!

Here's a couple of pics to commemorate the day.

Debbie, Uncle George, Dad, Mom Aunt Mary, Linda, Uncle Herb

The whole clan with husbands and kids...that's me in the middle back row.