Hitchin and job huntin

Last week Ryan and I hitched a ride down to the Oregon Badlands, where we hiked in a few miles, set up camp, and spent the rest of the day climbing at Flatiron Rock. Beautiful country. Really something entirely new to me.

Interviewed at Whole Foods yesterday. Went well. And tomorrow I'm catchin an early bus up to Prineville to apply for a wildland firefighting gig.

Oh yeah, so I wore my Snowville "Grass Grazed Revolution" t-shirt to the coffeehouse this morning, and a guy commented on it. Struck up a conversation about raw milk and he said he's part of a locavore coop type place getting off the ground. Could be fun!

coffeecoffeecoffee

Making the rounds of coffee shops in town.

Backporch Coffee Roaster is just two blocks away, and plays excellent music. Fleet Foxes' self titled played through a couple of days ago, Andrew Bird's latest, and today, a few minutes of experimental feedback.
While I sat enjoying a cup, a barrista walked over and asked if I would like the leftovers of a pour over he was just about to make. Uh yea, OK.

Simply Organic is, I've heard, the oldest and most established roaster in the area. Good Joe, quick internet, nice picture windows looking out onto a main street in town (guy on a Segway). The cashier is new to town from California and comped my cup after I told her it was my first time.

The Looney Bean has a great, parklike backyard, which butts up to the Deschuttes. Best place to kick back for a sip-and-read that I've found yet.

And now, I'm sitting at Lone Pine Coffee Roasters. It's been recommended to me by people all over town, but I had one heck of a time finding the damned place in a hidden alleyway and nondescript "COFFEE" sign. Poetry, praising the "perfumes of Araby" is painted on the wall behind the counter. They specialize in lighter roasts, up to a city-plus. Made me a pour over with their "Tin Pan Alley" roast. MMMMMmmmmm. Earthy notes at the finish. My favorite.

A few more to go, but no more today. No mas. Too much.
Come for a visit and I'll take you on a caffeine crawl.

~~~~~~~~~~hands are shaking~~~~~~~~~~~

Quickie Update

Let's see... We got an apartment, bicycles, found good (read: strong and freshly roasted) coffee nearby, library card. I went for a nice ride around town, maybe a bit shy of ten miles. Walked to the top of Pilot Butte -- where I'll surely bring my camera in the near future, if not today.

Still impressed by how friendly everyone is in this town. I half expected that, with such a large population growth over the last decade, some people might be weary of newcomers. But questions for directions, bars, and food are all met with enthusiasm over their great town.

Interested to see if there's much change in the town's personality once the summer tourism rush starts.