National Title on the Line for the Oregon Ducks

I have to admit, I have been caught up in all the fun connected to the Oregon Ducks. I have gone to three of their games this year, Stanford, UCLA, and the Oregon State Game, and I was not disappointed.  I watched the I Love My Ducks Video over and over again.  I even put my own video together, Hans and Rick Go to the Game of Games. Of course that was the Ducks Beaver Game, and now they will play the game of games for the National Title.  There are many awesome web sights put up by fans that I have been following. One of my favorites has been Addicted to Quack.  As an Oregonian I am not ashamed to admit I have gotten a little bit "Ducky."  The worst of it has to do with the fact that in looking for Duck Gear to wear during the game I put together my own Amazon Store, Oregon Duck Gear.  Yes it is a bit crazy.  I have not really let myself watch a lot of football over the last few years, instead heading to soccer games of my kids, but they are grown and I have my weekends back.  I must say, I am not the only crazy Duck Fan as you can see in this Google Image Search of Duck Fans. As the countdown to game day continues  I assume that it will continue to get a little crazier around here.  Until then, check out the links, by some Duck Gear, and if you feel so inclined, send me your extra BCS tickets.  I just might be able to put them to use.

Portlandia: Finally a Show About the Place I Love

We have finally arrived. Portland will soon have a tv show about itself. Up till now we have had a tv series filmed here that pretends to be in Boston. Yep Leverage while filmed here doesn't give us Portlanders the credit we deserve. But all things are about to change as we get a series. Take a look at the video found on the link. It looks like it will be good.
Portlandia: Portland Dream of the '90s - Portlandia - Series - On Air - IFC.com

Gift Ideas for those Who Love the Oregon Coast

I'm getting excited for Christmas, but not for the reason many of you may think. Its not the presents, or the food, or the music. It has to do with the fact that the after all the commercialism of Christmas we are heading to the Oregon Coast. Our family loves the coast and my wife took a chance and rented our favorite house for three nights. A get away between Holidays. As I was on twitter today I came across this idea for a Christmas Gift, Oregon Coast Gift Certificates. Someone else is thinking the way I do. You only know how great the Oregon Coast is if you've had a chance to go. You can send my gift certificate anytime.

BeachConnection.Net- Give the Gift of the Beach: Oregon Coast Gift Certificates

Judge makes burglar help fan buy new Oregon Ducks Jersey - OregonLivecom

How can you fault someone who steals an Oregon Ducks football jersey. Apparently in Oregon you can't. Rather than get thrown in jail for breaking in and stealing, a judge makes a burglar by a new jersey to replace the one he took. The real crime apparently wasn't the theft, but that the thief threw the Jersey away. Check out the story in the link below

Oregon Ducks fan zone: Judge makes burglar help fan buy new jersey - OregonLivecom

Oregon will allow students to use spell check on state writing tests in 2011 | OregonLive.com

Got to love Oregon. Always on the cutting edge, Oregon is now allowing students to use spell checker on state writing tests. I wonder what kind of grades I would have gotten if spell checker was around when I was in school. What is coming next? I would have loved to use a computer on my algebra tests, been allowed to use Google on geography tests, and I am sure each of you have an idea or two. Take a look at the Article from Oregon Live. Oregon will allow students to use spell check on state writing tests in 2011 | OregonLive.com

University of Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers

Yesterday I had the fun of going to the Civil War game.  We were there from the ESPN Game Day Coverage, until after the game ended.  If your a Duck fan it went your way and next stop is a shot at the National Title.  If your a Beaver Believer, next year will be here soon enough.  This video will let you see what it was like.  Enjoy!

Orgeon Ducks versus Oregon State Beavers - My Lucky Day

If you live in Oregon you know that the biggest day of the year isn't a holiday, its not someones birthday, it has nothing to do with politics or religion.  The biggest day has to do with college football, and a rivalry that divides the state, has the potential to ruin friendships, and might even have ruined a few careers.  The Civil War Game between the University of Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers ranks as the most important day of the year to all Oregonians and no doubt will have all those who can't get a ticket glued to their TVs.

I will not be tuning in this year.  While i have a great flat screen TV, it won't be full of Orange and Green. No, this year I will be getting up early and heading to Corvallis,the sight of the Civil War.  It seems last night a friend of mine found himself with an extra ticket, and thought of me.  You might say, I am one of the luckiest guys around.  Tomorrow I will make the pilgrimage along with others who are fortunate enough to have a ticket.  While I may have a seat I no doubt will be standing the entire time.  This game is big. 

I did not go to Oregon State or the UofO, but if you live in Oregon you can't help but get caught up in the fun.  I have thrown my hat in with the Oregon Ducks. There is something about an offense that can score three touchdowns in less than 5 minutes, that hold teams to seven points in the fourth quarter.  I love the passing game, and can't sit down after a long explosive run.  That is Oregon football.  Oregon State is equally fun to watch and if I liked the color orange I could just have easily been a Beaver fan.  Regardless, I have been bitten by the bug.  I am caught up in the rivalry, and I am on my way to the game first thing in the morning.  If you are one of the lucky ones I will see you at the game.  If not, i'll be cheering with you.

A Great Hike Near Portland - Dog Mountain Trail

One of the great things about living in the Portland area is the shear number of things to do outdoors.  Even in the rain you find people out biking, boating, walking, playing soccer, and just out enjoying nature.  As I have become more and more of an Oregonian, I find myself enjoying hiking in the nearby mountains.  One of the recent hikes was about an hour out of Portland on the Washington side of the Gorge.  On a sunny day with threatening clouds we took off to Dog Mountain.  To get there we simply headed east on the 84 to the Bridge of the Gods, and cut across to the Washington side and continued east on Hwy 14. About 12 miles up the road you come to mile marker 53 and you should see the trail head on your right.  You can head up either of two trails. Both are strenuous hikes, and round trip is about 7 miles.  Before you look for something easier like Multnomah Falls, you need to realize that this hike allows for incredible views of the Gorge, incredible forest, and plenty of plants waiting to have their pictures taken.  On the day we went up we started with sunshine and clouds.  As we climbed, we realized the clouds were starting to drop.  We continued on as the wind picked up and the temperatures dropped.  The following pictures are from our outing to Dog Mountain.  It is a must hike if you are in Oregon.  All of the views are looking back to the Oregon side of the Columbia River.  Enjoy the hike and let me know what you think.

More of the Oregon Coast - Oceanside

I grew up in California going to Newport Beach, Huntington, and San Clemente. In all my time there i never was captured by the beauty of the coast the way I have been in Oregon. From Haystacks to hidden coves, storms to sunny skies. Each time I go it looks a little different. Over a year ago I started to take pictures so that I would not forget. Now I turn them into postcards for others to enjoy. I hope you like it.

Oceanside,Oregon by onemansbattle
postcard printing using Zazzle

From the Oregon Coast - Garibaldi

While driving through Oregon, I came upon this little harbor in Garibaldi. I turned the picture into a postcard.  If you like it, click on the link, otherwise just enjoy.

The Oregon Coast by onemansbattle
See other Post Postcards

Duck Fever - Craziness or to be Expected

I have felt strange lately.  I have noticed and increase in my heart rate, a growing attraction to the color green, I can't sleep until I watch sports center.  Next to game day, the most important day of the week is Monday, when the BCS rankings come out.  I've got it, and I've got it bad.  I have Duck Fever, Oregon Duck Fever.  For years I have taken great pride in not being a Duck or a Beaver.  I didn't have to get caught up in the meaningless rivalry between small animals.  Then I was invited to a Duck game.  Not just any game, but the Stanford game.  It was huge.  The stadium was at capacity, the game was electric, and I went home changed.  Two weeks later I was back at the UCLA game.  I grew up in LA.  UCLA was my team, and here I was cheering for the men in Green, quacking loudly, yelling a

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t the refs, and high fiveing people I did not know.  I loved it.  I came home and watched a rebroadcast.  The next week I was in front of the TV.  How strange.  I own a ducks t-shirt now.  I don't even have a shirt from my own school.

Obviously, the Ducks are ranked number one in the nation.  Yes they are undefeated, but more than that they are playing the most exciting and fun football to watch.  You can't leave your seat for fear you'll miss a touchdown or two or three, before you get back.  With all the excitement, people all over Oregon are catching the fever.  It is part of living in Oregon.  One more big game, the civil war, and then off to the National Title game.  You have to come to Oregon to understand what is going on here.  I got caught by the bug - duck.  Now like almost every other Oregonian, I am quacking.

Why a Blog On Oregon?

Way back in the late 70's my family took a trip up the Pacific Coast.  Having always been a California Kid, I was amazed as the sandy beaches that I knew gave way to rocky coastline, haystack rocks, pine trees, and mountains (small as they might be) flowing into the ocean.  I was also struck by the rain.  Sometimes a drizzle, sometimes a downpour.  Rarely with thunder and lightening.  The trip was quick but the impression was lasting.  In the late 90's, a job moved my new family, my wife and four kids, to Portland.  We came on the heals of 185 days of straight rain.  We were moving from Salt Lake City, where the sun came out everyday, to a place where the sun had not been seen for 1/3 of a year.  After getting over the inital shock of our move, we began to venture out.  To the coast, to the mountains, to the Gorge.  We quickly came to love our new surroundings.

Oregon is more than rain, more than Portland.  It is a place of unique people, who ride bikes to work, name their colleges after little animals, and never let the rain stop them (while the hint of snow can bring the State to a stand still).  I will share my favorite pictures, favorite places, and favorite things, that I have come across.  This Blog is about all things Oregon