10 Things Only People From Eugene Understand

1. People In Eugene Don’t Fully Believe The Sun Exists

In Eugene the sun is the only mythological creature that has more dubious sightings than Bigfoot. The city gets, on average, 209 cloudy days a year, so the idea of counting on a sunny day is something these folks get over very quickly.

2. And No One Remembers The Last Time They Used An Umbrella

Everyone in the country knows that Oregon is usually overcast and gets a lot of rain year-round. What they might not realize is that people in Oregon, particularly Eugene, don’t mind the rain at all. There’s no easier way to spot a tourist than the umbrella they’re carrying. Eugenians might use umbrellas, if rain only fell from the sky. But they know much better: Puddles, gutters, cars passing by. You may as well wear floaties walking to work. They’d do better than umbrellas.

3. The Weekend Hasn’t Really Arrived Until Eugenians Hit Up The Saturday Market

Eugene just wouldn’t be the same without Saturday Market. Eugenians can’t imagine a world without this weekly phenomenon of being overwhelmed by food choices, finding the hippiest of hippie crafts or joining a drum circle. It’s quintessential Eugene. Another reason Eugenians love the Saturday Market? Everything that’s sold there was made by the seller. Zero middlemen. Not only can you support local industry, but you can meet the people who make it all happen.

4. Frog Is Eugene’s Hometown Hero

Nobody embodies the Eugene counterculture quirkiness and crunchiness quite like Frog—the friendliest, funniest guy in Eugene, possibly (probably) the world. He’s always down to chat about whatever you like and loves jokes. Eugenians who are in a hurry to get somewhere, though, know the best way to let him down easy: They tell him they already have his books. Which, if we’re being real here, they probably actually do.

5. Everyone In Eugene Carries An Allergy Pharmacy In The Spring

There are very few things in life that are as certain as getting allergies in Eugene. The only way to avoid them is to seal yourself in a plastic bubble for… well, it can feel like the whole year, but it’s worst in the spring. And you know that no matter how gross the yearly attack of allergenic rhinitis might be making you feel now, it’ll pass eventually. Everyone’s going through it together. And someone’s always got an extra Claritin to keep you going if you’re feeling a little low.

6. Every Eugenian’s Shoe Rack Is Full Of Birkenstocks And Nike Swooshes

The stereotype about the crazy Birkenstocks love in Eugene is 100 percent accurate. They’ll wear them just about anywhere. But not everywhere, since these folks also love the footwear that’s probably about as opposite to Birkenstocks as possible: Nike. Besides running being a huge hobby, the pride runs so deep because that iconic Nike swoosh and Nike itself were both founded in Eugene. So whether they’re wearing the best durable sandals available or “just doing it,” either way they’re classic Eugene.

7. Folks In Eugene Know Getting A Card Has Nothing Do With Birthdays

Marijuana still hasn’t been officially legalized in Oregon yet, but Eugenians with the right doctor connection and the right affliction know that won’t stop them. Eugene is more accepting of weed culture than most cities for a number of reasons—besides the drug-friendly hippies and the general left-winged-ness, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act has made it a lot easier for Eugenians to get their hands on it.

8. The ’60s Never Really Left Eugene

Eugene might be the hippiest place in all of America, bar none. You only need to consider all the Birkenstock retailers, vegetarian restaurants like Laughing Planet, the stunning SLUG Queen and maybe walk across the University of Oregon’s campus to know this infallible truth. Or at least, see that Eugene is the most welcoming city to counterculturists and Ken Kesey fans. And if you’ve ever been to the Oregon Country Fair, you already agree with me.

9. Everyone In Eugene Has An Awesome Story From Skinner Butte

Eugene has no shortage of awesome parks in the city, but Skinner Butte is the easiest to get to, has the most to do for the widest set of people and is just the best. There’s all kinds of fun to be had in the area. You’ve probably made your own speedy descent more than once. Eugenians love taking their kids to the awesome playground, and the adventurous ones have rock climbed up the hexagonal cliff face. It’s basically a rite of passage in this town. And those sunsets? Come on.

10. Eugenians All Channel Their Inner Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine is arguably the most famous Duck ever, and his inspiring legacy is alive and well in Eugene. Besides the trail named for the man himself, everyone in Eugene runs like they’re trying to catch up with him. Maybe it’s the super clean air, the variety of trails around the city and the fact that you are never short a running buddy (seriously, everyone runs in Eugene) that make this city Tracktown, USA. Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about Eugene in the comments below!