Beer Fact # 38

 

Beer Fact # 38

"As of 2017, California had by far the most breweries in the United States, with 1,106. Washington is a distant second with 499."

I can't find any current numbers because places now pop up and close down too quickly.  All I know it that both of these states have wonderful breweries and I think I have been to many breweries in both of these states but I see that I have many more to visit.

The Puffins

Puffins

July 5, 2023

Machias Seal Island

Canada

I made the reservation for this trip on January 17, 2023, at 9AM sharp.  That was the first moment to get on line and reserve a spot.  And within 45 minutes, every spot for the summer is taken. I secured two tickets for a friend and me for July 5. And I was so damn excited.  I have wanted to see these elusive birds for years now.  I went to Bar Harbor, Maine and took a local cruise about 15 years ago.  All I saw from this option was a bird or two in flight. I don't think I could even distinguish any features of the birds. But on this trip, I was going to get up close and personal with these magical birds. And on January 17, when i made the reservation,  July 5 seemed like it would take a lifetime to get there.

But July 5th did finally arrive and the day was magical.  We were up and on our way to the harbor by 7 AM on this foggy, foggy morning and we boarded a ferry boat to take us just a few yards out to our awaiting 30' fishing boat.  There were 15 of us and we were all giddy with excitement. The captain told us that we had about an hour's ride out to the island. And off we went in to the dense fog.  Upon arrival, we had to be ferried to the dock and we were given a pole to hold over our heads.  Apparently, terns had just laid their eggs and they were aggressively protecting their nests.  They charge at the tallest objects on the dock.  And so these poles kept us safe from the protective birds.

We were assigned 4 people to a wooden blind box.  It was crowded in there and we were on top of one another.  But none of us seemed to care.  We were just so happy to be here.  And outside of the boxes were hundreds and hundreds of puffins, hopping around, complexity obvious to us. They were magnificent.  I could have watched them all day.  But we only had an hour in the blind and the time seemed to pass as if it was only five minutes. I dint want to leave.

 

Road Trip 2023 #11

Road trip 2023 #11

Larchmont, NY

Kelly Family Christmas In July Party

July 23m 2023

My damn hotel cost $345 for one fucking night.

Kathy hosted the party for the first time.  Usually Sharon or Patricia hosts the party.

In a silly, sentimental moment, I agreed to host the party next year and I think it is too late to get out of it.

Brielle, Quentin's new wife, went out of her way to make the day special for all of us. She had all of us tie-dye a shirt with the name and year of the event on the shirt.  I am not going to do that next yer.

Even though we had a big crowd, 15 of us were still missing.  I hope we can have a bigger crowd next year.

In addition to entertaining us on Saturday, we all went back on Sunday for a quick brunch.

We used to have this party during the week of Christmas and New Year's.  But two years ago, we moved it to July because of COVID.  This time of year allows us to be outside for the event.

There was a cookie baking contest.  I thought most of us would not participate.  But most people did bring cookies.  I did not.

Kathy had the boys help her decorate the house with Christmas decorations.  I am not going to be doing that next year.

GiGi, the three year old, discovered that she got a lot of laughs when she dunked her head in to the beer bucket.  Her uncles tried to discourage her form doing this.  I tried to encourage her.

Road trip 2023 #10

Road Trip 2023 #10

Utah and Colorado

With KT

July 11- 18, 2023

I think  this is my 15th trip to Colorado.

We visited five breweries: Oscar Blues, Horse Fly Brewery, Stodgy Brewery, Snow Band Brewery and Odell Brewery.

Clay is living in Denver at the moment. So we had a nice visit with him.

I think Utah is becoming my favorite state.  I've been here twice before and I  still have places I want to visit there.

Clay, KT and I visited the Olympic Museum and I loved it. It's interactive and filled with memorabilia from all of the competition.s 

We got to Canyonland National Park and I think we were the only ones in th park. It took us two days to see all that we wanted to see.

We drove through Miguel Is Lat National Forest.  It was beautiful.

I wanted to spend a few days in Moab.  I had been there almost 20 years ago.  But as we pulled in to town, I was greatly disappointed in how commercial it had gotten over the last decade or so.  And the hotel rooms were $300- $700 so I quickly lost interest in this little town.

We spent one night at the Rio Gande Cottages along the Colorado River.  The miscutios were the size of flies.

On Saturday night, all of the Nicoellas met up with us at Oscar Blues Brewery. I've been to this brewery twice before and they have always had a large variety of beers.  But tonight, they only had five offerings.  They aren't brewing the way they used t brew.

You Are The Moon

Facebook Message to and from my former student

 8/30/21, 6:48 PM

You sent

Grandma's Secret Recipes

Join Group

8/30/21, 9:04 PM

Kelly

Awww. I love that.

Kelly

And that is what you told me. And I believe it changed my life.

Kelly

Thank you Dr. Kelly

8/30/21, 11:05 PM

You sent

I thought of you immediately when I read this quote. You are the moon Dr Kemmerer!!! I’m proud of you.

8/31/21, 11:28 AM

Kelly

Thank you Dr. Kelly