Attempted to play rugby in Eugene, Oregon

I went to Eugene yesterday to check out their practice.  I wanted to see what the drive was like as Eugene is about an hour south of Corvallis.  I also wanted to see how the team was.  They have two different Facebook pages.  One is a page that you like and the other is one you can friend.  I know there’s a difference, but don’t care.  The two different pages have two different sites for practices.  Luckily, they both say the same days at least.  I wrote down the two spots and headed out to Eugene.

Rush hour in Corvallis is silly.  It took me an extra 5 minutes to get through downtown to get to route 34.  I decided to take I-5 instead of 99.  Thought it might be a smidge faster.  Once I finally got to I-5 it was smooth the rest of the trip.  Ohioans must be speed demon drivers.  Oregonians go the speed limit where as Ohioans go at least 5 over.  I was zooming down I-5 hoping I wouldn’t get pulled over.  I did not.
My GPS on my phone directed me to Skinner Butte Park.  It’s not a very big park.  I drove all around and did NOT see anyone playing rugby.  I decided to go to the second location. 

Here’s my beef about Oregon towns thus far.  Random streets become one ways and you don’t know it until you’re about to go the wrong way.  Lanes end without good warning.  Street signs are usually obstructed by tree branches.  Bicyclists are everywhere and they make me nervous.  (I am trying to find out what cyclist rules are in Oregon.  I was always told that a bicycle is a vehicle and must adhere to traffic laws.  I know they are different, but it’s the safest way to cycle.  Corvallis is a bike friendly town, which I love, but the crazy cyclists the dart in and out of traffic, go the wrong way on a one way and ride on sidewalks rather than the designated bike lanes piss me off!  I should save the rant for another blog entry.  The entry will be more whining about crazy cyclists and my fear of the Witham Hill.)

Where was I?  Oh yes, location #2, which was Amazon Park behind the elementary school.  I saw people playing soccer, football and softball.  NO rugby.   I was frustrated with trying to navigate the one way streets that weren’t exactly on a grid, so I went back to Skinny Butt Park (Aka Skinner Butte). 

Still no signs of anyone playing rugby. I was looking forward to meeting the team.  As I am still thinking about what I want to do, I was a little disheartened.  I have been debating on whether or not to drive an hour 2-3 times a week to play, or stay with Corvallis as they build.  I don’t want to hang with Eugene and get attached and then once Corvallis gets up and running, ditch Eugene.  I think I’ll end up giving Corvallis my allegiance and offering to be a rugby whore to Eugene whenever they need it. 

I didn’t want my drive to be a total waste, so I busted out the iPhone to see what was around me.  Found a mall.  SCORE. 

I went to the mall hoping they had a furniture store.  I don’t have a couch and would really like one for being lazy.  None of the stores in the mall had furniture.  I’d rather buy at a local shop anyway and have more time to save up some money for a really nice sleeper sofa in case anyone wants to visit.  No rush, so I can save up.  My papasan chair is quite comfy even though I think I’ll get scoliosis by the way I sit in it.

Having no luck with finding furniture, I left.  It was dark by the time I left the mall, but there was a full moon.  It was wonderful seeing it so bright and you I could see the outline of the mountains in the distance.  It was amazing. 

Eugene was actually a neat city.  I hope to go back sometime to explore more thoroughly .  When I go for no particular reason, I probably won’t have as much road rage with the silly streets.  Eugene has a lot more stores and other amenities as opposed to Corvallis.  It’s the second largest city in Oregon with Portland being the largest.  Corvallis is actually the 10th.  Portland is by far the biggest as it has 550,000 people to Eugene’s 155,000 and Corvallis’ 55,000.  However, if Corvallis had a Target, I would never need to leave.  Middletown has a slightly smaller population at 51,000 and they have a Target.  Beavercreek also has a Target with a population of 42,000.  I think I have a valid argument for requesting a Target in Corvallis.  It’s not like it’s Yellow Springs with a population of 3,761 er…. 3,760 since I left.  So what if there’s a target in Albany only 20 minutes away.  It’s a moot point.  It’s all about me.  I demand a Target in Corvallis for when I get over my fear of the Witham Hill and crazy motorists so that I could ride my bike there.