Saturday night things changed when Oregon started out flat with numerous penalties.  Early in the game Oregon had multiple scoring opportunities but failed to convert.  Just before the half Oregon was in the red zone and touchdown would put the Ducks within seven points at the half.  Instead LaMichael James fumbled the football and USC ended the first half with a 21-7 lead.  In the third quarter USC extended their lead all the way out to 38-14.  With a twenty four point deficit Oregon finally woke up.  De’Anthony Thomas returned a kick for a touch down.  Oregon fought all the way back to get within three points at 38-35.  With minutes left USC marched down the field and a touchdown would put the game out of reach.  Oregon was hoping for a field goal but USC turned the ball over inside the red zone.

Under two minutes left Oregon started marching down the field.  With a minute left they were on USC’s side of the field.  Oregon chose to not use their timeouts and instead just keep the defense on their heels.  The strategy backfired and the Ducks lost most of the last minute without advancing the ball beyond USC’s thirty yard line.  With seconds left Oregon finally used a timeout and had to settle for a field goal from a distance where the kicker had been 50/50.   The kick went wide left leaving many wondering what could have been. 

Now Oregon has to beat Oregon State this weekend in order to reach the Pac 12 championship game where they would be heavy favorites.  Even though a national championship game is out of reach Oregon is close to winning the Pac 12 Conference for the third consecutives year.

Oregon still has an outside shot of reaching the BCS Championship Game but needs help for that to happen.  Oregon would need to win out in convincing fashion and have other teams lose.  Best case scenario for Oregon would be for Oklahoma State to lose to Oklahoma, Alabama to lose one of its last two games, and Oklahoma to lose this weekend before defeating Oklahoma the following week.  Even if only Oklahoma State were to lose Oregon would have a chance, albeit a small one.  Crazier things have happened in college football over the years.

Oregon faces a tough USC opponent this weekend.  USC is full of talented future NFL players, especially at the skill positions.  USC has Matt Barkley at quarterback and Robert Woods at wide receiver, both of whom are expected to be first round NFL draft picks.  The Barkley to Woods combo could expose one of the ducks’ flaws in the secondary.  Oregon’s game plan will be the same.  Use their team speed and depth to overwhelm their opponent.  Oregon will conclude the season against rival Oregon State in a potential trap game.  Oregon State is having a down season with just two wins so far and it may be easy for the ducks to overlook.  If Oregon is to have any chance at reaching the title game, they need to take care of their own business first and that includes the Beavers.

The beautiful shots throughout the movies have helped showcase the amazing beauty most people have probably never seen.  After seeing the movies and reading the books visitors have come to Oregon and Washington to visit the areas where the movies were filmed including Forks, Washington and the famous View Point Inn along the Columbia Gorge.  Come witness the beauty of Portland and the surrounding areas for yourself.

Shoppers will be getting up well before dawn to go to many of the major national chain stores for great deals on electronics, clothing and home supplies.  Most stores offer door buster deals for those that wait in line for hours.  Here are the major shopping centers in Portland and Vancouver

Clackamas Mall
Lloyd Center Mall
Washington Square Mall
Bridgeport Village
Westfield Mall (Vancouver Mall)
Woodburn Company Stores
Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets (Troutdale)
Pioneer Square Mall and Downtown Portland

Mall hours will change with most opening early in the morning.  Many department stores like Macy’s will be open as early as 4 am.  This year there are many stores that are opening up as early as midnight or 11pm on Thanksgiving.  Here are stores with the best electronics and home appliances door buster deals.

Target
Walmart
Best Buy
Sears

Among the popular door buster deals are for televisions, washers & dryers, video games, consoles, digital cameras, camcorders.  Stores also offer gift certificate for the first so many customers that walk in the door.  Just another reason many line up for hours waiting in line to get in the store.

Eagle Crest Resort provide a relief from the rain for Portlanders.  Portlanders are used to year round rain and desert resort is the perfect remedy.  Among the top activities for visitors to take part in at Eagle Crest are

Golf
Tennis
Hiking
Swimming
Biking
Horseback Riding
Spa & Massage

Visitors may choose to stay in vacation rental condos and homes.  Because Eagle Crest is a relatively new resort all the facilities are in pristine conditions.  The golf course is lined with beautiful homes adding to the already amazing surroundings.  If that is not enough to lure somebody to visit there are many other great attractions nearby.  The town of Bend is close and provides great shopping, restaurants and entertainment.  Attractions nearby include:

Mt Bachelor (skiing, snowboarding, hiking and snowshoeing)
Shopping
Movie Theaters
Smith Rock
White Water Rafting and Kayaking on the Deschuttes River
Great Restaurants

On Mount Hood there is the world famous Timberline Lodge as well as Meadows and Ski Bowl.  Timberline has the most expensive ski lift tickets but they also offer the greatest lodging and restaurant options.  Between sessions skiers can enjoy a hot beverage in the lodge with beautiful views of the mountain.  Timberline is also open year round for those skiers that cannot get enough.  Members of the United States ski team are known to do training on Mt Hood.  A little further down the mountain is Meadows Ski Resort.  Meadows has the advantage of offering the most ski lifts with a variety of trails down the mountain side.  Ski Bowl is the closest to Portland based out of Government Camp. 

For skiers on a budget they can do night ski that is more affordable and night lift tickets usually run for $30.  During the day lift tickets are almost twice as much.  Before the season starts skiers can purchase season passes for night ski for as little as $100.  For those who plan on going multiple times during the season may consider buying a season pass.

The downtown apartment buildings are the most expensive because of their location and what they offer by being close to all of Portland’s downtown events.  Price range may depend on amenities included with the apartment including laundry, clubhouse, pool, and size.  Affordable apartments can be found further away from downtown in areas like Gresham, Vancouver, Hillsboro, and Tualatin.  It is best to do your homework on the area before deciding on an apartment.  Safety and location are some of the things to consider.  Gresham offers close access to the Max transit line but also has a high rate of car theft.  These are just a few things to consider when apartment hunting in Portland.  Living in Vancouver has its advantages including affordable prices and safety.  It also has its drawbacks which include very little public transportation from Vancouver to Portland.

One of the most popular places to live that is further away from downtown is Happy Valley in Clackamas County.  Happy Valley offers new apartment buildings, access to public transportation, great shopping nearby and safety.  Apartments in Happy Valley are usually more expensive but when considering what they offer it may be worth it for those looking for a new place to live.

Here are churches in the Portland/Vancouver metro area

City Bible Church (4 Locations)
(503) 255-222

Locations and Service Times

*9200 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR
Sunday Services (9AM & 11AM)

*14313 Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver, WA
Sunday Services (9AM & 11AM)

*8200 SW Pfaffle Street Tigard, Oregon 97223
Sunday Services (9AM & 11AM)

*1210 NW 10th Ave Portland, Oregon, 97209
Sunday Services (11AM)

City Harvest Church
(360) 546-1000
8100 Northwest 9th Avenue Vancouver, WA 98665
Sunday Services (9AM & 11:15AM)

Solid Rock Church
(503) 620-1120

Locations and Service Times

*Downtown Portland, Gatherings at First Baptist Church located at the corner of 12th and Taylor
Saturday Services (6PM & 8PM)

*10500 SW Nimbus Ave. Bldg. T Portland, OR 97223
Sunday Services (8AM, 10AM, 12PM, 6PM)

Rolling Hills Community Church
(503) 638-5900

3550 SW Borland RoadTualatin, OR 97062
Sunday Services (9AM & 11AM)

Portland’s attractions, restaurants and people are all diverse.  In a single day one can be on Mount Hood snowboarding, skiing at mid day and enjoying an evening surf session on the Oregon Coast.  Hiking trails are like Starbucks, they are everywhere.  What more could you ask for?  If dining is your thing, Portland offers some of the most diverse restaurants in the entire country.  Portland is one of those cities where you can get great Asian food without having to travel across the ocean for it.  The city has some of the best Thai food in the world.  In addition, Portland also has world class steakhouses, Italian restaurants and more.

If this hasn’t convinced anyone to move to Portland, Oregon or to at least visit then consider Portland’s weather.  Yes it does rain a lot in Portland but the summers a simply spectacular.  While other parts are suffering through unbearable heat waves Portland’s temperature is usually just right.  During the day temperature will range from the 70’s and 80’s to a few days in the 90’s.  Every week during the summer Portland offers free outdoor concerts, music festivals, Italian festivals, Brewfest and more.  For those worrying about the winter, Portland does not even come close to other cities in the country that go through sub freezing temperature for several months.  Portland usually has mild winters with a couple of snow days for those who want snow.  It gets cold but not unbearably cold, just enough for you to enjoy putting your fall and winter clothes to use.

What are you waiting for?  Come experience Portland’s museums, spectacular summers, amazing restaurants, crazy cyclists and the quirky people that line Portland’s streets.

Crater Lake provides numerous fun activities for those looking to do some physical exercise.  There is year round hiking whether you want to do it in the summer or in the winter with the perimeter of the lake covered in snow.  Crater Lake has over 90 miles of hiking trails that range in length and difficulty.  From July through September there are boat tours of the lake (weather permitting).  The boat tours will take you around the lake and give visitors a different perspective and point of view of this marvelous lake.  The boat tours may also include a stop at Wizard Island.  Wizard Island is the only island on the lake and is also a great place to stop and do some exploring on. 

Among other activities available to do for visitors, there is fishing in Crater Lake.  Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout are a couple of the fish in the lake and the best part about fishing is that visitors do not have to worry about purchasing a license to fish within the national park grounds.

Other activities include snow shoeing, diving, camping and many more nearby attractions.

Places to stay:
Crater Lake Lodge ($163+)