Musketeer Madness

Jeff Goodman
Phil Knight Legacy Bracket:

Duke
Florida
Gonzaga
Oregon State
Portland State
Purdue
West Virginia
Xavier

Looks like a good field of teams but Portland? Seems like every time it's on the news it's for rioting

bluegrass wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 16, 2022 10:36 am

Looks like a good field of teams but Portland? Seems like every time it's on the news it's for rioting

muskieman wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:37 pm

Jeff Goodman
Phil Knight Legacy Bracket:

Duke
Florida
Gonzaga
Oregon State
Portland State
Purdue
West Virginia
Xavier

Really, Bluegrass?

Where have you been, Pierre?

edgecliff hall wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:26 pm

Where have you been, Pierre?

In pot-hazed California. Go to the super bowl get high for free

way too far....and Portland??? in late November..brrrr?

Xavier2005 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 16, 2022 4:19 pm

way too far....and Portland??? in late November..brrrr?

average temp for November 40 low 54 high Cincinnati 55 to 36

I could be wrong, but the only team that seems beatable is Portland State. I think all the rest would beat this year's team.

Pierre Dracot wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 16, 2022 1:10 pm

bluegrass wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 16, 2022 10:36 am

Looks like a good field of teams but Portland? Seems like every time it's on the news it's for rioting

muskieman wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:37 pm

Jeff Goodman
Phil Knight Legacy Bracket:

Duke
Florida
Gonzaga
Oregon State
Portland State
Purdue
West Virginia
Xavier

Really, Bluegrass?

Not sure what you're asking me.You don't think the field is good or you don't think Portland has had a lot of riots?

Portland is mild all year with the exception of 2 to 3 hot weeks in the summer and a few days of snow during the winter.

The BLM demonstrations were blown out of proportion by the media as property damage was limited to a few buildings (graffiti, probably some broken windows but most buildings were already boarded up for covid). Plenty of murals drawn on plywood covered windows (most very artistically done and beautiful) but not on the actual buildings. I walked 5 or so miles around the area and damage was hard to find other than a few buildings (My walk happened around the time the Feds were in Portland, waited until 8, maybe 9 to witness the "chaos" but discovered the crowds didn't build until closer to 11pm and decided a first-hand experience wasn't worth the wait).

The homeless have however been a significant problem as they have broken windows, stabbed people and performed other less than desirable acts in far too many places of the city. The far right and far left do clash from time to time but permits will not be granted anywhere near the basketball venues so just avoid any areas that have a Proud Boys, Patriot Prayer or Antifa gathering (probably some other groups that should be avoided but I'm not in the know). Crime is up in the city, primarily the homeless and partially extremists plus the usual issues cities face. Avoid the homeless tent camps and anyone seeming to have mental issues and you likely won't have any issues.

I will be attending the games. I'd offer to host an after party but I'm out in the mountains about an hour from downtown. Skiing on Mt Hood does usually open Thanksgiving weekend so anyone looking to ski should stay a few extra days and head out my way. Foraging for chanterelles & matsutake mushrooms is another fun activity on the mountain in November. You could also go to the coast, it is beautiful but not bikini weather. Drive down the Columbia River Gorge for some beautiful scenery, including many waterfalls, several of which can be seen from the road. Plenty of hiking in the Gorge, Mt Hood area and coast. Can also walk the 26 miles of trails in Forest Park which is within city limits.

Great wineries in the Willamette valley south of Portland. The Willamette Valley is known for Pinot Noir but have other options as well. There are also some wineries down the Columbia Gorge near Hood River (Not sure if these are also known for Pinot). Hood river hosts international kite and wind surfing tournaments but guessing November is way too late in the year.

Portland is known for great food. I'm not a foodie but love that authentic as well as fusion options exist for almost any type of food. Food cart pods are less plentiful than they once were but still plenty of areas to grab some quick inexpensive food. Also no shortage of breweries or legal pot dispensaries. No sales tax on anything (do not cross the river into Washington or that will no longer be true).

November is the rainy season in the Portland area. What you will discover however is that it almost never rains and instead sprinkles regularly. Wear a hood, no umbrella needed. If you see an umbrella, good chance it is another tourist.