Pinot Envy

A few days in the Willamette Valley, land of Oregon wineries. We stayed in an RV park appropriately named for Oregon wine country:

www.willamettewinecountryrvpark.com

We've been surrounded by beautiful vineyards...

flowers

gardens

and good food and wine.

I broke one of my hard and fast rules. We went out to a restaurant on Mother's Day. It was the only day we could get to th local  Bistro Maison, in McMinnville OR. Above, I am pondering the menu.. It's not an easy choice. But, we decide.

Moules Frites for Paul, salmon for me. And profiteroles and creme caramel for dessert. Yummmmm.....

When was the last time you went to the beach...

and felt the soft caress of a sea breeze?

Watched the waves play tug-of-war with the sand.

Tasted

the tang of salt on your lips

When was the last time?

Shirley's Tippy Canoe

Trekking around builds a good appetite.  We stopped in for lunch at a Troutdale restaurant down the road from our campground. We liked the look of this place, a roadside diner in true River Gorge tradition.

Yeah. This is what we're talking about.

Perfect! Shirley's Tippy Canoe, which has just "darn good food" is going to be on Guy's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on the Food Network. Next to being at a "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," this is the next best thing. I can finally say "I've been there!"



We sat outside at a patio table underneath huge firs and ate chowder, grilled fresh salmon, and local Pinot Noir. Service was slow but colorful. Shirley herself waited on us, grumbling that she was shut down for days while filming took place. Another server told us the place was filled with friends and family during the shoot. Don't tell me stories like this and ruin my illusions. Please.


The show should air sometime in August.

Day at the waterfalls 5/6/2013

We are camped at the entrance to the Columbia River Gorge, and took a day to explore all of the beautiful waterfalls cascading down the sides of the gorge.

So beautiful...

Also good-looking

I know, it looks like the water's coming down on him. Paul's the usual photographer, not me. Now you know why.


We took a little hike at Bridal Veil Falls

rewarding us with this view.

Edgefield in Troutdale OR 5/5/2013

We met friends at Edgefield in Troutdale. 

"Historic Edgefield, built in 1911 as the county poor farm, is a destination resort in the Pacific Northwest that blends Oregon's natural beauty with McMenamins' signature whimsy: original buildings carefully restored with cozy interiors, gardens grown using organic methods, great food and drink, live entertainment and more."

This place is so cool...look at it!

The four of us had a delicious brunch at the Black Rabbit Restaurant here and then took a stroll around the grounds.

Daffodils have been folded back, iris and rhododendrons are in full bloom.

Mt. Hood and the Timberline Lodge 5/2/2013

On the way to Mount Hood..


Gorgeous weather today prompted us to take the hour drive from Troutdale OR to Mt. Hood. The scenery along the way, from rolling hills and plant nurseries to towering lodge pole pines as we climbed the mountain toward the lodge was beautiful. Can you see how beautiful the day was? The proverbial not a cloud in the sky.

 We reached Timberline Lodge, built during the Great Depression as part of the WPA. Something good from a bad situation.

The exterior of this place was used in "The Shining." Recognize it?
 Inside, the historic craftmanship-- and craft "woman" ship--is explained in a video.

View from the bar on the second florr, looking down at the massive fireplace. The video makes the point that most of the workers were craftspeople, not artists. Funds, of course, were limited, and workspace at a premium. Still, the people did this  and most made 90 cents an hour..

We went to lunch at the dining room, which had a lunch buffet. The only other option was a pizza restaurant where probably the snowboarders were eating. I think we make the right choice.

I'm in the dining room. Can you find me?

 

Mt. Hood

Mt. Hood looming in the background on the way to our RV site. That's the Columbia River on the left