If ya cant beat em, join em.

I can't remember the last time there was this much snow before Thanksgiving.

Claiming the Street

The Find: Claiming Nelscott Reef - New Trailer for November 18 screening from erich lyttle on Vimeo.

There’s no surf in Portland and the nearest mush burger is a solid hour and forty-five minutes yet surf stoked fans swelled on to NE Broadway last night for the premier of the controversial surf documentary “The Find, Claiming Nellscott” at the Hollywood Theater. I’ve never been to a surf movie in Portland and certainly did not expect the turnout on hand. The line was so long it stretched at least 2 blocks and film crews were there to document the buzz. We waited for about 2 minutes until we gave up and opted for beers and Blazers back up in the hood. The whole scene reminded me of my days as a surfer and going to see Mav’s films at the Red Vic on Haight Street, none I was ever shut out of.

So did anyone get in?

Or anyone remeber J.F's low fi film, "Oregon Green" from the mid 90's? I was actually at the primer for that one in Newport when I lived on the central coast. A film I'd love to get a copy of.

And to complement the surfy theme today, some tunes from the legendary So Cal surf band, The Ziggens.

Welcome to Portland Al

Season of the Gnar

Well it looks to be that time of year again. A short lived autumn has given way to what now looks like winter as we head into the 3rd week of getting pummeled by Pacific frontal systems. Technically it’s still fall right? But winter has sunk its teeth in deep here in the Pacific North West.

Today’s bike commute in was one of the wettest and coldest I can remember in years. Water coming off my fenders like a gushing rain gutter. Sideways rain pelting my face. Cold wind blowing me sideways, with hefty gusts trying to check me into the railing as I crossed the Hawthorne Bridge. Griping my handle bars ultra tightly, trying to not fall over sideways. Getting sprayed by fossil fuel burning commuters in their big SUV’s. Fucking Gnar! But the bike lanes were not empty. Plenty of cyclists were facing the same circumstances I was, which is one of the reasons I like this city. I can really appreciate that type of dedication.

Cascade resorts like Mt Hood Meadows are opening, which is one the earliest starts in their 42 year history. Guess I may have to bust out the old snow blades, my neon all print onesi, and go wait in lift lines. It’s also hair farming season. And in the pubs black thick strong winter ales pour from the taps and drinking often starts at lunch. Even blacker and stronger coffee is mass consumed to keep alert and awake on these dark charcoal grey days.

And last but not least the music. Pelican couldn’t have released their new album at a better time. Crunching, melodic, stoner metal jams will be the sound track for my gnar season. And even more appropriately “What We All Come To Need” was recorded in Seattle, a great album from my listens so far.

So have a good weekend and batten down the hatches because we could be in for a long gnar season at this rate.

Skunked

A good place to get skunked & some of the best beer on tap right now.

I have to admit while watching the Ducks get their ass handed to them by Stanford under clear sunny blue skies, I could only imagine what some of those points and reefs just west were doing with the maxed out swell locally.

Not....

.......but better than getting vibed on your B-Day.