Dave Knows Portland

A midsummer weekend in Astoria, Oregon

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Mile73.comHeather and I spent last weekend in Astoria. We wanted to check out the 2009 Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, and both of us just happen to adore Astoria.

As usual, Heather has posted an amusing account of our fantastic trip, with photos and videos, at her blog:

Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter 16: Astoria Midsummer Scandinavian Fest – Part 1

Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter 16: Astoria Midsummer Scandinavian Fest – Part 2

Here’s a taste:

Kerry Christensen, Master Yodeler, The Norwegian Cow Song from Mile73 on Vimeo.

Eulogy for Oregon’s Taverns

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A little after midnight on New Year’s Eve, in a joint called Hoover’s in South Beach, my old Oregon writing mentor died. I stood by him at the end, but still, the loss feels inconsolable. He offered the best literary inspiration I’ve ever received and I feel bereft without him. Where will I get my writing ideas now?

An excerpt from Matt Love’s tribute to Oregon Taverns upon the commencement of the smoking ban: Oregon’s greatest writing mentor, bar none, is snuffed out

Matt Love is also the proprietor of the fantastic site Let It Pour: an unconventional drinking guide to the north and central oregon coast.

Rainy in Portland – Let’s try the coast

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Other than driving a short way down I-5 to take in the sausage fest last month, Heather and I wintered in town. Snowmageddon, the snowpocalypse, moving, and the million compulsory trips to Swedish Hell pretty much precluded any out-of-town forays.

But Sunday morning, hopped up on Lucky Charms and strong coffee, we braved the rain and jumped in the car. We were thinking maybe we’d swing by the Tillamook cheese factory, but we did that last year. We settled on a southern loop this time.

coastsouth1

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