TrackTown, USA: The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful places in America, but it was so cold, damp, windy (and we had rain two days) this week, I was happy to head back to the Willamette Valley, Eugene, and ten days of track and field in brilliant sunshine.
We drove south on Highway 101 in cold grey skies. We stopped in Lincoln City to buy salmon at Barnacle Bill’s, a little roadside stand that is an Oregon institution, and again for lunch at The Rogue Brewery in Newport. I have long written about the halibut fish and chips at The Rogue, and dang, if they didn't deliver again today. Never a fan of their fries, they now offer tots, but not the usual tots. These tots are quarter-sized puffy disks. Perfect.
I finished 80% of this! World Record! And I had a glass of Dead Guy Pilsner. So delicious.
Live now - Rest Later
My Driver had the rockfish tacos and the Rogue Root Beer (because he was driving).
Yellow bits are mango!
We continued our trek to TrackTown through the bucolic Willamette Valley (skirting Corvallis), so Dave could drop me to the Eugene Airport to get the rental car we will use during our stay in Eugene. The rental car is again so low to the ground, just like the car we had for the NCAAs. Why is this a thing now? I sat myself in the car (not an easy task, and I am only five feet tall) and pushed the button to move the driver seat forward so I could reach the gas pedal. There was a screetchy-rubbing sound coming from the ceiling of the car. What? It was the headrest rubbing up against the ceiling of the car! Once I figured out how to move the headrest down, I was ready to roll. I drove to our campsite, to find Dave had - without my assistance - put the slide room out, put the stabilizer jacks down, and put the satellite dish up to watch the historic San Francisco Giants v. St. Louis Cardinals game at Rickwood Field. I hope you were able to catch this game. It was not just a baseball game, it was a documentary. Watching this game, we learned so much about the Negro League, about Willie Mays, about segregation and the black experience of baseball. Totally shamefully how the black players were treated, especially as so many were returning war veterans. I really enjoyed the inning the game was aired in black & white (so cool), that the advertising signs in the outfield were re-made to look like they were from the old days, and that they used a bus from the 1940s to bring the players to the stadium.
That piece of Chinook salmon purchased from Barnacle Bill's proved to be one of the nicest pieces of fish we have had in a long while. Mary and Captain Jim, and the fishermen we met at the dory boats told us to go to Barnacle Bill's for the best salmon. They were right. Dave put the salmon on the grill on a "plate" of aluminum foil, drizzled in olive oil. I sprinkled the fish with Kosher salt.
Dave took it off the grill at 130°, and I covered it with foil while the vegetable (green beans) finished up. Served only with a lemon wedge. Just perfect. Wondering? Do people (not on the west coast) ever get/see Chinook Salmon? Please comment below.
Tomorrow begins our - 4 days on, 2 days off, 4 days on - track and field marathon. It will be exciting. It will be exhausting. We will see so many exciting nail-biters, and we will see so many friends. I will try to write about our experiences and link to the results. Please watch if you can. Honestly, it's the best.
Until my next update, I remain, your TrackTown correspondent.
Meet Information:
USA Olympic Track & Field Trials Schedule
How to watch
Campground Information: Premier RV Resorts - A bit confusing, as we have a frequent-flyer discount card, but we would be paying about $78 per night (we have several nights free on this visit with our punch card). The park is full-service, with every amenity (though the pool is teeny) and is very dog-friendly - with a dog wash. Small shop with limited groceries, RV supplies, Duck stuff, ice cream and ice. It is right on I-5 so quite noisy. The most conveniently located campsite for a visit to Eugene, but is isn't really very convenient. We stay here all the time. Like, really, all the time.
No fresh fish of any kind in Montana! I buy salmon at Costco but it’s been frozen first. Same at our Arizona home–no fresh fish. 🙁
We also watched the baseball game last night. A few years ago, we were traveling through Kansas City and were fortunate enough to visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. It’s worth a visit if you are in the area.
Hey, I’m just spooling up on your trip reports (traveling ourselves). Since you and DT are going to be regularly renting a car while traveling, I’d like to share three tips.
One – It’s cheaper to pick up at car at a hotel/anywhere BUT the airport, as you are paying additional services charges for that “free” transit to the location. Sometimes it’s shockingly high!
Two – If you are a Costco member, their car rental service is ALWAYS cheaper than anything else we’ve found. They give you access to all the brands.
Three – Keep checking rates! We’ll book several weeks out, but it’s amazing to see how cheaper rates are frequently offered – sometimes on the day you’re going to pick up. So we just cancel the previous booking and re-book.
We’re so very glad to see you all are on the road again!
The only “fresh” fish we see is fish that has been frozen and then thawed to put in the “fresh” fish case…..sigh.
We’re in NE FL and had an offshore charter fishing business for years. We don’t, however, have access to fresh salmon. I have ordered overnight delivery on occasion. Other fresh seafood is plentiful here.