Eugene

DINING
Bombay Palace: If you like Indian food, this place is really good. It's located near the University of Oregon campus on a little street that had several intriguing places. Try the Chicken Tikka Masala. It was excellent. Your best bet is to go with a group and order a bunch of different dishes so you can sample them all.

Howling Coyote Barbecue: Howling Coyote is located about a block from the Courtyard Marriott where most trainers stay. They bill themselves as having "Authentic Texas Barbecue." As an authentic Texan, I'm not so sure about that claim. In fact, if anything, Howling Coyote seems to try to offer several styles of barbecue, including St. Louis ribs (dry rub seasoning), Texas-style (slathered in barbecue sauce) and Carolina-style pulled pork. I had a brisket sandwich, which was pretty good, even if it was unusually topped with cheese. I can assure you. No self-respecting Texan would put cheese on a barbecue sandwich. Howling Coyote also offers several different types of barbecue sauces, including one that has espresso in it. It was intriguing if a tad on the runny side. According to Patrick Kendall, you can find better barbecue at a place called Hole in the Wall.

Cafe Yum: If you ask Cortney Burton, this is the only place to eat in Eugene. It's a local "vegen" chain, although you can get turkey and chicken. They specialize in what they call Yum bowls, which are basically rice bowls. Not too bad, if you like that healthy crap.

BJ's Pizza and Grill: I don't know if this is a chain. It's a microbrewery, and the salad I had was OK. Pizza looked acceptable, but nothing special.

Roaring River Pizza: I didn't pay much attention when I walked into this place and placed my order. After I sat down, though, I realized it was sort of a Chuck E. Cheese knock-off. If I hadn't paid for my pizza already, I would have bolted. In the end, though, the pizza turned out pretty good. It had sun-dried tomatoes, Feta cheese and chicken. I found out later that the real attraction of the place is dining out back where you can look out over the river and watch the Osprey soar.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
If you have time, you HAVE to make the drive from Eugene to Florence on the coast. It's about 65 miles away, but the drive through the coastal range is spectacular. The road twists and turns through beautifully forested hills. I made the trip when all the leaves were changing, and I felt like I was filming a car commercial. Oregon is not like other mountainous forest areas I've been to. Because of all the rain they receive, everything is lush and green. It seems to be teeming with life. Wild ferns grow out of the sides of hills, and don't be surprised to see tree trunks completely covered in an algae-like moss.

Toward the end of the journey, the road meets up with and follows the Siuslaw River, a beautiful river, parts of which are like glass. The river goes all the way to the ocean where it meets up with the powerful Pacific. Florence has a little area called Bay Street that features some nice shops and restaurants right on the river. Other trainers have recommended checking out Sea Lion Caves and the lighthouse just north of there.