Beauty in the everyday comes in many different forms. Yesterday, I observed it as I sat outside at Allagash Brewery. I had previously visited Riverton Trolley Park with my after-school group from Riverton Elementary. We had a blast as we explored the "castle" (aka, built-up entry way complete with turrets), played "camouflage" and stomped through the leaves of this historic landscape. We also happened upon a bald-faced hornet which apparently has one of the most potent stings of the hornet clan. Luckily for us, it was lethargic and on its way out the door!!
After the students left me, I went across the street to Allagash. My buddy told me about an event he was missing out on and I figured I'd go drink some free beer for him. The event was the Barrel-Aged Beer event with five brews. First, there was the Tripel, then the Curieux, followed by the James Bean, Black and finally the bourbon barrel black. The first two tasted pretty good but the last three were not my cup of beer. Doug would have loved them though!
But back to the beauty in this: I was sitting outside, slowly sipping my beverages and reading a book. It was very quiet and pleasant. Just then a man walked in with spade and a pick ax. Sweet. He said "sorry I have to interrupt your quiet time but I have to test the wastewater." I responded, "can I watch!?!?!!" Yes. Yes I can. I looked over his shoulder as he tested metals, pH, dissolved oxygen and more. It was fascinating and a great surprise! He drank one of the lesser-favorite beers and went on his way.
Thursday brought copious amounts of rain. Our running club still decided it would be a wonderful idea to go for a run. I met Leslie at her house, snuggled her beautiful golden retriever, Miles, and we were off. It had started to precipitate steadily and within three minutes of running to the Old Port, we were soaked. We met up with Shannon and Will and decided to do the normal three mile course. It was oddly beautiful, splashing through puddles with soaked shoes and dripping with water that perhaps the dinosaurs once drank. My favorite part of the run was the "Fern Gully" movie moment as we splashed through a large puddle of water as if we were Zak and Crysta falling in love. Awwwwww. But as the run ran on, we became more water-logged and finally showed up at Infiniti for our after-workout fill-up. Water for me, as if I hadn't had enough! The Infiniti bartenders are ever so amazing because we dripped everywhere! The previous week, Leslie and I had run alone and decided to try the fries and daily soup. Not too shabby! Emily has had the tacos before and I didn't hear a negative review.
Friday, I visited Urban Farm Fermentery, where kombucha, cider and mead are always on tap. I have yet to be disappointed with this place. Maybe that's because one of my favorite kombuchas (ginger) is one of their staples and they always have it. They also often have blueberry too, which is also something I really enjoy. The best one I've had yet was a red hot chili pepper brew that burned in the best way possible. You can go there to taste things in a couple pours or you can go there to get your growler filled. I finally broke down and bought one which is 32 ounce growler of love.
After stopping by the Farmer's Market Saturday morning, I got a coffee at Bard, spent some time at Black Parrot shop, read at the ferry terminal and finally, met my coworker friend for a drink at Novare Res. It just so happened to correspond with a Harvest Festival that they were having that I didn't know about. Apparently Doug did because he really wanted to get a very special beer. It tasted was okay to me... More for him! I had a very tasty Bantam cider that had essence of sour cherries and green peppercorns. I tasted another one from Bantam that was more pumpkin pie-esque with coriander and cinnamon. It was tasty! Of course we also had also had to have a few Holy donuts, one with apple glaze and apple chunks inside. To make this event even more fall-like, the deck where we are sitting had a cider press going. The guys that started Infiiniti brought lots of apples that they had rummaged around Portland to find. I have to say that the Audubon cider press that is wicked old has much more personality but this one was also very useful and versatile. They went through a couple hundred apples in less than a couple hours. And the fresh-made cider was very tasty, especially when mixed with bourbon…
After the students left me, I went across the street to Allagash. My buddy told me about an event he was missing out on and I figured I'd go drink some free beer for him. The event was the Barrel-Aged Beer event with five brews. First, there was the Tripel, then the Curieux, followed by the James Bean, Black and finally the bourbon barrel black. The first two tasted pretty good but the last three were not my cup of beer. Doug would have loved them though!
But back to the beauty in this: I was sitting outside, slowly sipping my beverages and reading a book. It was very quiet and pleasant. Just then a man walked in with spade and a pick ax. Sweet. He said "sorry I have to interrupt your quiet time but I have to test the wastewater." I responded, "can I watch!?!?!!" Yes. Yes I can. I looked over his shoulder as he tested metals, pH, dissolved oxygen and more. It was fascinating and a great surprise! He drank one of the lesser-favorite beers and went on his way.
Thursday brought copious amounts of rain. Our running club still decided it would be a wonderful idea to go for a run. I met Leslie at her house, snuggled her beautiful golden retriever, Miles, and we were off. It had started to precipitate steadily and within three minutes of running to the Old Port, we were soaked. We met up with Shannon and Will and decided to do the normal three mile course. It was oddly beautiful, splashing through puddles with soaked shoes and dripping with water that perhaps the dinosaurs once drank. My favorite part of the run was the "Fern Gully" movie moment as we splashed through a large puddle of water as if we were Zak and Crysta falling in love. Awwwwww. But as the run ran on, we became more water-logged and finally showed up at Infiniti for our after-workout fill-up. Water for me, as if I hadn't had enough! The Infiniti bartenders are ever so amazing because we dripped everywhere! The previous week, Leslie and I had run alone and decided to try the fries and daily soup. Not too shabby! Emily has had the tacos before and I didn't hear a negative review.
Friday, I visited Urban Farm Fermentery, where kombucha, cider and mead are always on tap. I have yet to be disappointed with this place. Maybe that's because one of my favorite kombuchas (ginger) is one of their staples and they always have it. They also often have blueberry too, which is also something I really enjoy. The best one I've had yet was a red hot chili pepper brew that burned in the best way possible. You can go there to taste things in a couple pours or you can go there to get your growler filled. I finally broke down and bought one which is 32 ounce growler of love.
After stopping by the Farmer's Market Saturday morning, I got a coffee at Bard, spent some time at Black Parrot shop, read at the ferry terminal and finally, met my coworker friend for a drink at Novare Res. It just so happened to correspond with a Harvest Festival that they were having that I didn't know about. Apparently Doug did because he really wanted to get a very special beer. It tasted was okay to me... More for him! I had a very tasty Bantam cider that had essence of sour cherries and green peppercorns. I tasted another one from Bantam that was more pumpkin pie-esque with coriander and cinnamon. It was tasty! Of course we also had also had to have a few Holy donuts, one with apple glaze and apple chunks inside. To make this event even more fall-like, the deck where we are sitting had a cider press going. The guys that started Infiiniti brought lots of apples that they had rummaged around Portland to find. I have to say that the Audubon cider press that is wicked old has much more personality but this one was also very useful and versatile. They went through a couple hundred apples in less than a couple hours. And the fresh-made cider was very tasty, especially when mixed with bourbon…