Saturday Market is rocking and rolling in Eugene this time of year. Every Saturday from April to November a market is held at the blocks of Willamette and 8th. Hippies displaced from the 60′s gather to sell their wares, as well and your everyday folk. Music and food stands abound in this all day event. It’s definitely worth your time to check this uniquely Eugene event out.
Hiking in the Eugene Area
The snow is melting in the nearby hills and mountains and its a great time for a hike. The winter rains are pretty much gone and the sun is cranking.
1. Mt. Pisgah: A 2 or 3 hour hike and a great view of the Cascade mountains to the east.
2. Spencer’s Butte: Another short hike 5 minutes from the city with nice view.
3. Skinner’s Butte (Principal Skinner from the Simpsons’ was named after this hill): A little hill in Downtown Eugene with decent views. Pick up a Coffee Shake at Allan Bros’ Beanery on 6th and Charnelton on a hot day and cruise up to the top for a nice view of the Willamette and and to
the east a view of the Sister’s mountains 100 miles away.
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4. Eagle’s Rest: take route 58 South and get off at the Dexter exit. Drive another 5 or so miles until you see the turn off for Eagle’s Rest.
This is a neat 2 mile hike round trip with almost no visitors. One gets a great view of surrounding hills/peaks. You can even camp on top if you are inconspicuous.
Other events in the city
Track events for the University of Oregon: Steve Prefontaine, the legendary distance runner in the early 70′s who was much of the inspiration behind Nike shoe company, heralded from University of Oregon and it’s Track program has several events in May at Hayward Field on campus.
Oregon Invitational on May 1st
Pepsi Team Invitational on May 8th
Oregon Twilight on May 15th
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Quirky Facts
Downtown Eugene is centered around the little hill called Skinner’s butte. Principal Skinner from "the Simpson’s" was named after this inconspicuous mound.
Geography
Eugene Oregon is located in the Central Willamette Valley. It is 8 hours drive north of San Francisco by I-5 and 5 hours south of Seattle by the same road.
Accommodation
There is a youth hostel on 2352 Willamette street. Rates are $12 a night or $85 per week. (541.349.0589).
There are many middle of the road motels that can be kinda dirty, but are cheap in the $20-$40 per night range.
Hilton Hotel has a massive structure for the spenders.
There is a cute little Bed & Breakfast in downtown Eugene called the Oval Door Bed & Breakfast.
Transport
Eugene is one of the main stops on the road between Seattle and San Francisco. All buses and trains stop here.
Lane Transit Department (LTD) has an extensive bus sytem throught the Eugene/Springfield area. Rides cost a $1 US or if you buy a pack of tokens, .75 cents each.
Money
US currency. A minimum budget for Eugene would be around 0 dollars per day if you slept outside and begged for food. If you want a roof over your head and cook for yourself at the hostel, $20 per day would be reasonable.
