TrackTown, USA: It will probably not surprise anyone that we have landed in Eugene, Oregon. We will be here for quite some time as DT has UO Trustee meetings, there is atrack meet and then, there is a track meet.
Then we are going to go home for about twenty minutes and get ourselves organized.
The drive from Sisters to Eugene is just spectacular in the spring. The dogwood are blooming, the rivers are bulging and everything is so green. If only the skies weren't cloudy all day. (Insert sad face here.) We are back to our usual home-in-Eugene, the Premier RV Resort - nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. They have a new manager, and we can see several improvements since our last visit in November... for example this little bench on our patio:
With one flip of a switch, the park bench turns into a picnic table for two! So cute. It's not like I don't get out much... but am I the last camper to learn of these cleverly-designed table/bench things?
I don't know where you would eat if you have more than two people in your campsite. Just kidding! It's always raining in Eugene. No one eats outside.First thing on our agenda was to drive over to the Valley River Inn, host of tonight'sTrackTown Tuesday. This once-or-twice per month gathering is like a press conference and pep rally combined. It is free and open to the public. Just a bunch of folks talking about The One True Sport.
But this is Eugene - TrackTown, USA - so half the town shows up! Love it!
Thompson, Wheating & JohnsonTonight's event was emceed by UK Olympic distance runner, Christopher Thompson and ex-Duck (two-time Olympian) 800m runner, Andrew Wheating. They "interviewed" Oregon Head Track Coach, Robert Johnson (far right) about the upcoming National Championships. The event will be held in Eugene and the Lady Ducks have a good shot at taking the prize.
Tom Jordan, meet director for the Prefontaine Classic, was also interviewed. I am way too excited about this (professional) meet, featuring some of the best distance match-ups in the world today. (FYI: The Pre Classic will be shown live on NBC Saturday, June 1st, 1:30-3p, pacific.)
The University of Oregon has a very fast men's 4x100m relay team. Not unusual, maybe, but three of the relay team members are also on the Duck football team. This is a rarity in college sports when most students are one-sport athletes.
So... at a track & field gathering, UO Associate Athletic Director, Vin Lananna (right), interviewed the new Oregon football coach, Mark Helfrich. Only in Eugene... where the football coach AND track coach go on recruiting trips TOGETHER to get the same kid.
It was a great night - a very fun event - and it was wonderful to see all our old track pals again.Until my next update, I remain, your tracktown correspondent.
RV PARK: Premier RV Resort - Large RV park on I-5 (exit 199). Long pull-through sites with full hookups, 50/30 amp, bath houses, laundry, pool & hot tub (in season), fitness center, cozy fireplace lounge with TV, store, ice, newspaper delivered to your door six days per week. Freeway noise and a lot of live-ins. Premier RV Resort is conveniently located near the many RV repair/service businesses located in Coburg or Junction City. We are paying $34 per night with our frequent-flyer card discount.