Greetings

**mrtr33** · 03-30-2008, 07:04 PM

I've been reading the posts for the past couple of weeks, and just joined. I've been smoking cigars seriously now since probably Thanksgiving of this past year. The B & M here in central Oregon has done a great job educating me, but from the looks of prices online, it's a bit expensive. I have found cigarbid, but don't want to waste money on crap.

Unlike another new member to this forum that has posted, I have I think 6 cigars now in my humidor. Thanks for all of the great advice on getting that set up! It looks like there is a great group here.

Of all the cigars I've smoked in the last 4-5 months, I have enjoyed Padron 4000 Maduro Rocky Patel Sun Grown Toros, and Partagas Black Label Piramides probably the best. I'm new. I know it. I keep a "little black book" about each new cigar I try. I've tried low-ends, and high end cigars, just trying to get a feel of what I like.

I also enjoy reading, wood working, travelling, playing chess, and baking. In addition to picking up the cigar hobby, i am starting to learn more about making cheese.

Nice to meet you all.

**mauied1101** · 03-30-2008, 07:21 PM

Welcome from DC!

**basil** · 03-30-2008, 09:18 PM

Welcome from Texas

**mithril** · 03-30-2008, 11:18 PM

welcome

**cls515** · 03-31-2008, 02:39 AM

Welcome to the boards. I'm glad you signed up.

I've been considering a move to Oregon, maybe around the Portland area. Can you recommend some places for me to check out? I've heard Hillsboro is pretty nice.

**ashauler** · 03-31-2008, 06:00 AM

Welcome from Kansas.

**DeeDubya** · 03-31-2008, 09:14 AM

Another welcome from Texas!

**mrtr33** · 03-31-2008, 12:11 PM

I haven't been to Hillsboro. I live on the east side of the Cascade mountain range, very different from the west side. That side is lush, green, rainy at times, but nice. This side is high desert and bitterly cold. It was 7 degrees here this morning.

I've been to a few places on the western side of the Cascades, though. Salem looks nice. I have been meaning to get down to Ashland to see a Shakespeare play. Medford is also a cool town. I really liked Willamette, and anything along the coast. Closer to Portland, I would suggest checking out Tualatin, or Vancouver, WA.

I have also lived in southern California, southwest Missouri, and grew up in northwest Louisiana. We used to go all throughout east and south Texas as kids. I still have lots of friends and family down there.

**Sporadic Metonomy** · 03-31-2008, 12:31 PM

Welcome to the site!

I'm a stickler for Partagas Black myself.

**bigwhiteash** · 03-31-2008, 12:57 PM

Welcome from South Carolina, I see you got your account straightened out

Be careful on cBid, you can quickly ring up some sales on the "Devil Site"

**Roham** · 03-31-2008, 01:27 PM

Welcome from up north!!!

**bhands** · 03-31-2008, 02:55 PM

welcome from CA check out the newbie sampler thread II.

**cls515** · 03-31-2008, 05:11 PM

Thanks. What do you know about Eugene?

**pub spears** · 03-31-2008, 05:45 PM

Welcome from SC. How often do you get the urge to drive in circles?

**mrtr33** · 03-31-2008, 05:48 PM

I've heard mixed things. From the two times I've been there, it seemed nice. I don't know if I could live there. But that's me, personally.

I would definitely schedule a visit before blindly moving, naturally. U of O is there, so there's a large collegiate presence. It used to be a haven for ex-hippies and yuppies, but they are trying hard to not shun, but expand the perception of their city beyond just that stereotype. From my experiences there, the people just kind of seemed like zombies. Sunken faces, no expressions, little to no action in town. Maybe it was a slow day. Difficult to describe. Nothing really wrong, but no reason to go back.

Eugene sits on the I-5, the main artery of the west coast cities, spanning from San Diego to Seattle. In terms of getting places, you're golden.

**mrtr33** · 03-31-2008, 05:51 PM

Pub Spears - If you mean in reference to the roundabouts here, it definitely makes driving interesting. Most of Oregon I have found utilizes roundabouts instead of stop lights or signs, I suppose in an effort to keep traffic moving. It works I think because Bend is still a small city.

I haven't totally converted, though. I still enjoy a good traffic light.

**FunkyCold5** · 03-31-2008, 06:49 PM

Mark,

Welcome from VA! You will learn a lot of things regarding cigars here. Great group of BOTLs always willing to help.

Andrew

**heftysmokes** · 04-01-2008, 12:20 AM

Welcome from MT

**cls515** · 04-01-2008, 01:09 PM

Thanks for the insider's info. I went to Findyourspot.com, where they match a city based on your preferences, the top two cities in Oregon for my preferences were Corvallis and Salem.

When I'm there to visit we should meet up.