Alex and I went up the hill to sample a little fresh snow, making this the second Father/Son ski trip of the 2009/10 season. Alex got day 3 and I recorded day 9.
After just a 4 day break from skiing, my legs were already too soft to keep up with Alex and since I refuse to resort to those mundane parallel turns, the tele turns quickly transformed my quads to burning, throbbing lumps. It's those long runs from the top of Grandview down to the West Bowl quad that do it to me. Carving huge tele turns down Beaver chasing Alex on run number 5 is what did it to me.
Anyway, we split up so he could tear it up while I work on my tele turns at a nice moderate pace. (read: stop every 3 runs for a beer) So after a full day we drove back down the hill thinking about our next ski day.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Happy Holidays from the Haarmeyers
We hope you all have had a pleasant holiday season and will have a great new year.
Alex and Craig skied a few days in Tahoe, spent a few days at the winery working a bit to button things up before getting down to the business of Xmas. The girls did much baking, including chocolate cookies, a white cake and butter rolls for Xmas dinner and Cinnamon buns for the day after. Grandma came down to help with the cookies and we exchanged some gifts and then we went ice skating on Xmas eve and had dinner at the Rubicon (where else?!) to celebrate Marian's 14th birthday and we ended up at Joe and Gina's for some port wine, naturally.
Xmas day dinner we had the folks over for a Beef tenderloin dinner with roasted potatoes, green bean casserole and beet salad with bleu cheese and a bottle of Barbara. We all had fun sitting by the fire and exchanging more gifts and conversation.
Cheers!
Alex and Craig skied a few days in Tahoe, spent a few days at the winery working a bit to button things up before getting down to the business of Xmas. The girls did much baking, including chocolate cookies, a white cake and butter rolls for Xmas dinner and Cinnamon buns for the day after. Grandma came down to help with the cookies and we exchanged some gifts and then we went ice skating on Xmas eve and had dinner at the Rubicon (where else?!) to celebrate Marian's 14th birthday and we ended up at Joe and Gina's for some port wine, naturally.
Xmas day dinner we had the folks over for a Beef tenderloin dinner with roasted potatoes, green bean casserole and beet salad with bleu cheese and a bottle of Barbara. We all had fun sitting by the fire and exchanging more gifts and conversation.
Cheers!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
St. Rey Vintage Port Is Here!
I am pleased to announce, somewhat late, that my first commercial wine is in bottle and available for sale at the Revolution Wines tasting room. I think it is pretty darned good regardless of it's age and as I keep saying to folks, if you lay a bottle or two down for 8 years you will have Vintage port......single quinta Vintage Port.
So, come by the winery (2116 P Street, Sacramento) and give it a try. It's an orgy of fruit flavor; figs, plums, raisins and blue berries with a rich, viscous, smokey mid-palette and a soft Brandy finish. It's fruit salad and wine in a glass. Did I just say that?
So, come by the winery (2116 P Street, Sacramento) and give it a try. It's an orgy of fruit flavor; figs, plums, raisins and blue berries with a rich, viscous, smokey mid-palette and a soft Brandy finish. It's fruit salad and wine in a glass. Did I just say that?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
St. Rey 2008 Single Quinta Port Front Label
Well this is it. The first label for my first production wine. It's been a long time since Micah Charlot got me started brewing beer in my early twenties and although the brewing has been on hiatus for over 5 years this little traditional style port wine represents the pinnacle of my efforts to produce high quality, commercial alcoholic beverages.
For those of you who do not know, the longish story is that I have been enjoying wine since before I was of legal drinking age and I got a late start in wine making because I was always intimidated by the process. So, brewing is what I did. I like beer, too, so that had something to do with it but it was not until 2007 when I started helping out at Revolution that realized I might actually make my own wine.
I wanted to make something that was not being made at the winery and deciding on Port was easy. I love Port Wine and I love the idea of making small lot, hand crafted wine that can be hand sold to a local market. So I hatched the idea of starting a the Port Wine program at Revolution and Joe and Gina were very receptive to the idea, being Port lovers themselves.
In 2008, with the help of friends and family, the generosity of several others, including experts in port wine making I was able to make my first real wine.
We are holding back a few barrels for future projects, such as Tawney Port and/or a Vintage Port but the majority of it (4 barrels) will be bottled up and released as a young port called simply "Ruby" with the year stated on the label since it is of a single vintage and the description of "Single Quinta" since the grapes were all from a single vineyard, that of Mr. Ron Silva in Galt, CA.
We will only have about 100 cases, so get it while it lasts and I would recommend buying at least a couple bottles. One or two to enjoy now and one to lay down for 8 or 10 years. After an extended time in bottle you will have a Vintage Port.
The release party is on November 12 at Revolution Wines, 2116 "P" Street in Sacramento and I hope you can all be there to help me celebrate!
Also, I need several volunteers to help out with bottling the weekend before the party. Get a hold of me if you want to be a part of the project.
A nossa!
For those of you who do not know, the longish story is that I have been enjoying wine since before I was of legal drinking age and I got a late start in wine making because I was always intimidated by the process. So, brewing is what I did. I like beer, too, so that had something to do with it but it was not until 2007 when I started helping out at Revolution that realized I might actually make my own wine.
I wanted to make something that was not being made at the winery and deciding on Port was easy. I love Port Wine and I love the idea of making small lot, hand crafted wine that can be hand sold to a local market. So I hatched the idea of starting a the Port Wine program at Revolution and Joe and Gina were very receptive to the idea, being Port lovers themselves.
In 2008, with the help of friends and family, the generosity of several others, including experts in port wine making I was able to make my first real wine.
We are holding back a few barrels for future projects, such as Tawney Port and/or a Vintage Port but the majority of it (4 barrels) will be bottled up and released as a young port called simply "Ruby" with the year stated on the label since it is of a single vintage and the description of "Single Quinta" since the grapes were all from a single vineyard, that of Mr. Ron Silva in Galt, CA.
We will only have about 100 cases, so get it while it lasts and I would recommend buying at least a couple bottles. One or two to enjoy now and one to lay down for 8 or 10 years. After an extended time in bottle you will have a Vintage Port.
The release party is on November 12 at Revolution Wines, 2116 "P" Street in Sacramento and I hope you can all be there to help me celebrate!
Also, I need several volunteers to help out with bottling the weekend before the party. Get a hold of me if you want to be a part of the project.
A nossa!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Waiting for Ullr
Waiting. Waiting patiently. Waiting not so patiently. I have been dreaming about skiing almost every night for the past several weeks and in each dream I am rock/dirt skiing. So even my dreams have not seen enough snow to ski on. Perhaps I need to sleep at a higher elevation or with my feet sticking out of the covers.
In any case my ski shop is open for business. If anyone wants a tune just drop by in the evenings after 7 or 8 and I'll tune 'em while you wait. My fee is 3 beers per ski, by the way.
In any case my ski shop is open for business. If anyone wants a tune just drop by in the evenings after 7 or 8 and I'll tune 'em while you wait. My fee is 3 beers per ski, by the way.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Marian is 13 but still a good kid
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Originally uploaded by craighaarmeyer
Go Marian! Go Boca!
Friday, August 21, 2009
St. Rey in the Islands
Hello, all!
Let it be known that Rey, Kelly and Marian had another great visit to Kauai'.
The Tropical storm Felicia threatened to bother our plans but after a few words with the Gods she was down graded to a Tropical Depression. None the less, the day of our arrival was gray and wet. Nothing too bad to ground the planes but 6 inches of rain is nothing to sniff at. We drove the Jeep to the North Shore, unloaded our shit and headed straight for the Tahiti Nui (aka Tehui Nui ;) for Mai Tais and pizza. Christian, the owner was there to greet us and recognize our status as Region IV ODP VIPs.
Marian was not pleased with the heat and humidity but after we woke the next morning Kelly and I enjoyed the climate and had a nice run to the Haena state Park as the storm cleared a bit. Unable to ford the stream that crosses the highway just before the dry cave (due to high run-off) we headed back and retreated to the beach for some swimming and a little sun. Then it was off to Tahiti Nui again for Thursday night live Hawaiian music. More pizza and smoked pork ribs and the dinner was even comped by some kind stranger!
Friday we ran in the morning again. This time up to Waineha Market but they were closed, so afterwords we drove into town to get dinner makings and sun tan lotion. Then we all proceeded to get over cooked by the tropical sun but not before swimming with several sea turtles. I think I BBQed beef short ribs that night but I will need to see the camera footage to verify as I was quite plowed in by an army of rum drinks.
Aside from running too hard Saturday morning and getting a stress fracture to one of my right metatarsals I remember nothing. Must have been a good day....more time at the beach, I can assure you!
Sunday was a "down day", meaning that there was no running or driving or planning. It was a beach day and we ended it with another dinner at Tahiti Nui. This time Marian had the ribs (huge rack), Kelly had a huge plate of scallops and I had a giant rib-eye with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. What? Is this the island or Long Island?
Monday was my birthday (44th) and we spent it doing something I love: Hiking! Yeah! It would have been a forced march for Marian and Kelly but our friends from Oakland were there to join us and we had a great time hiking and talking and getting to know each other better. Eating, climbing and taking photos and so on (and watching frogs git-it-on). We followed that up by swimming and snorkeling together at our home beach, Tunnels, and then me and my ladies went to dinner. Great cocktails and wine, food and port and dessert.
Tuesday was our last day and the last day usually depresses me but this time we did so many fun things that it was a perfect ending. We shopped in town, had a burger at Bubba's, went to the beach again where the weather was perfect....lots of turtles and beautiful distant storm clouds....my beautiful girls, cooling but humid breezes and the stunning Na Pali. Then we went back to, yes, the Tahiti Nui for more Mai Tais and a large ham, pineapple and jalapeno pizza. On the way back we played a little game of pick-up soccer with a family from New York on the wonderful fields there in Hanalei. That night the stars came out and we pondered the meaning (absurdity) of existence before going to bed for a quiet and restful sleep. By our last day Marian was wishing that the moist air and constant temp were going to last us all the way to California. All I can say is, "Sorry, sweet hart. Get used to the dry heat!"
I hope you all can make it to Kauai' with us sometime because if you don't I will force you to ski with me in a blizzard. The choice is yours.
Mahalo!
Let it be known that Rey, Kelly and Marian had another great visit to Kauai'.
The Tropical storm Felicia threatened to bother our plans but after a few words with the Gods she was down graded to a Tropical Depression. None the less, the day of our arrival was gray and wet. Nothing too bad to ground the planes but 6 inches of rain is nothing to sniff at. We drove the Jeep to the North Shore, unloaded our shit and headed straight for the Tahiti Nui (aka Tehui Nui ;) for Mai Tais and pizza. Christian, the owner was there to greet us and recognize our status as Region IV ODP VIPs.
Marian was not pleased with the heat and humidity but after we woke the next morning Kelly and I enjoyed the climate and had a nice run to the Haena state Park as the storm cleared a bit. Unable to ford the stream that crosses the highway just before the dry cave (due to high run-off) we headed back and retreated to the beach for some swimming and a little sun. Then it was off to Tahiti Nui again for Thursday night live Hawaiian music. More pizza and smoked pork ribs and the dinner was even comped by some kind stranger!
Friday we ran in the morning again. This time up to Waineha Market but they were closed, so afterwords we drove into town to get dinner makings and sun tan lotion. Then we all proceeded to get over cooked by the tropical sun but not before swimming with several sea turtles. I think I BBQed beef short ribs that night but I will need to see the camera footage to verify as I was quite plowed in by an army of rum drinks.
Aside from running too hard Saturday morning and getting a stress fracture to one of my right metatarsals I remember nothing. Must have been a good day....more time at the beach, I can assure you!
Sunday was a "down day", meaning that there was no running or driving or planning. It was a beach day and we ended it with another dinner at Tahiti Nui. This time Marian had the ribs (huge rack), Kelly had a huge plate of scallops and I had a giant rib-eye with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. What? Is this the island or Long Island?
Monday was my birthday (44th) and we spent it doing something I love: Hiking! Yeah! It would have been a forced march for Marian and Kelly but our friends from Oakland were there to join us and we had a great time hiking and talking and getting to know each other better. Eating, climbing and taking photos and so on (and watching frogs git-it-on). We followed that up by swimming and snorkeling together at our home beach, Tunnels, and then me and my ladies went to dinner. Great cocktails and wine, food and port and dessert.
Tuesday was our last day and the last day usually depresses me but this time we did so many fun things that it was a perfect ending. We shopped in town, had a burger at Bubba's, went to the beach again where the weather was perfect....lots of turtles and beautiful distant storm clouds....my beautiful girls, cooling but humid breezes and the stunning Na Pali. Then we went back to, yes, the Tahiti Nui for more Mai Tais and a large ham, pineapple and jalapeno pizza. On the way back we played a little game of pick-up soccer with a family from New York on the wonderful fields there in Hanalei. That night the stars came out and we pondered the meaning (absurdity) of existence before going to bed for a quiet and restful sleep. By our last day Marian was wishing that the moist air and constant temp were going to last us all the way to California. All I can say is, "Sorry, sweet hart. Get used to the dry heat!"
I hope you all can make it to Kauai' with us sometime because if you don't I will force you to ski with me in a blizzard. The choice is yours.
Mahalo!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
St. Rey Remains Contented
{DT=2009-07-20 @21-33-27}{SN=001}{VO=6573}{CO=greyscale;leveled}
Originally uploaded by craighaarmeyer
I know I look all scragglely, intense, tatooed, hunched over, old, cock tailed and black & white in this picture but I decided that I also needed to memorialize the moment again since I am so happy that my former employer decided to make me a former employee. Now I can work on things that people actually place value in.
Cheers, big ears!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Contented St. Rey and his Faithful Herd
Tweeted: Got fired yesterday after 20 years of employment.....and I feel so fucking good right now.
Tweeted: I will be hanging out with my family, backpacking, vacationing in Kauai and making 20,000 gallons of wine and loving it. That is all.......
Tweeted: Then I will be a ski bum in the winter.
Tweeted: Tawney Port...Old Cave Tawney Port to be exact.
Tweeted: I will be hanging out with my family, backpacking, vacationing in Kauai and making 20,000 gallons of wine and loving it. That is all.......
Tweeted: Then I will be a ski bum in the winter.
Tweeted: Tawney Port...Old Cave Tawney Port to be exact.
Trout Snacks at Cow Creek
Stayed with the Dieu's at the Meyers' cabin in Cow Creek. Had great time beating the heat of the valley, sleeping out doors, eating great food, drinking good wine and sharing each others company. Kelly loved fly fishing. She fished for 5 hours on Saturday hiking up and down lower Cow Creek catching several trout with Anne and Loren. I think she's hooked!
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