Leaving Eugene

After just over seven weeks, we are finally leaving Eugene. We have grown quite attached to our one bedroom apartment and the running and cycling routes we do every day. But everything has to come to an end. This was always meant to be a recuperative section of our trip and now we feel ready to hit the road again and do some more traveling like we did in Australia but this time in California.

So we are both excited and a little bit sad. We have some fantastic things to look forward to over the next month. On Friday this week Andrea is racing a 5000m in Palo Alto (just south of San Francisco), before doing some more races around Los Angeles and Carlsbad. These are races that we have wanted to do for some time, so to finally be going to them is very very exciting.

Inbetween the races we hope to do a load of sightseeing and see some of California’s National Parks and famous sights. We are still unsure of our overall plans as a lot depends on our rental car (we may have to drive 6 hours south to Los Angeles for no good reason this weekend and we won‘t know until Friday). After that we have organised staying with some runners in Flagstaff Arizona for just over a week before heading to Las Vegas for a few days of glitz and glamour before flying home. It certainly looks like it is going to be an action packed month and we can’t wait!!

When we first arrived in the US, Andrea wrote about some of the differences we noticed between the US and UK. I think it is now time to add to that list. So some more things that we have learnt whilst in Eugene:

1, Very very few people ever walk anywhere. The car reins supreme.

2, Customer service is great here. Capitalism reins supreme.

3, There are hundreds of homeless people in Eugene. A big downside of the version of free market capitalism that the US thrives on.

4, IHop pancakes are amazing.

5, Denny’s burgers are amazing.

6, The national anthem is played a lot. Before all sports events and even before we get to ride a mechanical bull in a cowboy bar.

7, National and local pride is woven into the fabric of American society. Everyone supports the ducks (the University of Oregon) and wears the gear. When I say everyone, I mean everyone!! (well maybe 50%).

8, Eugene lives up to the title of “Track Town USA”.

See you in San Francisco!!!