What a great day in a great town. Eugene might be the best town yet, near Bend and the coast. It’s a college town, close to Portland and a mini-freak show. We started at Morning Glory for a yummy vegan breakfast and an eclectic cast of characters. Then the kids played and swam at the McKenzie river. And tonight we hung out with Darby and her sister in the Whitaker neighborhood.
There was a vintage arcade, a death metal band playing out of a van, two great breweries, street art performances and the green smell of Oregon in the air. There were trains and boutique grilled cheese sandwich shops on traffic islands. Lots of beards, tattoos and the smell of patchouli, as well as a fancy dessert stop before heading home.
Why did we only spend a day here?
Sorry Washington, but Oregon has got you beat for all the things you are trying to be. Oregon is the heart of America as I see it right now. Bend, Eugene and Portland? More of that please. This is a pretty great place to be.
Tomorrow morning, we are up early to embark on our last long road trip back to Marin for a a few more days of last minute shopping and goodbyes.
