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!