The Butt

It's not easy to get lost in Eugene. Eugene is a small town and the streets are numbered. One is either driving down a number or a president. But still, we're new and we have moments of complete confusion. The other day we drove in a big circle around western Eugene. It was like the movie where that pitiful dude is lost in the woods and spends an entire day walking south. Or so he thinks until he ends up back at his camp where his fire is still smoldering. It was just like that, except our campfire was a Target. Anyways, it's hard to get turned around, but when we do I look for Spencer's Butte. It's a 2055 ft. butte on the southern edge of the city. I immediately started calling it the Butt because, hey, it's funny.

Tonight Michael and I climbed Spencer's Butte. It was not a long hike, only .6 of a mile to the top, but it gains 800 feet of elevation in that .6 of a mile. The view from the top was incredible. We could see down into the Willamette Valley and over to the Three Sisters. We plan to hike the Butt once a week or so. And once Michael's parents arrive with his bike later this month we'll ride the six miles to the trail head, hike up, then cycle back. See, we're training for our fall summit attempt at the South Sister, a 10,300 foot mountain close to Bend. The hike will be difficult, 11 miles and 4900 feet of elevation gain. But that's why we moved out here.

During our descent, which really was us stumbling awkwardly down steep rock faces, we saw a doe. She was fifteen feet or less from us and unconcerned. She ate some leaves and looked at us and ate some leaves then walked away. We also saw many vultures at the summit. I swear one was gunning for me but she realized I was a just bit bigger than she could manage. Or perhaps she thought I was near death, a misinterpretation I would not criticize her for. They were neat because they caught the updrafts from the butte and soared for long stretches.

Here are some pictures from the Butt:

Want to know one of the COOLEST things about Oregon? There are no mosquitoes. None. We hike and sit outside at night and play by rivers without consequence. So come visit us.

Thanks for reading!

kt (and M)