Gone on Oregon

15 July 2006, Saturday
Eugene, OR

After a veeeerrrryyy leisurely morning/afternoon (I think each of us woke up at separate points thinking “Well, if they’re both still asleep…”), we devoured a sinful brunch of “Bismarck” with strawberries and whipped cream, did some laundry, and headed into town. Our first stop was Eugene’s annual Hemp fest, which was not so much a celebration of Hemp as much as a pot paraphernalia and advocacy show. Just as we were leaving, Kelly was attracted by the Henna tattoo booth, gave a holla when she noticed the Saturn symbol, which she decided would be most fitting on her driving foot. Perhaps there was too much Hempy haze in the air, as she started giving serious consideration to obtaining a more permanent version. She’s still considering doing so, in fact…

Saturn returns... all over Kelly's foot.

Happy Hempfest!

Only the second lemonade stand of the trip...

We cruised some more through downtown Eugene – such a great town! Stopped at a lemonade stand (only our 2nd of the trip) and then scooted home to make a picnic dinner for the evening’s entertainment – a concert featuring local band and growing global sensation, Pink Martini! The opening act was the March 4th Marching Band, which Meg had happened across one afternoon in Portland, OR – they are a carnival band that pretty much embodies what would result if the band geeks, the edgy artsy kids, and the thespians had cross-bred in high school. Bloody amazing! A quick glance through their website suggests that they mostly play the Oregon area, but we heard that they recently had performed at the World Cup in Germany and also are reigning World Carnival Band Champions, so hopefully the future will bring them further afield. It’s an amazing show, with the funkiest marching band you’ve ever seen, accompanied by dancers on stilts – almost like Cirque du Soliel.

March 4th Marching Band Performer

Then, of course, was Pink Martini – Meg and I have only just discovered them, but Beth was super enthusiastic when Meg mentioned they were in town, and now we know why. Jazzy, loungy, funky and fun, they perform songs from all cultures in about a dozen different languages. We couldn’t help but dance – when we could finally rouse ourselves from laying in the grass under the summer evening sky. We love Eugene! (The town, not the Steve alter ego. Well, we love him, too, but very differently).

16 July 2006
Eugene…

Woke up, and had brunch at this groovy little hippy with the biggest pancake Beth has ever confronted. We then dropped Beth off for her afternoon of grooming where she adopted a new hairstyle we’ve dubbed the “Mob” – party up front, business in the back – sort of like the Bada-Bing – the opposite of a mullet. Despite the description, it works, and she loooooks maaaahvelous.

Tasty O.J.!
Massive Pan Cake

Meg and Kelly wandered around town browsing at many shops selling incense and Kelly hippied out a bit, buying a book on Buddhism and pondering some Nag Champa. I do believe that the henna was being absorbed by the bloodstream. It was nice to feel chill – I can’t imagine being tense in Eugene. It’s the Goldilocks town and really the first along the entire trip that we could both imagine moving to (outside of anywhere in Oklahoma, of course). Watch out, Meg! We strolled through the University of Oregon to get the best ice cream in town, and then sadly had to depart. We said goodbye to our last friendly face ‘til home. Driving north to Portland, we saw the snow capped Mt. Hood in the distance and then turned East for the first time in 3.5 weeks. We drove along I-84, which follows the majestic Columbia River gorge and made camp at Wyeth. For the next week, we’ll have the wind at our backs, all the way to Delaware.

Goodbye, Meg!