Our adventures with Flat Brendan

We got a visitor on Tuesday, February 22nd. Flat Brendan, from Blacksburg, Virginia, came to us by way McAllen, Texas where he was visiting with the Crossler family. We'll spend a couple days showing him around Eugene, Oregon and then send him on to someone else. After a whirlwind trip he is due back in Virginia no later than March 21st. I wish I could just squeeze into the envelope and travel along with him!

Today we braved the cold wind to visit the following locations:

• Sheldon Branch of the Eugene Public Library
• Autzen Stadium
• The Science Factory
• Opus VII - An art, architecture, design and social venue
• Burrito Amigos
  
• MacArthur Court
• Hayward Field
  
• William W. Knight Law Center at the University of Oregon
• Prince Puckler's Ice Cream
• Matthew Knight Arena - U of O's new basketball arena

Our first stop was the Sheldon Branch Library where we picked up a bunch of books we had on hold; many of them about art and music. We got a picture of Brendan with some books. (I thought it so appropriate that they had a book titled The New Friend right on the top shelf.)



We stopped by Autzen Stadium (home of the Oregon Duck football team, #3 in the nation after losing the BCS Bowl to Auburn University) just to get a picture out front. Then we headed across the street to The Science Factory. I'll bet you don't have a building painted like this in your neighborhood. It was shocking when they first painted it, but now I've grown to like it.

(You can click here to see a picture of the whole building.)

We headed downtown to hit an art gallery, the Opus VII. This was our fist visit since they reopened with their new name and concept. I was impressed! The lady working there was super nice and let us take photos of Flat Brendan and also told us about some of the neat programs they have.

(Levi & Flat Brendan in front of a work by Marcio Diaz)

By this time we were pretty hungry so we headed over to Burrito Amigos on Hilyard for some lunch. It was delicious!

We stopped by MacArthur Court to get a picture of Brendan in front of the U of O's former basketball stadium. Their teams played in that stadium for 80 years. Our family has been to several games there over the years.



While in that area we got some photos in front of Hayward Field, the home of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Track and Field Trials.




From there we walked across the street to the William W. Knight Law Center to see a display of photographs by a Portland artist. While there, we introduced Flat Brendan to our friend, Mr. Seno, the Assistant Dean of Admissions.

We then walked about 4 blocks up Agate Street to Prince Puckler's Ice Cream parlor, where President Obama had mint chip ice cream while he was here in 2008 on a campaign visit. (You can see a picture here.) By now we were getting a little tired so we headed home by way of the new Matthew Knight Arena, home of the Oregon Duck basketball teams.





Flat Brendan is now resting and Levi is anxiously awaiting the snow which has been forecast for this afternoon/evening. You know, I think I'm a little tired too. I better go rest.

Sharon