Beer, Wine and Mojitos

Before school started we still had some more exploring to do.  After going out to the Koosah and Sahalie falls, we realized that Bend was only another hour past there and that since it really wasn't that far, we should go visit our ole' pal Liz.  So the next weekend we trekked out there for what was to become a bar hopping day.  After seeing the many animals that live in the People's house, we headed over to Deschutes Brewery for lunch.  Homemade chili fries was accompanied by a Deschutes River Ale (which is now one of my favorites).  The restaurant resided in a large and beautiful building.  Not wanting to squander the sunny day, we walked around downtown and around the Old Mill mall and concert venue.  It seemed that everyone else had the same idea we had.  Runners, bikers, and paddle boarders alike were out and about.  

We stopped in for a glass of wine at Naked Winery, and enjoyed a nice refreshing white to accompany the never ending chocolate chip discs that were offered with the wine.  After another tour of the river and a park which name I do not remember, we needed to get out McMenamins stamps for our passport.  We met up with some friends for dinner and to celebrate Preslie's Birthday.  McMenamins Old St. Francis school was great place to walk around.  With multiple bars, a fireside pub and a large outdoor heated area, I wish we could have stayed longer.  It was very tempting to have a whiskey sour and sit next to the fire place and relax.

We said goodbye and headed for The Velvet, a two story bar in Bend.  Liz had been telling me how great the Mojitos were at this bar, but I wasn't so sure.  She was right.  Minty and incredibly refreshing, I definitely recommend them to anyone in the area.  With wood walls and furniture, this cozy bar featured videos of skiers and snowboarders from Mt. Bachelor.  It was very warm inside and I felt like I was in a ski lodge, warming up after a long day in the snow.  There were people of all ages, laughing and having a great time.  I cannot wait to return.

Liz, Nyla and I enjoying our Mojitos.

In September we also headed out to LaVelle Vineyards, for some wine, cheese and a tour of the vineyard.  

Our cheese and fruit platter, along with some delicious  wine.

We enjoyed some a couple tastings of their different wine, and then were taken to their deck that overlooked the entire vineyard and the surrounding area.  It was a gorgeous view and we could see for miles.  We were able to enjoy our meal and wine with a beautiful backdrop.

Wine Grapes!

 We were able to stop and sample some grapes on our tour, trying Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Merlot among many others.  It was fun to be able find the tastes in the grapes that make each wine unique.  Learning about them from our guide was a great experience.

Eugene Exploration

In September, we were finally free from school for a bit so we finally found a day where we could finally explore nature around Eugene.  We went out in search of Tamolitch Pools, but after a logging road mishap we decided we couldn't find it.  But lucky for us we found another hiking spot.  In the Willamette Forest rests a series of Waterfalls, the Sahalie and Koosah falls which are apart of the McKenzie River.  What a spectacular find this was.

Sahalie Falls

Sahalie Falls is the first falls you come across.  Right off the parking lot with access for everyone.  A trail runs between the two falls and then down to Carmen Reservoir.  The trail runs along the river that is full of rapids, mini falls and beautiful shades of blue.

Mini falls along the river

Nyla observing some rapids and contemplating life.

 The trail is relatively short, less than two miles in and out.  We soon found ourselves at the top of Koosah Falls.  Unable to see much except the falls dropping off the cliff, we moved on to the observation area, only a short walk from the falls, and a great lunch spot.

Koosah Falls from the observation area.

We decided against hiking down towards the reservoir and made our way back up to Sahalie Falls where we parked.  We found a trail that led up past Sahalie Falls and decided to adventure that way.  We discovered that the trail led to the top of Sahalie Falls and found some gorgeous rapids just before the falls.

Rapids above Sahlie Falls.

As much as I hate heights, it was cool to look over the edge of the falls.  Not sure why there was no barricade, but not my problem.

Getting Back on the Blog Horse

Well seeing at our last post was on July 25th, it's been quite awhile since either of us blogged.  So for anyone that is interested in what we've been up to since then, here we go.

I'd love to say that we've been adventuring so much around Eugene that we've barely had time to sit and type, but that's bull.  The day after we finished our term papers for summer classes out computer crashed.  We took it in, found out we needed the hard drive replaced and decided to wait until we get some extra financial aid, so 2 months away.  It's annoying to blog on our iPad and phones, and didn't visit the library once school ended.  We figured we would blog once we got our computer fixed.  Alas, we finally get our computer looked at and they cleaned it out, avoiding needing a new hard drive.  But then the battery wouldn't hold a charge, and now finally after 6 months we have a computer again.

I thought now would be a great time to sit down and write about some fun things that we have done since July.

I ran Hood to Coast in August and ran my fastest 7 miles yet (thanks to a giant downhill slope on Mt. Hood).  Good times and sore muscles were had all around, and we raised enough to repair a well.  I plan to run again next year, hopefully doing the same leg as I did this last time.  Once I got my 7 mile run out of the way, the 4 and 3 mile ones were pieces of cake.

We celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary on August 24th and celebrated at Ringside Steakhouse in Portland.  Lightly breaded mouth watering onion rings were followed by juicy rib eye and prime rib steaks.  We ended with a creme brulee and 2 extremely full stomachs.

School began in September, plunging us into the ocean of school and work.  We did other fun things in the summer, but feel those photos and stories are better for their own post.

41 Things more important than your GPA in college. {Nyla}

I'm coming up on my senior year of college.

Panic has set in.

I decided I would put up a post today I had on an old blog.

It seemed fitting.

Hopefully you enjoy this as well.

1. Finding Yourself.
2. Finding a major you enjoy
3.Making friends you actually like.
4. Interning.
5. Volunteering your time.
6. Taking a class on something you know nothing about.
7. Learning how to pay bills.
8. Figuring out where the money is going to come from to pay your bills.
9. Learning to live with people besides your family.
10. Learning what you like to do.
11. Learning how much alcohol you can handle
12. Learning how much alcohol you can't handle.
13. Finding a passion you didn't know you had.
14. Opening your eyes to the world around you.
15. Realizing you actually really like your parents.
16. Discovering the value of a dollar.
17. Learning what a deadline means.
18. Making deadlines.
19. Doing something stupid and having a good story.
20. Learning to keep in touch with people while your in a different place.
21. Traveling
22. Taking a class you absolutely hate.
23. Failing miserably at something.
24. But getting up the next day and trying again.
25. Learning to do your own chores.
26. Managing Stress

27. Eating healthy

27. Exercising when you don't eat healthy.

28. Starting to figure out what you want out of life.

29. Changing your mind about things.

30. Forming your own opinion and thoughts about things.

31. Especially politics and what you like. 

32. Changing your major if you find a new one you like.

33. Trying your hardest.

34. Accomplishing something you thought you couldn't.

35. Going to a college football game.

36. Tailgating

37. Learning to work with people you don't like
38. Figuring out how to make a budget.
39. Sticking to a budget.
40. Figuring out how to make things work when you don't stick to your budget.
41. Making it to graduation.

Sidenote, I am not saying your GPA isn't important.

Because it is, but people get so caught up on a number. 

Just like with your SAT score, which by the way only 4 years later and I have no idea what I got.

There is so much more to learn and discover during college.

Try your best and learn something new everyday.

You'll be fine.

Hood to Coast

After the success I found in my 100 miles for Relay for Life, I decided that I would join a Hood to Coast team.  

Our team this year is through Living Water International, and we are fundraising to build a couple wells.  There are 783 Million people without safe drinking water in this world.  

Everyday I take for granted that I can walk into my kitchen and fill up my water bottle and not worry about boiling it or having to travel to get my water, it is right next to me.  Many walk miles one way to the nearest well everyday to get water.  That's time spent that could be used to help bring income into the family or educate children.  

My goal is to raise $500 towards Living Water International.  

I have 3 legs during Hood to Coast.  A 7 miler, a 4 miler and a 3 miler.  The last two are cake.  BUT I have never ever ran 7 miles before in my life.  But as of today I am currently at 5 miles.  I have over a month and until Hood to Coast and just need to go 2 more miles. 

Join me as I help build wells with the rest of my team!

Here is the link for our fundraising page.

https://www.crowdrise.com/HoodtoCoastRelay/fundraiser/nathanclark1

Thanks Everyone!

One Pot Pasta {By Nathan}

I found this recipe on Pinterest and thought I would try it.  It is very simple and fun to make, as well as very tasty. 

Ingredients:

1 Pound of Spaghetti 

2 Andouille Sausage Links (12 oz.) Thinly Sliced

1 Large Onion Thinly Sliced

3 Cups Halved Cherry Tomatoes

4 Cloves of Garlic

Basil

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Dubliner Cheese (grated)

In a large pot on medium-high heat, combine spaghetti, sausage, onion, tomatoes and basil together over medium-high heat.

Once that begins to boil, reduce heat and simmer pasta until water is gone, roughly 8-10 minutes.  Top with cheese and enjoy.

Serve Immediately.  

I strayed a little bit from the recipe I found because I accidentally bought cherry tomatoes instead of grape, and I didn't have parmesan cheese.  But it gave it a delicious taste.  

The original recipe can be found on my pinterest here:

http://www.pinterest.com/nathanlclark/all-things-edible/

It was incredibly easy to make, it took less than 10 minutes of prep time, and it cooked itself after that.  Great for a dinner in a hurry, and it makes quite a bit, so if there is only one or two of you, it gives you lunch the next day.  

I think next time I will add some more garlic and Nyla suggested that I char the tomatoes and add them later in the process.  

Hope you all enjoy it!

Summer Bucket List

Since we both are in summer school, we will be staying in the Eugene area for most of the summer.  But even with school and work, we will still get a good amount of free time, and that means.....

SUMMER BUCKET LIST TIME!

So far, this is what I would like to either accomplish, or in general do more of.

Nathan's List:

Travel Abroad

Finish In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck

Paint

Run Hood to Coast (Coming August 22nd.)

Run 7 Miles (Must do this before I do Above.)

Visit Crater Lake for the first time after 16 years in Oregon.

Read A Call to Action by Jimmy Carter

Make a Fruit Tart

Work on my Mcmenamins Passport

Nyla's List:

Go on more hikes

Attend an outdoor concert

Finish The Fault in our Stars

Take more photos

Go Wine Tasting

Finish our gallery wall

Go to the Zoo

Do you have any Summer Goals or a Bucket List?

Tell us about yours!