TUESDAY TASTIC PHOTO!

{image & info via NASA}

December's lunar eclipse graced early morning skies over the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA. There, this wintry scene finds the Moon in a cold blue twilight sky near the western horizon, above the snowy North American Continental Divide. About 22 minutes before the sunrise, the reddened lunar disk is almost completely immersed in Earth's dark shadow. This dramatic Rocky Mountain moon set during the eclipse total phase. But all parts of the geocentric celestial event were seen from Pacific regions, Asia, and Australia, including the entire 51 minutes of totality, and parts of the final eclipse of 2011 were shared in skies around much of planet Earth.

TUESDAY TASTIC PHOTO!

{image & info via NASA}

It was one of the most memorable auroras of the season. There was green light, red light, and sometimes a mixture of the two. There were multiple rays, distinct curtains, and even an auroral corona. It took up so much of the sky. In the background were stars too numerous to count, in the foreground a friend trying to image the same sight. The scene was captured with a fisheye lens around and above Tromsø, Norway, last month. With the Sun becoming more active, next year might bring even more spectacular aurora.

TUESDAY TASTIC PHOTO!

{image & info via nationalgeographic}

Storm chasing outside Pense, Saskatchewan, earlier this summer.

TUESDAY TASTIC PHOTO!

{image & info via NASA}

Each day can have a beautiful ending as the Sun sets below the western horizon. This week, the setting Sun added naked-eye sunspots to its finale, as enormous active regions rotated across the dimmed, reddened solar disc. Near the Sun's center in this closing telephoto view from November 7th are sunspots in Active Region 1339. Responsible for a powerful X-class flare on November 3rd, Active Region 1339 is larger than Jupiter. In the foreground, the ruined tower of a medieval castle stands in dramatic silhouette. Located in Igersheim, Germany and traditionally known as castle Neuhaus, it might be named Sunspot Castle for this well-composed scene.

BREW REVIEW: THREE CREEKS BREWING

Three Creeks Brewing is located in Sisters, Oregon.

From left:
Knotty Blonde: 6.5/10 Roses 
Stonefly Rye: 9/10 Roses
Old Prospector Pale: 6/10 Roses
Anvil Amber: 6/10 Roses
Firestone Red: 8/10 Roses
Hoodoo Voodoo IPA: 7.5/10 Roses

Not Pictured:
Chocolate Porter: 8/10 Roses

Favorite: Stonefly Rye
Least Favorite: Anvil Amber (tasted like most Ambers)

If you get to Central Oregon I would recommend getting some ales from Three Creeks.

HOTEL REVIEW: THE BALLASTONE INN

The Ballastone Inn, a four-story antebellum mansion built in 1838, combines old-fashioned elegance and charm with modern-day convenience in historic Savannah, GA. The finest Savannah Inn's concierge staff graciously welcomes you when you step into the luxurious Italianate-style historic mansion. Sixteen spacious B & B guest rooms, southern gourmet -- including a full breakfast, afternoon teas, and pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres.

Oh I just loved this place. My mom and I had our room on the first floor in the "basement". It was down a little hallway and we didn't have anyone else around. The room was decorated really pretty. Outside we had a great view of a lovely patio area.

I love tea but I never had "afternoon tea" and I loved it. Cream cheese cookies are my new fav! The tea set was wonderful. I need to get me one.

The Ballastone was at a great location. It was not too near the water so it wasn't noisy and not too far from the water where you had to hike.

The staff was very nice and attentive. The food (the breakfast) was wonderful.

Highly recommend staying here if you are heading to Savannah.

PLACES TO GO: POPPIES

Poppies is a new gourmet market located in Sisters, Oregon.

It is not just a restuarant that serves fresh organic meals, it is also a small market to buy organic products.



That is just the inside...

Outside there is beautiful garden where you can eat and buy flowers, shrubs, veggies and herbs.





I was so happy that my friend contacted me and I went to meet her at Poppies. It was awesome!

If you are in the Bend/Sisters area then you must go!!!

BREW BATTLE: ALASKAN BREWS

Glacier BrewHouse:

Oatmeal Stout: 9/10 Roses (fav)
Amber Ale: 5/10 Roses
Bavarian Hefeweizen: 6/ 10 Roses
Brewhouse Blonde: 6/10 Roses
Raspberry Wheat: 6.5/10 Roses
Imperial Blonde: 5/10 Roses (least fav)

Alaskan Brewing Company:

Alaskan Amber: 5.5/10 Roses
Alaskan White: 6/10 Roses (fav)
Alaskan IPA: 6/10 Roses

Sleeping Lady Brewing Company:

John Henry Oatmeal Stout: 6/10 Roses
Braveheart Scottish Ale: 8.5/10 Roses (fav)
Urban Wilderness Pale Ale: 8/10 Roses
Golden Pilsner Ale: 6/10 Roses (least fav)

All over Glacier BrewHouse was the best. The Alaskan Brews were good just similar to many other beers I have tasted. Sleeping Lady had some good brews but the service was crap!

Has anyone else tasted any of these or other brews from Alaska??

FOOD REVIEW: CLAM CHOWDERS OF ALASKA

I had clam chowder everyday while in Alaska. I love clam chowder.

1. Ray's Waterfront in Seward: Grade: 6/10 Roses. It was hearty and thick but needed more seasoning. Kind of plain.

2. Aurora Bar & Grill in Girdwood: Grade: 8/10 Roses. Thinner and not hearty but better seasoned.

3. Glacier BrewHouse in Anchorage: Grade: 6/10 Roses. Hearty but not seasoned.

4. Cafe Orca in Whittier: Grade: 5/10 Roses. Nothing exciting about it.

5. Phyllis's Seafood in Anchorage: Grade: 5/10 Roses. Think but not seasoned too well.

All over food Grade: 6.5/10 Roses


I had the idea in my head that the food (especially the seafood) was going to be awesome and was pretty disappointed.

FYI, some places are very expensive.

HOTEL REVIEW: ALYESKA RESORT

Alyeska Resort is Alaska's premier year-round destination featuring the 304-room Hotel Alyeska. Located just 40ish miles from Anchorage, Alyeska Resort is your base camp for summer and winter excursions.

The Good:
Beautiful place
Nice beds
Nice pool & hot tub
Great view
Nice hikes around the area
Great cocktails!!!
The concierge was wonderful!!

The Bad:
Pillows were ruff
Food sucked!!!!!

Grade: 8.5/10 Roses
Food Grade: 5/10 Roses

My room:


The Resort in the winter:


Click HERE for their website!

BREW BATTLE: CALDERA VS STANDING STONE

Caldera Tap House & Standing Stone Brewery are two local breweries based in Ashland, Oregon. I went to both and tried a sampler at each.

Caldera:

In Order From Left: Oatmeal Stout, Ashland Amber, Hopportunity Knocks, Dry Hop Red, Dry Hop Orange

Standing Stone:

In Order From Left: Oatmeal Stout, Double IPA, IPA, Amber Ale, Lager

Winner: Caldera Tap House!!!

The quality was just better. I love the wooden container that the tastes come in at Caldera but I like the glasses from Standing Stone better. I had the fries at Caldera and I give them 10/10 Roses. They were excellent! I had dinner at Standing Stone and it was okay 5/10 Roses. I was told though that their Blue Cheese Burger is excellent.

Caldera Brews:
Oatmeal Stout: 10/10 Roses (my fav)
Ashland Amber: 9/10 Roses
Hopportunity Knocks: 8/10 Roses
Dry Hop Red: 6/10 Roses (least fav)
Dry Hop Orange: 8/10 Roses

Standing Stone Brews:
Oatmeal Stout: 6/10 Roses
Double IPA: 9/10 Roses (my fav)
 IPA: 5/10 Roses
Amber Ale: 5/10 Roses
Lager: 5/10 Roses

Caldera Brews My Sister Had That I Tried (other sampler in above picture):
Vas Deferens: 3 Roses
Rauch Ur Bock: 0 Roses (this got a Gold Medal and I don't know how. I hated it)
Lawnmower Lager: 4.7 Roses (fav)
Pilsener Bier: 4 Roses

HOTEL REVIEW: COLUMBIA HOTEL

The Columbia Hotel in Ashland, Oregon is a cozy little hotel right on the main street. It was established in 1910 and is a registered Historical Landmark.

The Good:
One story (no noisy people stomping around upstairs)
Wireless internet
No TV (could be bad for some people)
Staff was excellent and knowledgeable (they get 5 Roses)
Nice pillows (pillows are hit or miss in most hotels)
Has a 1920's "feel" to it

The Bad:
Community bathroom & shower
Staircase in front might be too much for some people (go around the back is my answer)

Grade: 4.7 Roses

Staircase off Main St.


Inside:





I will be staying here again for sure. I highly recommend this place!

PLACES TO GO: CINETOPIA

From Cinetopiatheaters:

Cinetopia is a locally owned, luxury 8-screen movie theater and entertainment complex, which is conveniently located near the intersection at Mill Plain Boulevard and I-205 in Vancouver, Washington, just minutes from Portland Oregon. Cinetopia exceeds all current movie going standards and amenities offered in the Northwest by providing a variety of high-end entertainment options under one roof. The theaters have superior seating and Digital Super High Definition projection and audio equipment. Within Cinetopia is Vinotopia, a restaurant and wine bar with indoor and tropical garden seating. The wine bar has a fully automated tasting system where patrons sample from over 100 different wines from around the world. The restaurant, wine bar, and the Living Room Theaters feature pre-show live music Friday and Saturday. An art gallery spans the entire complex and offers displayed art for sale. In addition, the complex offers a state-of-the-art business conferencing and meeting facility that can also be reserved for private parties and affairs. We're sure you'll enjoy spending time at Cinetopia.

Mega theater

Comfy seats

Living Room Theater

Restaurant

Wine Bar

It was a very nice movie going experience. It can be expensive though. Two tickets, during the day, to the mega screen in 3D was 21.50$.

Grade: 4 Roses

If you have the money and time you should go and check it out.

Click HERE for more info.

{images via cinetopiatheaters}

PLACES TO GO: 1000 ACRES DOG PARK

I did not know this place existed until my sister told me about it and I went and met her. It's called, to the locals, 1000 Acres Park. It is just not an off-leash dog park, its also just a park. Located around the Sandy River Delta (for those of you who don't know what a river delta is, the short version is its where one river goes into another body of water. In this case it's where the Sandy flows into the Columbia). I took some pics of Jackson, AKA Jack, and Co. out around just one side of the park.

The Sandy River

Jack and my sister's dog Emily

The Columbia (Hello Washington!)

The Happiest Dog In The World!

I highly recommend this place to anyone who has a dog or dogs. They get to run free, play with other dogs, and swim. Jack is exhausted by the time he gets home.

Click HERE for a map.