Spencer’s Butte. My favorite stomping ground in Eugene, Oregon. My home away from home. Thanks for letting me share pictures from over the years…
Oregon
Malt Balls
I JUST DISCOVERED HEAVEN!!!!! Holy god, thank you Lord! South Bend Chocolate Company Malt Balls! The absolute best cure for Monday blues!
Jacobsen Salty Black Licorice
Enamored with anything Oregonian and delicious, I recently stumbled upon (in my mother’s kitchen) the most INCREDIBLE, tasty unusual, and delicious treat, made by a Local Company, Jacobsen Salt Co. A little background: my parents met and married in Stockholm, Sweden, 42 years ago. I also lived there as a 5 year old for a year. Soooo, I feel a connection to anything Swedish (add that to my long list of special connections: Oregon, Paris, hippy, etc..) One of the many Swedish food loves is black licorice, and especially salted black licorice. It is definitely an acquired taste, but if you do like it, you LOVE it. And my mother is royally obsessed with black licorice and stocks up on it when in Scandinavia. So it was a treat for her to find her favorite candy made by a local company. Hip hip hooray!
Eugene Half Marathon 2014
As Ken told me at the Butte to Butte, “Going to a road race in Eugene is like attending a hedge fund conference in NYC. Everyone feels at home.” And he is so right! Eugene, Oregon is “Track Town USA.” Most everyone is sporty and either bikes, runs, or does both. Eugene frequently hosts the Track and Field Olympic Trials (in 1972, 1976, 1980, 2008 and 2012, and will host again in 2016). Additionally, it is the birthplace of Nike, Steve Prefontaine, and the historic Hayward Field.
Lavender Festival
Over the weekend, we went to the Lavender Festival on the McKenzie River with the family, including our nieces and nephews. What’s at an Oregon Lavender festival? Lavender. And a couple of lavender vendors. And, well…that is about it! That said, we enjoyed the scenery, smells, colors, and ummmmm lavender.
Iron Mountain Hike, Oregon
I had the opportunity to go on a day hike with my Papa yesterday without the kids (Thank you, Nana!!) and it was a gorgeous 8 mile loop. Iron Mountain is known for its wildflowers — with over 300 species of flowers scattered throughout the meadows and mountain. It was a gorgeous terrain with a mixture of fields, forest, views, flowers, and trees. Enjoy the pictures!
Sunriver 2013
We are in Florida now after an incredibly relaxing and enjoyable week in Sunriver, Oregon with my parents. Although not as bad as last year, we missed a connection on the way out and had to rent a car and drive four hours from Portland. No matter what a pain in the arse traveling across the country is with two kids, two car seats, a stroller and five million bags, it is worth every second to be with my parents. Enjoy the pics!
Camp Wolf
Denim + Pendelton = DREAM COME TRUE.
Born in Portland, Oregon, as of September 2013 (brand stinking new!) Camp Wolf was inspired by a love for Pacific Northwestern life and a passion for making cool clothes for cool kids. Everything is hand sewn and one-of-a-kind — recycled vests with Pendleton fabric — to create a cheery, hip, and stylish look for kids ranging from newborn to 5 years old. Original and unique!
Butte Creek Mill Cookie Mix
Because everything “cool” that I discover is from my mom, here is the most recent find: whole grain, organic, artisan cookie mixes! Made in Oregon (obvi), these mixes come from Southern Oregon’s Butte Creek Mill. And it has been in operation since 1872 — long standing coolness.
Bird Shirts
OK OK OK, totally hippy, totally Eugene….and yet, totally awesome *and* totally on trend. BIRD SHIRTS! How can you NOT fall in love with them?
Holiday Weekend
Not that there is much difference between a weekend and a weekday during my summer vacation in Oregon, but we have had a great last couple of days. My brother and his family came down from Seattle, and there was a constant influx of noise, commotion, and chaos, combined with love, laughter, and happiness. When the two of our families are at my parents house (minus Ken, who is working in New York but coming out on Friday!), there is A LOT going on, but we all love being together so much. Here is a look at what we did. A lot of outdoor activities, as normal:
Oregon Coast Pics
My husband likes to joke with me that my stories need to be “shorter and funnier.” So, this post, although not funny, is short with no words. Just pictures. A recent field trip adventure to the Oregon Coast a la Ansel Adams.
King Estate
Eugene is located in the Willamette Valley in Oregon and has recently become the new Napa of the West Coast. People from all over travel to the Valley (um, like, totally) not just to go to the Olympic Trials for Track and Field or to check out Nike’s birthplace, but also to sip on Pinots (Pinot Noir, mainly) and to eat local and organic food (sounds heavenly right?). Due to the rainfall, climate, and soil, Eugene is a perfect location to grow pinot grapes. One of the most famous wineries of the area is King Estate, a premier wine company that distributes nationally.
Founded in 1991 by the King family, King Estate produces wines using organic & sustainable farming methods. It is located on 1,033 certified organic acres — including 460 acres of organic vineyards and 30 acres of fruits and vegetables produced for the vineyard restaurant. The rolling hills, open sky, and fresh air make King Estate an ideal location to spend an afternoon. It truly is heavenly. A dream day would be to ride my parent’s tandem bicycle (one of their three tandems) with my love (no trailer behind us with the kiddos), bike the 20 miles to King Estate, have a leisurely and filling meal, then bike back to Eugene. PERFECT day.
Track + Field Olympic Trials
With school out for the summer, I am in Oregon for the next two months with my parents and the kids, and Ken is going to be back and forth from New York. New York has the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Jets, and Giants. Eugene, Oregon has the Track and Field Olympic Trials! Eugene is actually known for its track (nickname: Tracktown, USA). It is the home of Prefontaine and is where Nike was born.
Even if you don’t love track (I do), watching Olympic Trials is pretty cool. Hundreds of athletes from around the U.S. come here after training for years. What transpires at Hayward Field determines if all of the blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice are worth it. Lots of emotion, suspense, drama, and great track and field. Enjoy the pics!