...well, i decided to take the opportunity to check out my potential future in oregon and to visit wynne's home turf. i was lucky to make it up before some huge storm seemed to overtake the pacific northwest and northern california. i was even luckier to manage to get up to mt. hood on one of the very rare sunny days in order to get on a snowboard for the first time in two years. i happily picked it up right quick and with no broken bones by the end of the day. (the photo below is courtesy of pdxguide.com because i didn't bring my camera with me for fear of breaking some part of my body by falling on it).
and so, in conclusion, i LOVE portland and the northern willamette valley! a bit of new england and a bit of california. i must find a way to move up here in the very near future. i think i'll be able to handle the rainy winters in exchange for no sales tax and roses year-round. (the 1st photo is of domaine serene while the 2nd is of domaine drouhin's vines)
another reason for loving oregon is what i've finally realized about california drivers. i would like to call it the Mysterious california Highway Incident Phenomenon or McHIP. now this syndrome may seem more evident to me, a non-Californian (some would say MASShole) driver. i know i have encountered this elsewhere, but just seems more predominant here in the golden state. before i continue, i must apologize to the california drivers that don't fall under the McHIP syndrome. there's usually 3 basic incidents that make up McHIP...1. the inexplicable traffic slowdown or complete halt for 10 to 3 hours. by the time, traffic begins to move again, there's no evidence at all for what actually caused this !@$#& stoppage.
2. as you cruise down the highway, you see a bend up the way. all of a sudden, everyone starts braking. it's as if they see the bend and begin to freak out that maybe the world ends on the other side of the bend. you would think that this can't be everybody's absolute first time on this part of the highway. california short term memory...it's the same way with the re-appearance ofbad fashion trends.
3. finally, the most maddening, you get some jerk on your tail while you're already going 80-85mph. so you move to the right, let the jerk pass, then resume your position on the left-most lane. then, without warning, the jerk slows down to 60mph. then they get all pissy when you start riding their tail. you'd think that if these drivers would get all distracted that they would use cruise control so they could at least maintain their speed while they drink their coffee, apply their make-up, do the crossword puzzle, and make business deals on the phone.
well, i'll get off my traffic soapbox now. until next time, please enjoy napa vines and mustard plants!
