Hops Fest 2014

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: my favorite part of fall is the beer. I love pumpkin beer, of course, but I also really love fresh hop beer. Every year Hood River, Oregon, hosts a fresh hop beer festival called Hops Fest. I’ve been the last 3 or 4 years in a row and it’s always a blast. It was really nice this year (last year it rained, a lot, boo) which made the whole thing that much more magical. I drove down to Hood River on Saturday morning after a Friday evening spent Zumba-ing then eating a Dustin made quesadilla while watching Revenge of the Nerds for the first time, which, so good! On my way I pit stopped in Portland to grab a cold brewed ice coffee from Marissa so that I would have plenty of energy for my day drinking and then headed straight for the homeland. When I got to Hood River I met Beth and her coworkers Amy and Jessica for some Mexican food before Beth and I headed down town to Hops Fest.

I often feel like the prettiest, most popular princess when I’m in White Salmon/Hood River. I think it’s mostly because I know so many people there and they all always seem legitimately excited to see me. The feeling is definitely mutual. #iloveitthere

One of the first people I ran into at Hops Fest was my first ever boyfriend, Colby. We “dated” in 6th grade after he asked my friend to ask me out. Obviously I said yes. So much romance! Things didn’t last long and we ended up breaking up on the playground before we got the chance to so much as hold hands. Good times. Anyway, I ran into Colby and he proceeded to tell me that it looked like I was wearing a MuuMuu. Whatever, Colby. Sweet Overalls. We decided we were #obvi the best dressed at Hops Fest and took a picture!! 

^^Colby and I = Best Dressed at Hops Fest^^
^^Also, men may hate my dress but I can assure you it’s actually pretty amazing (and kind of warm without being hot) and I got a ton of compliments from girls on it. You can find it HERE if you’re interested! But definitely size down AT LEAST one size^^

I was also spotted by my mom’s childhood best friend, Renee. We took this picture to text to my mom:

I’m definitely not going to pretend like I wasn’t “that girl” on Saturday who was constantly asking everyone to “take our picture, pleaseeee?!”

Whatever, totally worth it.

At Hops Fest you pay a fee to get in and upon entry you get a plastic tasting mug and some tokens. One token gets you a taste of the beer, 4 gets you a full mug. I’m usually a big fan of doing the 1 token thing that way I can taste more delicious brews. However, near the end, I kept giving people I knew one token and would magically receive a full beer. I mean, I’m not complaining but also that was a lot of beers.

Also, you guys, the WORST thing happened to me. I was using the portapotty at the event and I sat my beer on top of the toilette paper holder and mid-pee it FELL ONTO THE GROUND. The little bit of beer in my cup got all over my booties and MY CUP WAS ALL OVER THE PORTAPOTTY GROUND! OMG. I had to go beg the event staff for a new cup, luckily they were pretty nice about it and switched the nasty cup for a clean one.

Anyway, day drinking, fun times, friends, we got drunk. Case in point these pictures from right before we left the beer garden:

^^Beth and Dana falling on the ground^^

  ^^Beth and I are so excited to see Dana!^^

Hops Fest ended around 9pm and then Beth and I decided it would be a really great/super fun/not at all terrible idea to go bar hopping on an empty stomach, because obviously we hadn’t already had enough to drink… We were so busy drinking that we forgot to eat dinner too. Bad news bears. We went to the pub to meet our friend Josh who just got off work and then we ended up at Jack’s. Oh man.

The next day I hung out at my parents’ house, snuggled with my Fluffy cat, picked a million tomatoes, apples, plumbs, and corn from their garden and visited with my Grandpa (or grandma’s second husband) before I headed back to Seattle. Obviously I had a blast this weekend despite having a little too much to drink. Maybe I was just exercising my liver for Vegas this weekend? Ha. Kidding guys. I know alcohol is dangerous and bad, plz don’t judge or lecture me! I don’t drink like that often. But yes, Hops Fest is my favorite and I can’t wait to go again next year!! Totally worth the drive!

Beth's Going Away Weekend

On Monday my Beth-Friend moved from Hood River to Boise, which made me sadder than it probably should have. Of course we had to spend the weekend before sending her off in style and giving her a few more amazing Hood River memories.

Friday night our friends Tonya and Launa hosted a going-away-Luau complete with Teriyaki Bowls, a living room dance party, lots of photos, a Tiki Bar, and a best-dressed contest (which Tall Paul, below, won).

^^Marissa and I^^ 

^^Tall Paul and Marissa^^

 

^^Maybe the most awkward picture of Me, Marissa and Beth ever ^^ Most of the pictures from the night aren't with me so this is the best it's going to get right now, you're welcome^^

 

Saturday I went to my parents' house to surprise my dad for his birthday. While I was there I spent some time spooning with my Fluffy cat, dreaming of the commune and visiting the kittens.  

 

^^Fluffy and I spooning #preciousmoments^^ 

^^My dad making the biggest kitten wave at the camera^^

 

After my visit I put on my rain jacket and boots and headed to Hood River Hops Fest. I've gone the past three years and every year it's completely amazing. If you've never tried fresh hopped beer, you should do so immediately. It's delicious.

 

 

It rained most of the day while we were at Hops Fest, but they had tents set up and we mentally prepared ourselves for the weather so we still had a great time.

 

^^Sarah, Launa and myself^^

 

When Hops Fest was over we headed up the street to the Pub to dry off, regroup and (of course) have another beer. Beth and I spent the rest of the night dance partying. First we stopped at this amazing office dance party downtown Hood River, complete with a DJ, free beer, the fact that it was new and different and a bunch of friends. After the DJ ended his set we walked down to Jack's to end the night in style. We danced until the lights came on and then I took myself to Josh and Sarah's and crashed on their couch.

 

The next morning I had breakfast with Josh and Sarah after waiting forever in line because of course everywhere in town was packed, but it was totally worth it because it gave us ample time to discuss the previous day/night's events. After breakfast I went to Beth's to help her pack some of her stuff before saying goodbye and heading back to Seattle in a crazy rain/wind storm. I'm so sad that Beth won't be in Hood River anymore when I go back to visit and also sad that she's a whole 7 hours away from me now, but I do love Boise, and this gives me an excuse to fly down and visit all the time! 

This Weekend via Instagram

This weekend was busy, and when it ended I was more tired than when it started. I spent all day Friday doing work at school for my clinic. Talk about time suckage. I did manage to go on a mini-date with Dustin to Bastille in Ballard. I’ve been wanting to go there for a long time now. Had I not been suffering one of the worst stomach aches of my life (no exaggeration, I almost cried in the restaurant), I think I would have enjoyed it much more. I had the Croque Monsieur, and they gave us pom frites to share. And also we got baguette and Dustin had muscles and I had wine too. Looking back I’m sure that dinner just made my stomach ache worse. I shouldn’t eat bread. Or cheese. Or french fries. But the restaurant was super romantic and awesome and other than my pain I liked it. Dates with Dustin are the best.

Early Saturday morning I woke up and drove down to Portland for my cousin Katie’s baby shower. I got there 2 hours early (thanks mom for telling me the wrong time) and then killed two hours in Gresham. Part of it I spent laying in my car because my stomach STILL hurt. So then I took this picture so that you could know how I was feeling, and because I am the epitome of cool:

Katie and Tot (that’s what I call him) got a ton of cute stuff at the shower. He’s spoiled already. I love it! I can’t wait to meet my littlest cousin (and also, I’m pretty sure he’s going to be born on my birthday!! his due date is only 3 days after, c’mon Tot!).

Also, doesn’t this onesie crack you up? Ha!

After the shower I drove back to Hood River for Hops Fest. I drank many samples of fresh hop beerz with my friends, and it was good. And did I mention that I definitely wasn’t doing homework while I was drinking? Because I wasn’t. And I didn’t even feel that bad about it. Also I was super jeal of Beth’s amazing outfit (stripes, boots, pleated maxi dress? yes please)!

Then hops fest ended at 9pm with some Tony Smiley and me rushing and pushing my way to the front of the crowd for one last dancy song.

Next we went to the Pub (obvious choice). And I found Marissa! YAY! Finally! I had missed her at Hops Fest because she was moving. I don’t want to talk about it. Any of it. (ha, so dramatic):

 
After that we just had a standard night out in Hood River.

The next morning I spent some quality time with my favorite kitty (Fluffy Face). He tried to drink from my glass (after I snuck him into our house). So silly.
 

Then I drove back to Seattle on Sunday. Yesterday I suppose it was. And now I’m so so tired. I need a day to recover from my weekend, I think.

But then, in the midst of my tiredness this morning, I found this little buddy on my walkway, and I liked it:

Now I’m making venison stew. Nom nom. Hello Fall. Hello busy busy week filled with stew for every meal? Probably. Oh the life of a law student…