Winter Rays

Caitlin H.

January 24, 2010 - 9:42 AM

What a beautiful day in Eugene yesterday! I woke up and the sun cascading through my living room window felt absolutely glorious. In the time I have lived in Eugene, visitors have never failed to ask me, "What about the weather? Doesn't it just rain there all the time?" Stunning mornings like Saturday remind me of my not-so-well-kept secret - Eugene is breathtakingly beautiful. Sure it rains from time to time. But after a morning like Saturday, a person starts to understand just how lovely a place this is.

Naturally, since the weather was so perfect my mind raced instantly to all the wonderful explorations I was bubbling over to experience. A day like this called for a trip to the Oregon coast for an afternoon, or a hike up the butte, a day of Frisbee in the park, or at least a million other things I'm not healthy enough to do yet. It was frustrating. However, I am so blessed. I had a friend who knew just the right medicine.

Late in the afternoon as the sun was beginning to set a friend drove me to the top of Skinner's Butte where you can stand and look over the city of Eugene. We passed several rock climbers taking advantage of the great weather for an afternoon escapade as we made our way to the summit. I'll admit, a tinge of jealousy coursed through me; my heart was aching for the chance to have an adventure. However, the opportunity to escape the four walls of my apartment and breathe some fresh air was a welcome relief. As it turns out, the outlook became something of a history lesson as well.

Little did I know, for almost 20 years a small observatory built by the University of Oregon stood on this site, made to look like a mini replica of Villard Hall. It was just a small little thing designed with the purpose of studying astronomy. There was an informational display at the site to read which I enjoyed. In the 1920s a small viewing platform was placed where the building once stood, and in 1953 was expanded to what it is today. In 1997 the Rotary Club of Eugene spent some time renovating the area and dedicating it to the Eugene Skinner family.

The view as the sun started to fall on the horizon was phenomenal, but there was still a little bit of sunshine left for one more jaunt before it was time to go home. Hendricks Park was calling to me. My friend and I jumped back into the car for the short drive across the city to see the early blooms before daylight left us entirely. By spring Hendricks Park will be teeming with life as the rhododendrons come into full bloom. But at this time in the season, there are just a few blossoms starting to come to life. I'm anxious to be back out and exploring the park in its full beauty later in the season, but for now, it did me good just to experience a small part of it.

Early Blossoms at Hendricks Park