Eugene

For Christmas Flynn and I were each given a companion coupon for Amtrak. So we used one coupon to take a weekend trip down to Eugene, Oregon.

After running a bunch of errands we got back to the apartment to start packing and get ready to go. The train was scheduled to leave at 2:20p and it was already 1p. I got our tickets out and discovered we only had our RETURN tickets! I called Amtrak and and was on the phone for 30min only to get no where. In the mean time Flynn and I packed and called a cab. I figured that if we went to the station we could beg our way on to the train even though it was sold out.

The cab came at 2p and by this time, I'm stressed to the max. I'm frustrated and tired and almost ready to throw in the towel. This was supposed to be a fun relaxing weekend away and so far it's been nothing but a headache! Oh! And while in the cab and double checking things on my iPhone I discovered that the B&B we had reservations at had a cat. Flynn is very allergic to cats and having one in the house would have made for a miserable weekend. So that just added to the stress.

We get to the train station at about 2:15p, but luckily there is no line at the ticket counter. The train is sold out but I told the guy, "I need to get on that train!" so we spoke with the conductor and got the OK to oversell the train. I get my ticket just in time only to realize the guy didn't give Flynn one! So after another minute we both have tickets and do our best speed walk to the train. As soon as we get on the train starts moving. Once we have our seats, I'm finally able to relax.

From there all we have left to do is decide what to do about the B&B/cat situation. I called the B&B and the owner said that because it's such short notice they have to charge us for that night, but if we wanted to find another place for Saturday night they would let us off the hook for that night. After hanging up I do some more searching on my iPhone and talk with Flynn. Then we decide that we are going to just have to eat the night at the cat B&B and get two nights at a new B&B. I call back the cat B&B and then book the new B&B. After the train tickets and now the B&B situation this trip is starting to cost a lot more than I had anticipated.

Now that the we have the B&B situation under control, I'm able to relax and enjoy the ride. I take a nap, play some games on my iPhone, chat with Flynn, and enjoy the view. It was a nice ride, but we were both happy to be off the train after the seven hour ride to Eugene. After walking off the train, I used the GPS on my phone to guide us the few short blocks to our B&B. As we walked up I immediately loved it! It was very cute and had lights all the way up the walk way. It was very inviting. When we got checked in the innkeeper upgraded us to a bigger room with a jacuzzi tub. Yay! After taking a minute to set down our bags we headed back a few blocks to the Steelhead brewery for dinner and drinks. I had a delicious orange wheat beer. Yum. Then we went back to the B&B to bed.

Saturday morning we got up at the crack of dawn... well not quite. The alarm went off at 9a and we went to breakfast at 9:30a. The B&B served delicious home made scones, frittatas, and fresh fruit. It was a great breakfast and I felt satisfied but not stuffed afterwards. After a long leisurely breakfast Flynn and I headed back to our room to get ready for the day. Since we didn't have a plan for the day we just decided to start walking and see where we ended up. We walked for a couple hours and along the way came across a local theater. They were putting on a production of The Producers that night so we bought tickets for dinner and the show later that night. We found a yummy Thai restaraunt for lunch then headed back to our room. The rain held off until we started our walk back then started to drizzle. By the time we got to our room it was full on raining. We took a nice nap then got ready for dinner and the show. The Producers is one of the first movies Flynn and I watched as a couple last year and we were both really excited to see Eugene's interpretation. We had a tasty dinner and good seats and the show was hilarious. It was a great night!

On Sunday morning we had to get up really early (7a) had another amazing breakfast. Then we hustled back to the room to back and get ready for the day. The train was pulling out at 9a and we didn't leave the room until 8:45a. I love trains because they don't have security checks. You can just walk right on, no wait. It's great! We got our seats and settled in to enjoy another relaxing train ride. I had thought we were going to get in to Seattle at 6p, but we actually got in at 4p which meant that we had a lot of day left! We vegged out at home, had some teriyaki, and had a nice relaxing evening.

Even though it started off really rocky we ended up having a wonderful weekend. Yay! In a couple weeks we are going to use the other Amtrak coupon and head north to Vancouver BC for another get away weekend. Fingers cross that one goes off without any hitches.