Back in the car today, but only for a short while as we drive to visit A's childhood home, meet up with an old friend, and then head on up to Portland for more fun and revelry.

We got an early start and left before anyone was up, as A strongly dislikes goodbyes. As we round through the back country roads to Eugene, A told me funny stories of growing up and playing with the neighborhood kids, filled with the typical adventures akin to devilish, rambunctious boys.

We then popped onto the University of Oregon's campus so I could see the infamous Hayward stadium where Steve "Pre" Prefontaine once made his mark, and where the US Olympic Track and Field trials will be held in the beginning of July. Pristine and beautiful, the eight red lanes, each 400 meters long, hold a magic for any die-hard runner.

What struck me most was the abundant amount of bikes on the campus! It was crazy, as if every person on campus owns or rides a bike, which is definitely not the case back east or at Syracuse.
   
Afterwards, we grabbed some quick lunch at the Glenwood, one of the U of O's most prized eateries.  We then hit the road again to meet up with Dave and Russ in Portland. We arrived just in time for some afternoon coffee at the Stump, which juiced us up for a lengthy browse around Powell's Bookstore, the biggest book store in the US. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't remember the name of the book I really wanted, and apparently failed to describe it accurately, so I left empty-handed. 

Hungry and in need of a drink, we headed to a local pub and eatery for some snacks and a cold beer. Laughter and jokes started to roll as the consumption of wheat and honey drafts poured in. Dressed in a snazzy cocktail dress, black heels, trendy sunglasses, and donning an increasingly sloshed brain, the Portland landscape was looking pretty damn appetizing. It wouldn't be a bad place to crash a bit of time, strike up some friends, while discovering the hidden gems of the city.

After multiple vodka gimlets, games of pool, and a shot or two, the night proved to be one of the more memorable on the road trip. A and I both realized how good it was to be back in the company of friends, even if just for a short time.  Note to self: even in future galavantings around the world, don't lose touch with good people.

And while I may be sleeping on a couch for the hundredth time, it look as pretty appealing at the moment, and beats the bumpy earth floor.