Looking back into the archives, I realized that my first experience in Eugene was one of the first narratives of this blog. About one year ago, I was in Eugene, OR. And I returned from my second trip there less than a mere two days ago.
My experience this time around was different in pleasant ways yet familiar on all of the best ways possible. The skate scene (and the locals in general) are very open and accepting. They’re not yet jaded by implants like those to their north in Portland. And they’re not such a small town that outsiders are odd or threatening. I hate to use the adjective, “chill,” but it simply fits. The people are unassuming and easy-going, and the layout of the city reflects a place of progress while still showing a strong element of familiarity.
My objective this time around was different from the first. I was there to execute a Collegiate Skate Tour contest at WJ Skatepark, on May 21st, "College on Crete!” I’d said it so many times during promotion that it seems to be drilled into my brain still. It was the first northwest US event for the Tour, and I was excited to make it happen. Excited yet nervous, I knew it would all work out and that we’d put on a great event. With local partners like the County Sports Commission and Tactics, it’s hard to go wrong.
When we first arrived, I met up with a friend who, coincidentally enough, won the first ever Collegiate Skate Tour contest in Kentucky circa 2012. He’s from Michigan, where I was visiting Chris, the homies, and the OU crew on my way out to CA. And he now lives in Eugene, OR. Random. Shout out to you, Jesse! First thing’s first, man! We’re in lush Oregon, so we immediately walk to a taproom and enjoy wonderful local beer while catching up. I’m in Eugene with my girlfriend, so the three of us are chilling. But then, I have to make a meeting with Tactics for the event on Saturday, so I head out. Making a longer story shorter, the meeting went well, I got some work done on the laptop and headed out to meet up with the buds again. More beer, a little skating, and dinner. Then...
My experience this time around was different in pleasant ways yet familiar on all of the best ways possible. The skate scene (and the locals in general) are very open and accepting. They’re not yet jaded by implants like those to their north in Portland. And they’re not such a small town that outsiders are odd or threatening. I hate to use the adjective, “chill,” but it simply fits. The people are unassuming and easy-going, and the layout of the city reflects a place of progress while still showing a strong element of familiarity.
My objective this time around was different from the first. I was there to execute a Collegiate Skate Tour contest at WJ Skatepark, on May 21st, "College on Crete!” I’d said it so many times during promotion that it seems to be drilled into my brain still. It was the first northwest US event for the Tour, and I was excited to make it happen. Excited yet nervous, I knew it would all work out and that we’d put on a great event. With local partners like the County Sports Commission and Tactics, it’s hard to go wrong.
When we first arrived, I met up with a friend who, coincidentally enough, won the first ever Collegiate Skate Tour contest in Kentucky circa 2012. He’s from Michigan, where I was visiting Chris, the homies, and the OU crew on my way out to CA. And he now lives in Eugene, OR. Random. Shout out to you, Jesse! First thing’s first, man! We’re in lush Oregon, so we immediately walk to a taproom and enjoy wonderful local beer while catching up. I’m in Eugene with my girlfriend, so the three of us are chilling. But then, I have to make a meeting with Tactics for the event on Saturday, so I head out. Making a longer story shorter, the meeting went well, I got some work done on the laptop and headed out to meet up with the buds again. More beer, a little skating, and dinner. Then...
We found a nice AirBnB a few miles south, past downtown Eugene. After such a long day day of travel, business, and beer (oh yeah… and skating), Chloe and I called it a night and got to know our rental apartment cat while playing board games, listening to Drake and drinking Ninkasi. ’Twas a good night.
Waking up in Eugene was nice - we actually had some great weather! So it was about 68 and sunny. We got out to go do some errands for the contest after skating the skatepark, and I visited the shop to get new bearings and talk with the locals. Chloe’s knee was wrecked - she’s been learning how to skate - so she couldn’t join in skating unfortunately - but WJ was super fun and we got to skate the mini in the back at Tactics for a little while. At the end of Friday, since all of the packages for the contest had arrived, we put together prize packages for the next days’ contest while drinking… yes, again, beer.
That night, we found a cool barcade, played some pinball, and danced the night away. But not for too long! College On 'Crete was starting just the next morning. And the morning came up quickly. I woke up to an alarm clock that I usually snooze a few times. But there I was with Chloe, who’s used to farm life and its 6:00am rise & shine. So up we went. Preparation for the event was mostly complete, so the day of was pretty mellow. We set up for the event, went through it as planned, and everyone had a great time! We added a non-student division at the last minute so that all the homies could partake, but otherwise everything was exactly as planned.
Waking up in Eugene was nice - we actually had some great weather! So it was about 68 and sunny. We got out to go do some errands for the contest after skating the skatepark, and I visited the shop to get new bearings and talk with the locals. Chloe’s knee was wrecked - she’s been learning how to skate - so she couldn’t join in skating unfortunately - but WJ was super fun and we got to skate the mini in the back at Tactics for a little while. At the end of Friday, since all of the packages for the contest had arrived, we put together prize packages for the next days’ contest while drinking… yes, again, beer.
That night, we found a cool barcade, played some pinball, and danced the night away. But not for too long! College On 'Crete was starting just the next morning. And the morning came up quickly. I woke up to an alarm clock that I usually snooze a few times. But there I was with Chloe, who’s used to farm life and its 6:00am rise & shine. So up we went. Preparation for the event was mostly complete, so the day of was pretty mellow. We set up for the event, went through it as planned, and everyone had a great time! We added a non-student division at the last minute so that all the homies could partake, but otherwise everything was exactly as planned.
Following the event, I was emotionally and verbally exhausted (I was the MC). But after a few minutes alone and a bit of skating on my own, it was time for the after-party. We’d organized an after-party for the skaters of the contest at another barcade called Level Up in downtown Eugene. It was game time, especially since Tactics was providing drink tickets for all the contest skaters, VIPs, etc. We got to the bar just in time. Some of the first ones there with time to watch the rest file in. All the homies showed up, there’s a skate video mix being played on half of the televisions there, and everyone was having a great time. I talked business with some, skate nerd speak with others, and just crazy stories with a few more, including Chloe. And then word got out that the following day was my birthday… Let’s just say that I didn’t ask for it, but it ended up being a late, fun night in Eugene.
The birthday, a Sunday, was the definition of mellow. I was so excited to be offline and solo (just me and my girlfriend), just hanging out doing whatever came to mind. Waffles for brunch and a really nice dinner set to live bluegrass music. Those were the main highlights of a relaxing day. Also, I snagged a few pretty sweet gifts. :) Thanks Chloe!
The birthday, a Sunday, was the definition of mellow. I was so excited to be offline and solo (just me and my girlfriend), just hanging out doing whatever came to mind. Waffles for brunch and a really nice dinner set to live bluegrass music. Those were the main highlights of a relaxing day. Also, I snagged a few pretty sweet gifts. :) Thanks Chloe!
Monday, my last day in Eugene before heading back to Portland, I did the work thing at a coffee shop in the morning and then went to a local bar to have a hot toddy with Chloe. We got a buzz and walked it off... all the way to Skinner Butte Park for some hiking and a great view of Eugene in the valley.
Later in the day, we met up with Jesse again and hung out for a while. He was nice enough to offer up his living room floor for us to stay. We ended up going out to Bingo a the local hippie bar/music venue, which happened to be the same place we went for my birthday dinner. The hosts of Bingo at Sam Bond’s Garage, in true Eugene fashion, were spinning out on microdoses and saying funny shit accordingly. Ended up being yet another fun night. And with that, we were ready to trip back north to Portland the next day so that I could catch my plane back to LA.
It was bittersweet heading back “home” to Los Angeles after such a fulfilling experience in Oregon (mostly in Eugene). Life’s very different in a town than in a large city like LA, but I guess each has their perks. I’d been finding for a burrito, that’s for sure. LA has a lot to offer, but Eugene (and Oregon in general) also has so much greatness.
I will miss the lush growth of the state of Oregon, but I will be back soon enough! Three weeks till Portland again...
- 7Ply Epic
Later in the day, we met up with Jesse again and hung out for a while. He was nice enough to offer up his living room floor for us to stay. We ended up going out to Bingo a the local hippie bar/music venue, which happened to be the same place we went for my birthday dinner. The hosts of Bingo at Sam Bond’s Garage, in true Eugene fashion, were spinning out on microdoses and saying funny shit accordingly. Ended up being yet another fun night. And with that, we were ready to trip back north to Portland the next day so that I could catch my plane back to LA.
It was bittersweet heading back “home” to Los Angeles after such a fulfilling experience in Oregon (mostly in Eugene). Life’s very different in a town than in a large city like LA, but I guess each has their perks. I’d been finding for a burrito, that’s for sure. LA has a lot to offer, but Eugene (and Oregon in general) also has so much greatness.
I will miss the lush growth of the state of Oregon, but I will be back soon enough! Three weeks till Portland again...
- 7Ply Epic