if i grow up...

I’m never going to grow up and be something with all these distractions around! I have too many choices!


First were the tall ships. KT and I drove down to Coos Bay, another of the small coastal towns near here with a river outlet to the Pacific. Moored in the harbor were two historic sailing vessels, the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain. Although these ships have diesel engines, they are built with masts and rigging to be wind-powered under sail. The ships sail up and down the West Coast, pulling into the harbors to offer educational tours and sometimes short cruises.

At Coos Bay, there was an hour-long opportunity to climb on board and see the ships while asking questions of the costumed crew. Later that evening, a “battle” cruise was offered. This means people could pay $60 for a three hour sail up and down the river’s mouth while the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain fired their canons back and forth. I suppose they were also maneuvering under sail in an impressive fashion, but it just looked slow to me.


Upon talking to three of the deckhands, we discovered that these ships take on volunteers at different times of the year. Total landlubbers can pony up $500 for a two week cruise. But this isn’t just a pleasure cruise: volunteers are literally taught the ropes. After a full immersion program, the new recruits have the opportunity to volunteer for another go ‘round with more responsibilities. After some time, participants have gained enough experience to apply for jobs aboard these vessels, or others in the tall ship community. One deckhand was planning to sign on with a tug boat company—work six months on, then crew on a tall ship again during his six months off. Not a bad set-up.

These ships didn’t hold half the draw, however, as the city of Eugene. Oregon’s second or third largest city (apparently, it changes on a regular basis), is just small enough to be manageable. Very bike friendly, this town is flat enough to be laid out in a grid with plenty of parks and trails wide enough for pedestrians and cyclists to share. Eugene prides itself on its liberalism and progressive viewpoints, and the Eugene Weekly (the town’s free culture and event guide) contains a large section dedicated to political discussion and local affairs. The Willamette River runs through the center of town and is lined on both sides with a public green. Citizens are even discussing turning the old Mill Stream, a small creek that winds through the city, into a kayak path to the Willamette. Just off the river is another park that encompasses Skinner’s Butte, an abrupt hill on top of which is a reservoir for the city. The butte itself holds several hiking trails up it’s wooded sides, lookouts of the city from the top, and even a small series of columnar rock formations that make a popular climbing park for residents.. South of Skinner’s Butte and near the center of town is the University of Oregon and plenty of affordable housing options. Apartments can run as low as $350 and several families list rooms and small apartments for rent in their own homes. The downtown offers several businesses, restaurants and shops. Several farmer’s markets spring up during the growing season, owing in part to the number of organic farms that have surrounded Eugene since before they came into vogue in the rest of the country. The rest of Oregon’s great outdoors aren’t far from the city limits, either—just outside of Eugene are plenty of kayaking waters, public campgrounds, and a short drive to the Pacific coast or Portland. I quite think I’d like to call this town home for a while.

But first, as KT keeps reminding me: ALASKA!