we were at a family reunion in Southern Oregon this past weekend. There were many highlights, but the first one was a blast down the Rogue River on one of the “Hellsgate” jetboats. The one we were on had 3(!) 454-V8 engines in it, each powering a single jet. It’s basically a flat-bottom metal (steel or aluminum, not sure which), shallow box with bench seats across – then a raised podium deck at the back for the pilot. Our boat could hold up to 81 people (it was their biggest one, they have several) and it was all but full. Apparently these things can get up to about 55mph on the river – I truly believe that’s likely NOT the top end, but may be the ‘safe’ top end.

So, they get you in there, and you start blasting down the river. Then the guy starts talking up how wet you’re going to get – and then slams on the brakes, which makes the boat all but nosedive into the water and raises a huge wave over the front of the boat. Hence, water. Not unlike getting doused while whitewater rafting, but we weren’t in any rapids (at the first one, anyway). So on you blast down the river, and the guy does 360′s a few times, and alternatively tries to douse the entire boat through a series of maneuvers – none really crazy, all very fun. Then you get to a narrow canyon and the boat idles through that while he talks about your surroundings – the boat then turns around and heads back a short distance to a shore facility where you eat a big dinner – then you zoom back up the river (while your pilot and usually at least one other boat try to alternate at crossing each other’s wake and dousing each others boat from side to side, etc.).

It was great – our clan had about 34 people, the rest of the boat was filled with others – what’s also cool about this is that it’s truly an all-ages activity (unlike whitewater rafting!) where you have fairly old people on there all the way down to kids. And everybody is having a ball.

Besides the blasting around like crazy people, there was a lot of wildlife (several osprey, blue herons, ducks, swans and a bald eagle) around to see, and many people waving from the shore (I’m sure the residents who live along the top part of the journey aren’t near as ‘enthused’ about the jet boats as we were ). There was also a couple risque ‘floor show’ events that I won’t discuss here, but were pretty funny. The food feast was bbq chicken and pork with salad, beer/wine and some basic antipasti. Not fine dining, but definitely did the job.

it was a GREAT way to start the weekend – if you are ever in Grants Pass (or Gold Beach, for the one that comes up the river from there) – don’t miss out!

candybowl

kerewin sent me this today – I am not sure what to think, save that the Four Horsemen have to be galloping around the corner not long from now…

Beef Bacon Hot Dog Turtle

candybowl

It’s no secret Pixar makes great movies. Even their ‘mediocre‘ movies (by Pixar standards) are still a notch above regular theater fare these days. But there are a few that really stand out – both of Brad Bird‘s movies – The Incredibles and Ratatouille, certainly qualify.

Just watched Ratatouille again last night – what an enjoyable movie. The animation is yet again excellent (witness the ‘Remy goes down the sewage pipe on the cookbook’ sequence) – the characters are well-developed, and as per usual, there are a few surprises along the way.

As everyone likely knows by now, Ratatouille is the story of Remy the (country) rat in France who dreams of being a foodie and cook, despite the challenge of (in reality) being a garbage-eating rat. He makes it to Paris by virtue of a local kerfuffle created by himself and his brother Emile, and shortly connects with a poor ‘garbage boy’ simply trying to survive as a janitor in a formerly 4-star restaurant on its downhill slide. The result is a great story, with all the typical Pixar goodness to go with it.

Fave scenes and actors/characters – Peter O’Toole as the kingmaking, snobby food critic Anton Ego; Janeane Garafolo/Colette explaining (through the expert use of BIG knives) how to get ahead as a female French chef; the method used to prep Remy’s rat clan to help in the kitchen; and most of all, when Anton Ego tastes the ratatouille served him (special mention: his review of the food the next morning).

Like all Pixar movies, there are so many little nice touches along the way, it would be tough to list them all (and that’s part of the fun of rewatching them anyway). But one comes to mind, anyway – the ridiculous amount of old Citroen’s and 2CV’s driving around on the streets – I’m sure there are still a lot of them, but like vintage Beetles in the USA – they are getting a lot fewer and far between these days – sad…

One last comment – something I also really like about Pixar is that they aren’t afraid to have true emotion in their movies. The recent Up being a classic example – the montage where Ed Asner’s character’s life is shown in fast-forward review – VERY sad! Or in both Toy Story movies, there are nostalgic looks back via Randy Newman music in the background – again, definitely a human perspective. In Ratatouille, the scene with Remy’s dad showing him WHY humans are a dangerous lot to tangle with – pretty disturbing – but also why these movies are for the whole family, not just kids and not just adults. Well done, guys.

Anyway, watch and enjoy!

candybowl

Love it! Mr. Gyro in greenwood, north Seattle – Love at First Bite, indeed. Mediterranean Kitchen in downtown Bellevue – better bring your appetite (and you’ll still take stuff home!).

And if you are downtown, don’t forget Mr. D’s in the Pike Place Market (actually across the street from the main market building) – excellent Gyros and spanikopita, baklava……[drool]….

candybowl