September 29, 2010

Eugene, Oregon: King Estate winery; things to do + restaurant review

King Estate winery 

80854 Territorial Rd, SW of town, 800-884-4441, 541-942-9874. Tasting daily 11-5; tours on the hour, noon-5pm.

wine tasting on the deck at King Estate winery in Eugene, Oregon
wine tasting on the deck at King Estate winery in Eugene, Oregon


Reached by a drive through scenic farmland, this gated hilltop French-style chateau is approached via a spectacular uphill drive past grounds planted with Mirabelle plum trees and grape vines. The area is reminiscent of England’s Lake Country to such an extent that if I were dropped here blindfolded and asked where I was, I would reply, “On Beatrix Potter’s farm.” The King Estate winery uses organic and sustainable farming, has published several wine varietal cookbooks, and is well-known for its Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir—both of which may be tasted at no fee.

The Restaurant and Wine Bar at King Estate 

541-685-5189. L-D daily, Sat-SunBr; $-$$. Reservations required for indoor seating; outdoor seating is first-come, first-served.
The menu at The Restaurant and Wine Bar at King Estate incorporates estate and locally grown organic ingredients that complement King Estate wines. In good weather, the expansive outdoor patio, with its views of the surrounding forested hills dotted with small farms, is the venue of choice, though the interior is stellar, too, and features a cozy fireplace. Appetizers might include Oregon Dungeness crab cakes or a plate of Pacific Northwest artisan cheeses, while lunch choices might be an excellent burger with pommes frites and housemade ketchup, a very tasty sandwich of pulled pork that has simmered in barbecue sauce for hours, or a refined grilled hanger steak with crispy fingerling potatoes. Well-priced wine flights are the perfect accompaniment.

September 27, 2010

Eugene, Oregon: Cascades Raptor Center; things to do

Cascades Raptor Center  

32275 Fox Hollow Rd., (541) 485-1320. 10 Tu-Sun 10-6, Apr-Oct; handler talks, Sat & Sun at 12 & 2 p.m. $7, teens/seniors $6, under 12-$4. 

vulture at the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon
vulture at the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon


Located on the outskirts of town in a bucolic rural area at the eastern base of Spencer Butte, the 3-acre Cascades Raptor Center site is home to a collection of rustic, well-maintained enclosures set along gravel trails dotted with tall trees (there are some hilly spots). The cages hold permanent unreleasable birds of prey—including eagles, vultures, and owls. The focus is on northwest birds that are found at some time of year in Oregon. In fact, this facility has the most diverse collection of native raptors on the West Coast (it currently has 60 permanent resident birds of 33 species). A hospital area is off limits. More than 200 birds are received here each year, and it costs around $35,000 per year for food, so donations are always welcome. Informative handler talks and demonstrations take place in an open-air pavilion, and demonstrations are presented regularly in another enclosure.

Just across the street, the Ridgeline Trail offers both hiking and mountain biking.





image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 24, 2010

Canby, Oregon: Canby Ferry; things to do

Canby Ferry  

Holly St./Mountain Rd., on Hwy. 99E, (503) 650-3030. Daily 6:45-9:15. $2/car.

Canby Ferry in Canby, Oregon
Canby Ferry in Canby, Oregon


The Canby Ferry is one of only three operating car ferries left in Oregon. From Canby, the ferry has crossed the Willamette River to Wilsonville since 1914. To experience it, in Canby take a left on Holly and follow the signs several miles out to the electrical-powered car ferry (the historic cable-drawn M. J. Lee was replaced by a new ferry in 1996). The updated ferry holds only six cars at a time, so sometimes there is a short wait (it only takes a few minutes to cross the river). On the other side, continue driving on the scenic country road until you reach Highway 205, then head back to I-5. From here it is only about 10 miles into Portland.



image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 22, 2010

Canby, Oregon: Swan Island Dahlias; things to do

Swan Island Dahlias  

995 NW 22nd Ave., (800) 410-6540, (503) 266-7711. 10 M-Sat 9-4:30, Sun 10-3, Aug-Sept only.

flower fields at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon
flower fields at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon


Family owned since 1927, Swan Island Dahlias is America's largest dahlia grower. New and exclusive varieties are hybridized each year at this farm, which currently grows over 40 acres and features more than 350 varieties of dahlias. You won't find a better selection of dahlia bulbs (tubers) anywhere. Picnic tables.

An annual Dahlia Festival is held in late August.




image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 19, 2010

Hamburg, Germany: Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg; things to do

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg


Two German brothers got a little carried away with their train set and now have an amazing computer-controlled layout with more than 800 trains in Hamburg, Germany.  It is the largest model railroad in the world.






September 15, 2010

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest hint

Oktoberfest hint


One of the things I discovered as I prepared for my visit to Oktoberfest this year is that a lot of important planning information doesn't seem to surface until it is too late. For instance, you really must make lodging arrangements in Munich about three months in advance.

exterior of Festzelt tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
exterior of Festzelt tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany



September 13, 2010

London, England: The Portland Hotel; hotel review


The Portland Hotel  

31-32 Bedford Place, in Bloomsbury, +44 (0) 20 7580 7088. 18 rooms. Weekend rates include continental breakfast.

This beautifully restored Georgian townhouse has large rooms—some with high ceilings and decorative molding, and some in the back with large windows overlooking the Duke of Bedford’s former garden (it is a backyard running the length of Bedford Place and shared with Montague Street).

The sophisticated decor at The Portland Hotel falls somewhere between contemporary style and old-fashioned English chintz. I liked the “fitted kitchenette” in a closet, and most especially its tea cabinet equipped with a hot water kettle and tea bags. Our dramatic oversized bathroom had the same tall ceiling as the bedroom plus another window looking out to the yard, a large soaking tub and shower, and a shiny black marble floor in which I could actually see my reflection.

Breakfast is taken a few doors down the street in a sister hotel, The Clarendon. Guests can relax with a drink in the bar lounge there, too, or just sit in a private back garden.



More London hotels.

More ideas for exploring Europe.


image courtesy of hotel

September 1, 2010

Picture-perfect Paris

Picture-perfect Paris


This very high-resolution panoramic image of Paris is so sharp that you could print a 20,000-square-foot poster and still not see any pixels!



More photo galleries.

More Paris.

More ideas for exploring Europe.


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