Portland International Beerfest

Today was just an all-around great day.  Since I worked out inside a gym yesterday I wanted to get outside today and treat myself to a bike ride.  It wasn't much of a bike ride since I took care of so many errands while out, but I still had fun.  After my first errand I rode out to Cook Park in Tigard where I found a little bench overlooking the Tualatin River.  It was the perfect spot for me to have lunch and read my book.  I also had my first Fred Meyer shopping experience which was incredible.  It was exactly as I had anticipated (a souped-up Target with an actual grocery & produce section) but it was still amazing.  And just like Target...  I walked in intending to purchase only two things and left after spending more than $100.  But it was worth it.

The main event for the day was heading downtown for the Portland International Beerfest held in the North Park Blocks in the Pearl District.  I don't think Eddie and I tried any international beers tonight because all the local beers were so good.  The best part about this fest is that the admission we bought tonight is valid all weekend.  I probably won't actually return, but it's nice to know I can go back with my wristband and commemorative glass and get in for free whenever I feel like it.

I did something special for today's media mention.  I read Natalie Babbit's Tuck Everlasting - my all-time favorite book.  My aunt read this book in college and passed it down to me when she finished her class thinking I would enjoy the story.  I think I was in fifth or sixth grade when she gave it to me.  I absolutely fell in love with this story and made it a point to read the book at least once year all through high school.  I don't think I ever read it once during college so it was a very nice experience to pick it up after a decade and read it again.  It's a very quick read - just over 100 pages and it tells the sweetest story.  I also finally watched the movie the other day so the story has been on my mind.  This is one book I will never, ever get tired of reading.

Festival of Balloons

Today's adventure was inspired by something I saw during yesterday's bike ride - a poster advertising the Tigard Festival of Balloons.  I checked out the website and knew I had to be there today.  I figured I wouldn't be able to wake up early to see the balloons launch at 6:00 A.M. (thanks to not falling asleep until 3:00 A.M.).  But two events in particular really piqued my interest - the Rogue beer garden and the helicopter ride.

Armed with $23, two liters of cold water in my backpack, and my Shutter Island book, I set out for the event.  I decided to walk there today since they had the bike path fenced off around the perimeter of Cook Park yesterday.  After paying the $7 entrance fee and the $15 fee for a 3-minute copter ride I knew I wouldn't have enough cash for any Rogue but I was hopeful they would have a credit card machine set up.  They did not so I sauntered back to the launch pad waiting area and read a few more chapters in my book.

The helicopter ride was definitely worth the wait.  It was my first ride - piloted by Dominic who's been flying copters almost daily for five years.  The ride was much smoother than I anticipated - especially considering the very small size of copter - just a small 2-seater.  Our route followed the train tracks and the Tualatin River giving me great views of my apartment complex and the neat scenery.  Such a perfect day for a little flight.

The rides were done by Jerry Trimble Helicopters. They offer $10 rides out of McMinnville on Saturday mornings throughout the summer so I just might have to check them out again and fly over the wine grapes that time.

On a side note...  One thing I did in my blog yesterday is mention a form of media that I was interested in.  Yesterday was the Shutter Island book I started reading.  Today I'd like to mention some music I've been listening to.  I watched a biography on Courtney Love (which was really a bio of Kurt Cobain through Courtney's eyes) which prompted me to purchase Hole's Celebrity Skin so I've been listening to that today.  Hopefully I'll continue this tradition with the books, movies, TV shows, and music albums that are influencing me at the time of each entry.

Ciao!