Out with the old and in with the new!

We cannot believe it's nearly mid-September already. Did August happen? We don't remember.

Last weekend Michael and I went to Crater Lake for three days. It was a freaking fantastic time. Rafting, cliff jumping, hiking, camping, bald eagles, and more! He will tell you all about it later this week. Meanwhile, it's time to tell you more about Eugene!

The weather finally turned here. We had two solid months without rain--everyday temperatures were in the mid-80s and we had blue skies. Not until our trip to Crater Lake did I see clouds (it had been weeks)! Today it is a sad 70 and misty. Eugenians call the mistyness "rain" and so when they say it "rains" for months it really means it's gray and foggy. One thing you see on a majority of bicycles are front and rear fenders. Not only do they make you look super cool, but they protect you from water spitting off the tires as you ride. And in this small city, where one bikes everywhere, that's important.

Eugene boasts nearly 90 miles of on-street bicycle lanes and 30 miles of off-street paths. The Willamette River intersects the town, but there are five bike bridges that span it. This is the most bicycle-friendly city I've ever lived in!

Prior to our move, both Michael and I enjoyed riding around Grand Rapids. But mostly just for leisure. My bike, Dmitri, is an old Schwinn road bike that weighs nearly what I do. I named it Dmitri (nerd alert) after the Karamazov brother who everyone suspects killed his father for, oh, 1000 pages. I suspected Dmitri would kill me too. The bike is that dodgy. Upon arriving in Eugene, after scoping out the size and accessibility of the city, I decided to buy a new hybrid bicycle: a KHS Urban Soul single-speed. Since I ride pretty much everywhere except work, I'm saving a ton on gas. I named it Alyosha (Al) after the faithful and devoted Karamazov brother. I'm trying to get Michael to name his bike Ivan. Speaking of, Michael just bought some road tires for his bike, so now he's all over town too! He even bikes to work.

Dmitri:

Alyosha:

So, with a little bit of sadness, I tell you that I am selling Dmitri. He's taking up space, giving me that wild eye, and not worth the time to maintain. I hope his new owner feels as MEH as I did about him.

Also kids, know that Michael and I wear helmets. And you should too!

Love from the west,

katie and michael