Back to Sun Valley

I returned to Sun Valley, Idaho for Silver Auctions annual labor day auction again this year. With some of the restrictions easing up, it was the first large even held at the Sun Valley lodge this year. Social distancing and masks were required and because it was held in large open tent there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out. Around 90 cars were consigned with 75% of them going to new buyers. The top sale was a 2020 Corvette selling for $127,000.

The only color for a Corvette.

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Rare Z! 900 sold for $10,500.

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This 1987 Honda Prelude was an one owner car, it looked new and sold for $4100.00

Fourth of July

The holiday gods blessed Oregon with perfect weather for the 4th of July weekend. I decided to get out to town for few hours, and headed east for the open roads of central Oregon. I was surprised with the amount traffic, I guess everyone felt like getting out of town too.

This time I took hwy 26, which takes you around the base of Mt. Hood. While the sun was out, the mountain air was cool and crisp, but as I drop elevation and headed closer to central Oregon it started warming up. While, it would have been nice to be enjoying a big celebration like in years past, getting out alone on the open road is a great way to celebrate too.

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Ride around Mt. Hood was a shot of the mountain looking to the north.

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Social distancing shadow.

Bourbon Bonanza

We got into a little bit of bourbon over the holidays. While I'm not a huge spirits guy, I don't mind a good cocktail once in awhile. My co-writer for this piece, Al, enjoys a scotch on the rocks every now and again. So we tried a couple of new bottles and discovered a few gems.

Portland's own Burnside Bourbon paired perfectly with homemade Bananas Foster, continuing along with our steakhouse-themed Christmas dinner. Then we prematurely popped the cork on the Jefferson's Reserve a night before our official New Year's Eve toast. It was an amazing bottle; still lingering on the palette nearly an hour after our last sips.

A summer sipper that we have also enjoyed is Long Table Distillery's Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin. While not whiskey-based; with a hint of caramel and smoke, it's a great alternative for those who prefer clear spirits, but are open to a little more depth and complexity. It's only available at the downtown distillery in Vancouver, Canada. I would say well-worth the trek.

Happy Holidays

With Thanksgiving turkey in the rearview mirror, it's a quick countdown to Christmas only three weeks down the road.

Waterwatch wrapped up this year's fundraising with a bang. Thanks to Nina Johnson for sharing her photography skills. Next year is already looking to be a Happy New Year filled with fun fundraisers. Good to have our loyal repeat customers back and a warm welcome to new clients joining our team. We look forward to starting the 2017 fundraising season right with a new-to srdorsey auctioneering not-for-profit group. Revving up in February and gearing down in November, there is still lots of availability remaining in the first and last months of next year's auction calendar. If you have a specific date in mind, best to get on the stick!

A couple of notable upcoming events is auction week in Arizona, January 18 to 22. You will see a record number of cars consigned this week in 2017, with seven auctions competing for your business. Even I have been eyeing a few auctions I may head down to. There are some worthwhile cars to bid on. Of course, don't forget to check out the first motorcycle auction of the year too.  Mecum returns to Las Vegas January 27 to 29. I'm planning to make it down there for at least one of those days.

So happy holidays to you and your families. Thanks for a tremendous 2016! I wish you all the best in the new year and am excited to see what 2017 has in-store for us all.

Happy Holidays

Here's a little Christmas cheer from our house to yours in the form of a photo collage. We baked to our hearts' content. I roasted a 5-boned, nearly 15-pound prime rib and served it with garden-grown horseradish. We paired that with mashed Yukon Gold potatoes from my folks' property and Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley. Leftovers transformed into steak and eggs for breakfast the next day and today, we're enjoying it as an overnight, slow-cooked beef and barley stew!

I hope you and your loved ones are having a safe and very happy holidays! Wishing you all the best of health and happiness for the coming year. See you soon.

Gobble Gobble

Wow. Can you believe it's that time of the year again? Turkey time!

We're all ready for company. Shopping is done. Pies are baking. House is tidy. Tables are clothed. I would have to say Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the tradition and the meaning. It's all about getting the family together and celebrating for what we are grateful with food and wine. And there really is so much to be grateful for in our lives.

We always do a big bird with mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce. The vegetables may vary from year to year. The sweet Hawaiian rolls never do. We always have pie - lots and lots of pie. There are five kinds on the menu this year. This year we're also having Oregon roses from Bergstrom and Winderlea with our meal. It'll be the last of the bottles that we brought back from the Willamette Valley, when we were there earlier this fall.

So whatever you celebrate and however you celebrate with your families, I hope that you enjoy happiness and good health this holiday season. Safe travels and full stomachs to all! Gobble gobble!

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