naked cougars?

written june 12, 2009:

"This is the first time I've seen a girl naked before I knew her name," the hitch hiker said to me and Georgia as we stood at the river edge cooling off from the McCready Hot Springs. We took the hour drive to several hot springs with several co-opers: Nick, Monica, Chris, and Steve. Nick replaced Martha as our human GPS, complete with a sudo-Scottish accent. I honestly would have believed anything he "taught" us while he was speaking with the accent.

About 2 minutes outside of Eugene, we came across Thomas the hitcher. Since I was driving we didn't get properly introduced hence the awkward comment at the McCready river. But I later found out that he is a 26 year old kid from Fort Collins, CO and was traveling because he needed a little adventure but didn't have any money. He squeezed in the back with everybody and decided to postpone going to Sacramento for a day so he could accompany us to the McCready and Cougar Hot Springs.

When we finally arrived at the 1st Hot Spring, McCready, I had no idea what I was in store for. When they said "clothing optional," it is only a figure of speech. Monica was the first to strip down and the rest of us quickly followed. I kept my cool, which was especially difficult with no recent shaving, showers are hard when you are on the road. But I immediately got over my fear of nudity and found it quite enjoyable. We would sit in the hot pools as long as possible, then run to the icy river, dunk in and return for another round. Georgia, Monica and I even went for a naked hike, which, if you haven't experienced, I highly advise it. I felt like we were forest nymphs, and it was a little rainy, which made it that more exciting. Wearing clothes is so overrated.

After a quick snack of soggy rain bread, we headed for the second hot spring, Cougar. Although, we had to pay $5 each to get in, it was totally worth it. The pools were deeper, and the perfect temperature. We didn't have the same privacy that we did at McCready but we could stretch out and fully submerge in the steamy pools. There were 6 old hippie men, complete with pot bellies and long beards. They were nice enough, almost too talkative, but I didn't feel compromised since there were so many of us.

THE EUGENE SATURDAY MARKET

With a final attempt of riding the Lorax tandem bicycle resulting with massive bruising on our inner thighs, Georgia and I decided to find a different means of transportation to the Eugene Saturday Market. The festivities were very bustling. There were tons of families, artists, musicians, great food, and hippies of all kinds. The market was separated into 4 sections. there was the craft center which sported hand made goods, produce ally providing every kind of organic vegetable imaginable, live music/prepared food booths with tons of vegan options, and the ganja corner where one could find the finest hand blown glass pipes--this is were the stoners and travelers hung out, played hacky sack and beat on drums. We both got some ethnic food for brunch and splurged on some local strawberries...mmmm.

As much as I am enjoying Eugene and all the people we have met here, I feel it is time to go. I am excited to see new things and learn about organic farming. There is only so lo9ng it is fun to stay temporarily in someone else's permanent home. Thanks everyone at the Lorax and Campbell Club for a great week!