08.1.11 
jspeer
Well, July just flew by. We’re now into the dog days of summer in Ashland where the weather resembles a slightly more humid version of Boise; clear blue skies, hot. We’re also into the dog days of America where the president has become a Prime Minister and the party that’s prepared to be most intransigent gets to make policy. Read More
07.1.11 jspeer
One year ago today i was back in Boise loading a big rental truck with the help of a local lacrosse team. The good news was we hardly filled the truck halfway. We needed the big truck to fit our double kayak. Getting the 400 pound pizza oven in at the end was a real clambake.
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06.25.11 jspeer
Barbecue is a loaded term with vastly differing meanings depending on where one is located and to whom one is speaking. I tend to agree with Meat Head over at Amazing Ribs on most of the myriad barbecue variables.
From my own research I’ve discovered i prefer water-smoked ribs vs. dry-smoked ribs, i prefer when the bottom membrane of the ribs is removed prior to smoking, i can’t stand “memphis style” ribs that are boiled prior to grilling, i like a sauce that caramelizes when the ribs are finished over the coals, and i really don’t like IPA style beer on hot day (or any other day for that matter). Read More
06.19.11 jspeer
Like a switch being thrown, we’re now in summer. The sun is baking while the air remains just a bit cool. The mix seems a great combination for cloud formation and I can’t get enough clouds.
06.5.11 jspeer
Oregon has a robust wine industry. Much of the product is very good; concordantly much of the product is overpriced, but visiting vineyards remains a great way to spend an afternoon and today proved no exception. With our friend Hollis, we picked three local vineyards all within a couple miles of Ashland and off we went before the latest round of rain came down.
Running a vineyard is farming on steroids. Like raising any other lucrative cash crop the rewards are many and the risks are many, many more. Forget any notion of romanticism, running a vineyard at a profit is almost as bad as trying to run a theatre at a profit; it’s a nasty business where talent alone won’t suffice. There are many many vineyard owners who, despite having the credentials, lost everything to the vagaries of the market and/or the weather.
Today’s winner was Trium vineyards. We ended up buying a case of the 2005 cuvée blend. It’s a treat to compare blends and vintages side by side, to taste exactly how similar blends can vary so much year to year. We also joined their wine club, so expect reviews as the season moves along.
