How the Rich Folks Live

We have some friends who are well-off. And as they are patrons of the arts, they, from time-to-time, bid on those support-the-arts packages offered by the local museums, orchestras, operas and like that. These typically consist of some kind of group adventure or dinner, and when they get one, they invite folks they know to come along.

So the latest was for the local science museum, and consisted of a two-hour ride up and down the Willamette River in a multi-level party boat, to learn about the bridges and local history along the river, followed by a whiskey tasting at the museum.

The rain was coming and going, but it was mild, and I spent a fair amount of time either on the bow, or when it cranked back up, under the overhang at the stern. This is the kind of boat that has a wet bar and a baby grand piano in the lounge ...

Saw this Spanish-style stucco and tile monster mansion on the river bank, probably in West Linn. Seventeen thousand square feet, the guide said. Not to mention a private dock with three boats and a float plane ...

The tasting  was fun, seven different kinds of hootch, ranging from Scottish single malt, blended scotch, to Canadian whiskey, to American whiskey to Kentucky Bourbon. The tasting was guided by a Master of Whiskey who knew his stuff, and I learned all kinds of interesting things about the spirit world.

I confess to a taste for Tennessee whiskey and bourbon over the scotch stuff. What can I say? I even like Southern Comfort, which is full of dye, added sugar, and peaches ...

Not a bad way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon. And no, I didn't drive home ...