Friday, October 18, 2019

Vanabout 2019 Day 28: Aberdeen

Still South Dakota.

Found a cute campground that most of the year is a hopping family holiday retreat. But it’s cold and snowy and latish October, so it’s virtually empty.

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Still snow on the ground.


Firsts

  • Use of a laundromat in a very very long time.


day 27

Vanabout 2019 Day 27: Lemmon

South Dakota, if you’re wondering. I can only assume the town was named for acting great and original Felix Unger, Jack Lemmon. Prove me wrong.

There’s not a lot to say about this place and so I won’t.

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That’s a torrential snow storm off in the distance.

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Firsts

  • Time in North Dakota on my way here.


day 26

Vanabout 2019 Day 26: Helena

The next few blog entries won’t have much. I’m currently racing across the northern states to get positioned for my annual trip to Vermont. But please enjoy these pictures of mountainy Helena.

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Firsts

  • Time eating dinner in former bordello.



day 25

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Vanabout 2019 Day 25: Missoula

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Firsts

  • Time in Missoula
  • Hike to a hillside letter


day 24

Vanabout 2019 Days 23-24: Walla Walla

Two feet of snow got dumped on Glacier so alternate plans were required. I was told there were a few wineries around Walla Walla, and by a few I mean 170ish. Thus a change of plans to Walla Walla was obvious.

And I am so glad this change was made as I had one of the best meals I’ve had in 2019 at Hattaway’s. If you ever go, eat at the bar and have bartender Chad be your guide.


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And a fine Penicillin at Marcy’s

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And a great tasting from a very friendly owner at Isenhower.

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Firsts

  • Obvs, first time in Walla Walla
  • Drinking a penicillin with a chai honey syrup instead of ginger. Still very good.

day 22

Vanabout 2019 Days 21-22: Leavenworth

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The first time I traveled to Glacier NP, I drove along US 2 and after passing my namesake Steven’s Pass, encountered this Bavarian mountain village. I didn’t stop that time, but I have every time ever since.

Leavenworth is adorable and fun. Ok, maybe it’s not the most authentic Teutonic experience, but it’s still fun.


Firsts

  • Wine tasting – several wineries in Washington have tasting rooms in Leavenworth.
  • Schnitz – I’ve had Haxe before, but never schnitzel. This was my fifth of the trip.

day 20

Vanabout 2019 Days 16-20: Seattle

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I love Seattle. It is easily my favorite city in North America. And the funny thing is people always complain about the rainy weather there.  But whenever I’m there, it’s nothing but sunshine. I must bring the great weather and I await the Seattle City Council’s invitation to move there.

No trip to Seattle is complete without requisite trips to Elliot’s, The Brooklyn, and Top Pot. I was extremely relieved to see that Top Pot was still good. The Top Pot in Dallas is shit and are ruining the fine name of Top Pot.

Firsts

  • Bateau – OMG easily the best steak I’ve ever eaten.
  • Seattle Underground – entertaining and interesting history of Seattle, but, I dunno. What was the point of the underground?
  • R Day Celebration – local yellow beer provider Rainier Brewery threw a concert. The second accidental concert of the trip.
  • Visit to Chihuly Garden

day 16

Vanabout 2019 Day 14 & 15: Willamette Valley

Time for more wine tasting.

This time, except for the great De Ponte, I looked for wineries that had something else to offer other than my beloved Pinot Noir. For my efforts I was 1 for 2. Brooks Winery had some very nice and aromatic whites with a very special nod to their Gewürztraminer. I seriously wish I had bought more than just a half a case. Also, their tasting room was pretty hoppin’. Most of the tasting rooms in the WV are pretty small and quiet, but not Brooks.

Elk Cove on the other hand.  Well, their wines were ok. And the road to their winery was rather rough on Stevie Ray. So I wasn’t in the greatest mood going into this tasting.  But, especially compared to Brooks, the whites were just ok – better than average but not great.  They did have a beautiful estate, though.



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And whenever I’m in McMinnville, I have to have the schnitzel at the Golden Valley Brewpub. It is one of the best schnitzel I can get in the US and also the 4th and not final schitz of the trip.

Firsts

  • Visits to Brooks and Elk Cove
  • Tank dump of the trip.  And boy do I have a story about that.


day 14

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Vanabout 2019 Day 13: Medford

Guess what!

My phone has been found.

Other than that, there’s not much to say about this day. It was just a moving day to get to McMinnville.

Firsts

  • Viewing of Mount Shasta. Unfortunately I took no pictures.  It is amazing.


day13

Vanabout 2019 Day 12: Sacramento

Well, really Orangevale.

This was just a day to get the hell out of Oakland and chill with an old friend with some all you can eat sushi and 90 Day Fiancée.

But I did get some decoration for Stevie Ray’s Fridge.

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That’s me an Zoe if you couldn’t tell.

Firsts

  • Eating sushi in California this Century
  • Watching of 90 Day Fiancée


day 12

Vanabout 2019 Day 11: Oakland Again

After drinking so much wine it was time for a long beer dinking day.

Starting at Oakland United in the Jack London area of Oakland.

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Then off to Federation Brewery, but alas no pix.

Firsts

  • Visit to Oakland United and Federation
  • Sunday Funday w/ Sam not ending at Stan’s


day 11

Vanabout 2019 Day 28: Aberdeen

Still South Dakota. Found a cute campground that most of the year is a hopping family holiday retreat. But it’s cold and snowy and latish Oc...