Slowly coming down from our turkey overdose, we decided to do some visiting today. But first we had to exercise and cheer for the George Washington Colonials (Lisa's alma mater) who had visitors of their own this morning in Washington, DC - the Oregon State Beavers.
Photo property of Oregonlive.com
Oregon State basketball coach, Craig Robinson, is the brother of First Lady Michelle Obama. (I think Coach Robinson wanted to eat turkey with his sister and Mother, so conveniently arranged to play a team in DC over the Thanksgiving holiday???) Yesterday the OSU team had a tour of the White House and met with President Obama. Today the President (along with Mrs. O, the girls and his Mother-in-Law) attended the game at The Smith Center (literally just a few steps from The White House). I guess the Beavers were all jacked-up on Obama because they beat my previously-undefeated Colonials 64-57 (GW was picked to win by 14).
I swear the Obama's are sitting in our seats.
We left our house...
and went to visit our other house.
It is rude to visit without bringing a gift, so we stopped by Camping World and bought a new sewer hose for the Magna Peregrinus. Jealous much?
Next we took the "back road" home - through acres of walnuts, hazelnuts and hops - stopping to visit two very local vineyards. Every Thanksgiving weekend nearly all Willamette Valley wine makers hold an Open House during the annual Oregon Wine Tour. Local tasting rooms are decorated for the holidays and many have music, gifts and foods too. Wine flights are usually $10-$15, wines are available at special prices, new vintages are introduced - and most places let you keep the glass as a souvenir. This is a great weekend to visit Oregon!
and went to visit our other house.
Dave comes here often enough, they don't dare ask him for a tasting fee. He loved the new vintage and purchased a case.
Ponzi Vineyards
Support your local farmers!
It doesn't get more local than Cooper Mountain Vineyards, which is just a few hundred yards up the hill from our property. Cooper Mountain is an organic and biodynamic vineyard - can you imagine our luck - and they make a very nice Pinot Gris which we proudly pour at our house.
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
The usual tasting room is too small to hold all the visitors during the Thanksgiving Open House, so Cooper Mountain Vineyards hosted their party in their wine making building. They had great cheeses to compliment the wines and a nice three-piece band. Fun times!
Music amidst the packing boxes
It was crazy-busy at Cooper Mountain this afternoon
Except for the basketball score from DC, it was a great day. We actually plan to visit additional vineyards tomorrow, so check back.
Until my next update, I remain, your "Hail to the Buff, Hail to the Blue, Loyal to GW" correspondent.