Julian Vrieslander > wrote in
news:julianvREMOVE_THIS_PART-B02553.14020803082008@70-3-168-
>
> [Cindy's infamous SO responding}


Gidday Cindy's infamous SO!!


>
> Yes indeed, we saw lots of orchards.


They're very noticable on Goggle Earth.

The hotel you stayed at it rather quaint too :-)

The Wah Gwin Gwin Falls is right on the grounds??

I also noticed another winery just south of the hotel you stayed at. The
Cathedral Ridge Winery.
It's in the block between Frankton, Post Haven and New Haven Drive.

Their reds would want to be pretty damn good for the prices they're
asking!!

http://cathedralridgewinery.com/stor...pg1-cid36.html



> Very nice, reasonably priced fruit
> in the local markets, too. The farmers in this area promote tourism
> with a brochure that describes a driving tour through the roadside
> stands in the region. It's called the "Fruit Loop". A little bit of
> humor there, since in the US, there is a breakfast cereal of the same
> name, famous for silly ads targeting children.


Yeah, we have the same sugar laden cereal here. I've never bought the
stuff, after tasting it at a friends house.

I think the first time my kids were able to have the stuff around was
*after* they moved out of home.


>>
>> I wouldn't mind spending some time leaning on the 'Brunswick Bar'!!
>>
>> http://www.maryhillwinery.com/gallery.asp
>
> The outdoor patio at Maryhill is very pleasant, with tables under
> vine-covered arbors, and a bar overlooking the Columbia River. The
> location of the winery is a bit surprising. In this area, the land
> surrounding the river is very arid and barren, not what you would expect
> for a farm. But there are some substantial plantings on the property,
> and I could see soaker hoses between the rows. I suspect Maryhill buys
> grapes from other vineyards, too


Yep.

http://www.maryhillwinery.com/ourwine.asp

"We contract with growers all throughout the lower Columbia Gorge. From
east to Alderdale area in the Horse Heaven Hills to Yakima Valley near
Grandview and up near Mattawa in the Wahluke Slope on the Columbia River,
we work closely with select premier vineyards to produce wine showcasing
the rich and pleasurable flavors of this unique growing region."

As for the actual location of the vineyard (ie, the terrain), the general
consensus is that if the vines have to struggle to survive, they produce
better berries (fruit). I've seen vineyards that look like it's nothing but
rocks!! But it's the soil that the roots eventually get to that is the key.


>
>> The 2005 Syrah sounds absolutely great!!
>
> That was one of the wines that we tasted, and we bought a bottle.


Lucky bugger!!


>
>> > Wednesday we headed for Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.
>>
>> Did you see Bigfoot??
>
> No, just a few ground squirrels, elk, and deer.


Apparently that area is renowned for Bigfoot sightings. Might be something
to do with all the wineries in the area :-)


> And lots of dead skunks
> in the middle of the road.


Ewww!!

The northern part of Tasmania is like that. Roadkill every 6 feet. I drove
between Launceston and Devonport, and the roadkill smell was quite
overpowering most of the time.


>
>> > We did some hiking on and around the
>> > mountain, although the SO was unimpressed by the photographic
>> > possibilities: "It's a giant slag heap."
>
> I was comparing it to Mt. Rainier, which is one of our favorite day trip
> destinations from Seattle. Rainier is much more photogenic than Mt.
> Hood, with more variation in terrain and ecosystems. The steep slopes
> and big glaciers provide stunning images. Rainier is a better choice
> for hikers and shutterbugs. Hood is the choice for skiers.
>


Yes, you certainly live in a beautiful part of the world. If I was going to
live over there, around your neck of the woods is high on my list of
priorities.

Besides which, I've been a Seahawks fan since the early 90's :-)

Still got the old style cap, too.

http://i35.tinypic.com/16lw5dd.jpg




--
Peter Lucas
Brisbane
Australia


If we are not meant to eat animals,
why are they made of meat?