Today was a good day. After waking up to a crisp 2°C temperature and frost on the motel roof, we headed to breakfast. We had seen signs up and down I-5 for the Black Bear Diner, so we decided to try it for breakfast. Not only did it look like a nice place to eat, but it was conveniently located between our motel and the onramp to the I-5. We had a great waitress, and we both thoroughly enjoyed what we ate. After breakfast, while I was waiting to pay, I looked at the souvenirs that they had for sale. They had cute black bear souvenirs, but they also had some from the “State of Jefferson“. I heard of this “state” when I watched the show How The States Got Their Shape, and think it’s the coolest thing that I was actually there.
After breakfast we headed north up the I-5 and stopped in Grants Pass to check the hotel we stayed at on Day 2, to see if my mum’s nightie was in the lost and found…it was. We grabbed gas and coffee and then continued back on our way, and stopped in Eugene for a picnic lunch. We drove to Skinner Butte Park and had leftovers while watching some Western Scrub Jays play in the nearby trees. (I was able to get some good pictures but will post when I’m less tired). One of the leftovers that we had was the English Muffin from Model Bakery – it was a very good baked good, but it was NOT, by any stretch of the imagination, a true English Muffin.
After our picnic, we headed back to the Interstate and north to Salem, where we checked into our hotel and relaxed before dinner. I had originally planned on going to Willamette Valley Grill, but we decided that it wasn’t what we were in the mood for. On a whim, I googled the Outback Steakhouse and was tickled pink to see there was one close to the hotel. I realize that this is a Food Network tour, but I absolutely LOVE a blooming onion and haven’t been able to find one elsewhere; and unfortunately no longer live anywhere close to an Outback since the only Canadian locations are Edmonton and Niagara Falls.
We went to the Outback, I got my blooming onion and Alice Springs Chicken and my mum got steak – now we have leftovers for tomorrows picnic. After dinner we headed down to the State Capitol to take a short walk around the park and, of course, take tons of pictures. (I will post some soon, I promise). After the Capitol we came back to the hotel, did some wiki research and now, blissfully, going to bed.
Talk to you tomorrow.
L
Update: Pictures included below
Eugene from Skinner Butte
Oregon Pioneer on top of Capitol – Salem, OR
Western Scrub Jay – Skinner Butte Park
Western Scrub Jay – Skinner Butte Park
Mount Shasta – Yreka, CA
Oregon State Capitol – Salem, OR
I’m glad you had a good day. 🙂 The Black Bear Diner sounds cool and I was interested to hear your take on the English muffin.
I’ve never had a blooming onion. It’s on my list of things I want to try though. Found a recipe for Alice Springs Chicken on Pinterest the other day. Might be worth a try.