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  1. #1
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....

    Well the wifey and I are heading back to the Pacific Northwest for about a month and a few days. Our Big Jumbo Jet flaps its wings out of swampypooh Tomorrow Sept 4. My SIL and her daughter will be up at the house enjoying the digs with my FIL while we are gone. I told them have fun and pretend this is "spring break" and trash the place. Of course they didn't get it but they have never been to a spring break like we do'em in the states.

    Anyway its not really a leisure trip as we will be busy. We will cover California (SF Bay area/Napa), Oregon (Portland), Washington State (Seattle), British Columbia and NY (Manhattan area). We will do a week in NY, 3 days after we arrive in Napa. Jet Lag....Naaaaah.... then return back and hang in Napa for a week or 2 then head to Oregon, Washington, BC. Seattle is the last stop as I am the best man in my long time friends wedding. It should be a doooozy. He is marrying a Mexican gal and there should be lots of Tequila and some crazy drunks from brides side....I can't wait.... There are 250 people coming. This will be my wife's first experience with a bunch of crazies. The challenge is the wedding is on Oct 6th, The reception is Oct 7th with dinner and drinking commencing at 6 (Of course the Groom and I will likely be polluted and in need of medical attention starting on Oct 5)..Anyway then I will have to get up at 3am(If I even sleep) and drive straight back to Napa on Oct 8. We have to pack our crap up as our flight leaves Oct 9th early Am to Thailand.

    I packed my drone so I will do some vids and post them up. I may not get to this until I return to Thailand(If I do....Lots of shit can go wrong on this trip as I see it...). I will attempt to post up some pics along the way including any and all ambulance rides.

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
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    good idea for the drone, please try to do a flyover over the new Freedom tower and report back

  3. #3
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    This will be my wife's first experience with a bunch of crazies
    Wife and I were up there couple years ago. Santa Rosa area. Wife's first trip as well. Partied hardy with Mexican friends. Most spoke Spanish to the wife.

  4. #4
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    Have a great trip. Looking forward to the pics.

  5. #5
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Wife and I were up there couple years ago. Santa Rosa area. Wife's first trip as well. Partied hardy with Mexican friends. Most spoke Spanish to the wife
    My wife worked at a Catering business in the states Norton. Almost the entire set up staff was Mexican and she learned a bit of Spanish. She never partied with them. This should be fun.

    Quote Originally Posted by tunk View Post
    Have a great trip. Looking forward to the pics.
    Thanks Tunk. Pics will be posted as I can.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by tunk View Post
    Have a great trip. Looking forward to the pics.
    What he said.

  7. #7
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Well 4:30 am PST and I am up. Wifes stomach woke me up. I think her big one was trying to eat her small one so she had to get some crunchy ass Thai snack and eat it next to me to stop the war.

    Flight was good. Only weird deal was I had to sit by some older (50 ish I'd guess) gal from the UK from BKK to Taipei. She was clearly amped up on meth or crank. She was fidgety, leg always moving, rifled through her bag a dozen times and got up and down at least 8 or so times. She kept looking over at me trying to get me to engage in a convo. I looked other way. My wife asked me is she high?..555

    Landed in SF, friend picked us up at curb and as we merged our the Hiway some dude wailed on his horn in his big SUV and drove by us Flipping him off..

    It feels good to be back in the fray.... .

    I know. The thread needs pics. I will get to some today.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Enjoy yourself and return safely, both of you (watch out for the Mexican bandits).

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    It feels good to be back in the fray....
    ...you're a little late for this year's parade...

  10. #10
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...you're a little late for this year's parade...
    I know damnit. I was going to do a drone fly over. LOL

  11. #11
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Pics



    Started the trip off with a visit to BevMo to pick up some beverages to relax with. Some will make it back home to my cabinet



    Took a walk with my drone to take some pics of the Vines. These are Chardonnay



    Chardonnay grapes. Most have been picked already. As the vines are loaded right this time of year









    Cabernet grapes. These will be picked in 2 weeks. (Sorry LuLu, No Mont Claire in these parts )



    One of the local vineyards and wine makers





    Few drone pics of the Vineyards for the Black Stalion Vines.



    Dropped us a few Fat T Bones steak on the grill.

  12. #12
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    Looking good so far, JPP.

    Being the wine connoisseur, try this one if you get the chance. Grapes grown in AZ of all places, yet been sweeping up awards.

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-maynards-wine-jpg
    been hearing lots of good things...


    May I be so bold as to post a painting I've recently acquired?

    It's from a Pac. NW artist (native) and I can't think of a better thread to place it in at the moment.

    It's my b-day gift to myself and shall adorn the wall of a shitty little apt. I rent in (sadly) LA this winter in a sketchy part of town, naturally.

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-hollyweird-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-maynards-wine-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-hollyweird-jpg  

  13. #13
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Well Happy Birthday Hick and very cool picture.

    As for wine, I don't drink it. Never have. I have tried some really good ones with friends but taste never settled with me. I wish they grew Blue Agave here....

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...^^that poor female is riding the hump while you're celebrating your birthday...

  15. #15
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    Wow so beautiful...the t-bones.

  16. #16
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    In Midtown NY currently. NY is like any big city. Tons of tourists, garbage, traffic, over priced food. The cultural diversity makes it interesting that's for sure. I miss my country living in Lampang.

    One thing I have found being back in the US is that you quickly end up eating utter crap convenience food. To eat reasonably well you have to do at home. The states is inundated with shit food restaurants and it's expensive as well.

    Pics soon

  17. #17
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    Well you need to get out of the shit cities and stop off in the heartland. They have some really good food there.

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    One thing I have found being back in the US is that you quickly end up eating utter crap convenience food
    ...SD and I never eat fast food on our trips to the US...a little advanced planning with the internet is all you need...
    Last edited by tomcat; 09-09-2018 at 06:08 AM.

  19. #19
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    In Midtown NY currently. NY is like any big city. Tons of tourists, garbage, traffic, over priced food. The cultural diversity makes it interesting that's for sure. I miss my country living in Lampang.

    One thing I have found being back in the US is that you quickly end up eating utter crap convenience food. To eat reasonably well you have to do at home. The states is inundated with shit food restaurants and it's expensive as well.

    Pics soon



  20. #20
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tunk View Post
    Well you need to get out of the shit cities and stop off in the heartland. They have some really good food there.
    True True Tunk but not many are traveling to the heartland to show popular tourist destinations. Wife wanted to see NY. In Napa we eat outstanding.

    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    SD and I never eat fast food on our trips to the US...a little advanced planning with the internet is all you need...
    Fortunately we are not eating Fast Food like McDs, Wendy's, Burger King etc etc.

  21. #21
    In Uranus
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    One thing I have found being back in the US is that you quickly end up eating utter crap convenience food. To eat reasonably well you have to do at home.
    NYC is a food mecca. There is literally more good food there then almost anyplace on earth. You are not doing it right Jp...

    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...SD and I never eat fast food on our trips to the US...a little advanced planning with the internet is all you need...
    This.

  22. #22
    CCBW Stumpy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bsnub View Post
    NYC is a food mecca. There is literally more good food there then almost anyplace on earth. You are not doing it right Jp..
    Absolutely agree. Actually I think I stated my message and should change it. The diversity of food here is outstanding however it's all super rich and many are not so healthy. We have hit up a few really good restaurants for dinner but portions are huge and wife gets big eyed on price. We ate at this place called Chops. Food was delish. Dinner for 2 was $100+ including drinks and tip. I am definitely spoiled in back in Thailand.

    NY is just like SF in many regards. I just know SF well and where to go for good eats. I have been to NY numerous times on business but never as a tourist. Our room view on the 27th floor looks right at The Empire State building. Cant get imgur to load pics.
    Last edited by Stumpy; 09-09-2018 at 08:31 AM.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    Dinner for 2 was $100+ including drinks and tip.
    ...*cough*...that's not bad for Mid-town Manhattan, particularly if you enjoyed the meal...

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    One thing I have found being back in the US is that you quickly end up eating utter crap convenience food. To eat reasonably well you have to do at home. The states is inundated with shit food restaurants and it's expensive as well.
    Funny totally opposite conclusion from me...

    ...at 85% raw vegan currently, I've found easy options in shops, convenience stores, etc. across the US.

    Tip:

    when arriving in new locales, check Farmers Market schedule/location(s).

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2 View Post
    We will cover California (SF Bay area/Napa), Oregon (Portland), Washington State (Seattle), British Columbia
    Did the journey northbound some 15 years ago via Route 101, very enjoyable, not so crowdy.

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-0027-jpg

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-0029d-jpg
    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-0030-jpg


    Just few days after W landed proudly on a carrier moored at San Diego, that's why seeing some interesting sideboards in the poor villages:
    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-f0005_3-jpg

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-dscf0040a-jpg

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-cf0013_2-jpgBack to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-cf0017_3-jpg
    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-dscf0034-jpg


    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-cf0039_3-jpg

    In the B.C. is worth to transfer to Victoria Island and see the famous Butchart Gardens:
    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-xdscf0018_2-jpg


    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-dscf0038-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-f0005_3-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-dscf0040a-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-dscf0034-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-0027-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-cf0039_3-jpg  

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-xdscf0018_2-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-dscf0038-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-0029d-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-0030-jpg   Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-cf0013_2-jpg  

    Back to the U.S. Pacific Northwest.....-cf0017_3-jpg  

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