Back To Campus: Eugene's booming video gaming industry, weird yards and fighting the right. WEIRD YARDS OF EUGENE Prepare for the quirky in this fallbike tour of visual delights. Story and photos by Jess Tuerk So what if there's a lack of A list (or B or C or D list) celebs living in these parts of the woods? That doesn't mean you can't have fun driving or pedaling around to some of the more spectacular real estate in the area. Bundle up the little ones into the old bike trailer, pony up to the handlebars and take the Eugene Weekly tour of the best downtown homes you've never noticed — from a converted carriage house to the Himalayas in miniature, recycled garden sculpture to fairytale mural. Here are some of the wonderfully colorful, historical, aesthetically unique and downright weird habitations that Eugene has to offer, organized for your biking pleasure and convenience. Total distance: 5.25 miles. We recommend starting off downtown at the Downtown Library on 10th Avenue.   Teresa and Dave Chevront standin front of their home. Bowling and billiards trophies adorn every fencepost of Will Boise. Paul Otte's sculptures fill the yard. Naomi, Eliza, Avery McRae and Merrill Williams at Wheel Estate. Murals by Kiki Metzler Gary Hought's front yard Lawrence Birch's Bikepath Botanicals Dennis Ramsey's 20-foot prayer flag 1. House with Fewest Front Windows 10th and Lawrence First, cruise south past the singular home of Teresa and Dave Chevront. If something appears awry, you're right: The Chevront house has no front-facing windows, but for good reason: Its current residents have adapted and refurbished this late 19th century Smeed family carriage house into a quaint one-bedroom. The Chevronts have maintained the character and quirkiness of one of Eugene's oldest carriage houses, keeping features such as non-insulated original wooden walls, while managing to add homey details, including a sauna out back.   2. First Place Fence 15th and Lawrence Hanging a left at 15th, pedal past the fence that has won more bowling and women's billiards trophies then any fence ever built — OK, not really. But Will Boise, resident of 18 years and owner of the Pizza Research Institute just down the street, bought shiny gold trophies from area yard sales and nailed one atop each of eight fence posts. Much more fun than boring wrought iron.   3. Most InventiveLawn Sculpture 15th and Lincoln One needn't drive all the way to Portland to admire modern sculpture art. The inventive work of Paul Otte, a South African-born sculptor who has lived and worked in Eugene over 20 years, graces the property on the corner of 15th and Lincoln. More than 10 pieces dot the front and side of this tiny lot, including Otte's favorite piece, Hippopotamus and the Hand.   4. ExtraordinaryMural Work 22nd and Alder Ah, if only finding one's own soul mate were as simple as driving past the home of Sherwood and Jolaine Reese and their son, little Sherwood. The brightly painted, simple stucco home boasts two unexpected murals out front: The unusual "Soulmates" on Alder and the whimsical dragon on 22nd. Back in 2001, Reese family friend Kiki Metzler painted three fanciful murals for the family, incorporating representations of the Reese family into the work.   5. Best Home on Wheels 26th and Friendly Don't miss a real Eugene artifact parked in the driveway of the Williams family in the Friendly Neighborhood. The "Wheel Estate" mobile, a baby blue converted bus, was built by Artful, a veteran and long-time Eugene resident, and operated by him until he passed away last spring. You'll recognize it by the shingles and chimney atop. Upon Artful's death, the Williams family took possession of Wheel Estate as well as Artful's black cat, both of which they look after in loving remembrance.   6. Most Profound Wisdom Found in a Front Yard 24th and Monroe Eugene's a place that takes enormous pride in the fantastic — it is a place no ordinary pink flamingoes or ceramic gnomes will do. Riding north on Monroe, you can't ride past the home of Gary Hought without almost running head-on into the parked car in front of you. The cozy yellow house dons the traditional flamingo and more … much more. If you haven't already run off the road straining to read the signs, don't miss the dinosaur in the birdbath, koi windsock, and various ceramic mammals hiding out in the trees. And you just can't argue with the wisdom of the yard: "Make Tea, Not War."   7. Most Fruit and Vegetable Yielding Plants in a Front Yard 15th and Jefferson Cycle up Jefferson back to 15th and take a short pit stop to admire the gardens of Lawrence Birch. Bike Path Botanicals is a great place to hop off the bike, catch your breath and stretch the legs as you slowly meander down the sidewalk/orchard. Admire the political signage and count just how many varieties of flora grow. It's the Amazon Jungle of Eugene front lawns, but we think it looks terrific. Just don't pick the apples.   8. Most BeautifulFront Yard Memorial 5th and Tyler When you ride up the sidewalk to Dennis Ramsey's 5th Avenue bungalow, you might feel like you're approaching a faraway home in a land far removed from the streets of Eugene. Ramsey wanted his Eugene home to feel more familiar — more like Nepal, where he spent the past 20 years. The sidewalk is lined with jagged black slate in randomized patterns, reminiscent of the Himalayan peaks themselves. The rest of the yard is both simple and striking, combining the elements of color and texture to create an inviting and soothing scene. It is also the site of Eugene's tallest privately owned flagpole — Nepali style. The pole is a giant bamboo rod cut from the northwest Eugene residence in which Ramsey lived before venturing to Nepal. The red block-printed flag waves in tribute to a Nepalese friend who designed and printed the flag himself. Upon his friend's death this summer, Ramsey raised the flag above his yard to pay the friend homage.
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