Welcome to 4135 Alder St. in Eugene, Oregon!
We hope you'll find here everything you need to know during your stay. If not, please contact us through the Airbnb, VRBO, or Furnished Finder app and let us know how this page could be made more helpful.
Safety
- Thermostat: the thermostat for the heating and A/C is at the bottom of the stairs on the wall of the downstairs hallway.
- Smoking: if you smoke, please do so outside. There is a bench on the entry bridge, adirondack chairs on the downstairs back patio, and seating on the upstairs balcony off of the dining room.
- Fire Extinguishers: there are two fire extinguishers, one located under the kitchen sink, and another in the downstairs family room laundry closet.
- Lights: light switches throughout the home have been labeled so you can easily tell which switches turn on which lights. The street light automatically comes on at dusk and turns of at dawn.
- Don't Flush Toilets While People are in the Shower! due to the old plumbing in the house, if someone flushes a toilet, the shower water will momentarily become scalding.
- Breakers: the breaker box is located in the basement. Please contact us through Airbnb if a breaker has tripped and needs to be reset and we will give you a code to the basement door.
- Cleaning Supplies: if you make a mess, there are cleaning supplies in the laundry closet in the family room (downstairs).
- Cameras: there are security cameras located at the doorbell, and outside the downstairs french doors to prevent intrusion, one watching the front yard, and one in the back. There is also a roof camera watching the street. Video clips can be provided in the unlikely event there were an issue during your stay.
- Weather: there is a weather station on the roof, and an electronic display for real time information in the Living Room upstairs, or you can access from your phone. If you need to check road conditions, visit: https://tripcheck.com
- Wildlife: if you're arriving with your furry friend, be aware that we get deer in the yard, as well as turkeys, squirrels, and the occasional raccoon.
- Pests: we have Aptive Environmental pest control for our home in the trees to try and keep the bugs in the forest where they belong and out of the house, but occasionally ants or other insects may get in. Please advise us immediately if there is a concern and we will address ASAP.
Arriving
- Parking: there are two parking spots on the carport, and parking spots along the curb in front of the house.
- Front Door: tap the keypad icon above the handle with your finger to light the keypad, then punch in the key code that was sent to you through Airbnb, finally, press the pound/hash button. The door should say, "unlocked." Important: the door automatically locks after 5 seconds, so press down on the handle quickly or you will need to re-enter your door code. Video example here.
- WiFi: the WiFi SSID is "Polar Bear's Den" and the password is 5415540432
- No Shoes in the House Please: living in a forest, it is impossible to keep pine needles and dirt off of the carpets, so we ask that you take your shoes off as you come inside. Shoes can be left inside or outside of the front door, or in the cubbys in the hallway closet in the entryway if you prefer. There are Crocs by each of the exterior doors you can slip on if you want for a quick trip outside and back. Thanks!
Local Attractions
- Where to Eat:
- Shopping:
- Things to do:
- Walking/hiking: Spencer's Butte, it's that big mountain you can see from all over town. Skinner's Butte, easy walking with some views, right downtown by the river. Owen Rose Garden, beautiful flowers and an ancient cherry tree, plus miles of walking or biking along the river. Hendrick's Park, beautiful rhododendron garden plus a picnic area and walking trails in the trees.
- Running: the Amazon Running Trail is just four blocks down the hill. Go for a run, it's Track Town USA afterall ;)
- Dog Park: Amazon Dog Park with off-leash areas for large and small dogs is a long walk or short drive away.
- Kayaking: if you've got a truck or luggage rack, strap our kayaks on and go for a paddle down the Willamette River from here to here, at Fern Ridge (Perkins Peninsula Park, or Orchard Point), or Dexter Lake.
- Eugene Weekly Calendar: see what's going on around town.
- Autzen Stadium: see a Ducks game?
- Hult Center: lots of music, comedy, and more.
- The Cuthbert Amphitheater: amazing outdoor venue, weather permitting.
- WOW Hall: a small music venue.
- Very Little Theater: nearby community nonprofit theater company.
- King Estate Winery: our favorite local winery of Loraine Valley. You can make a wine tour of it by also visiting Sweet Cheeks, Iris, Chateau Lorane, and many more!
Living Room (upstairs)
- French Doors: there are french doors leading out to the balcony. There are buttons on the interior knobs to lock them from the inside, but they cannot be opened from outside when they are locked.
- Fireplace: you are welcome to use the fireplace, but be sure to open the damper before you do! (see video here). There is wood and kindling next to the fireplace, and extra wood in a covered hutch on the patio outside the french doors (this thing). The wood holder by the fireplace doubles as a carrier; the cloth part can be detached to get wood from outside if needed.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices on the outlet on the counter in this room (picture here).
- Board Games: are in the cabinets and drawers in the living room (picture).
- Christmas Cactus: the plant in this room is over thirty years old and on an automatic watering system; you may hear the pump come on.
Dining Room (upstairs)
- Table: the bench in the hallway can be used to seat six around the table.
- French Doors: there are french doors leading out to the balcony. There are buttons on the interior knobs to lock them from the inside, but they cannot be opened from outside when they are locked.
- Trash & Recycling: there are separate labeled bins for trash vs. recycling in the dining room by the french doors. This brochure shows what items can be recycled in Eugene.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices on the outlets on the counter in this room (picture here).
- Countertop Appliances: In one of the cabinets under the counter is a blender, and a crock pot, should you need.
- Dog, Squirrel & Bird Food: there are dog water & food dishes in the left most cabinet by the windows in this room. (picture here). If you like feeding the squirrels & birds as much as we do, you'll also find peanuts and corn cobs there that you can put out on the patio.
Kitchen (upstairs)
- Counter Lights: there is a switch that turns on the lighting under the cabinets. It's left of the coffee maker if you look up under the cabinets.
- Counter Outlets: there are plug outlets under the cabinets if you stoop and look up under the cabinets.
Primary Bedroom (upstairs)
- Nightstand Lights: twist the knob on the base of these lights to turn them on. There are USB ports for charging your devices at the base of these lights.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices at the base of the lights on the nightstands.
- Adjustable Bed: the king size bed has two remotes, one for each side, located on either night stand. There is a manual in the drawer of one of the night stands if you need.
- TV: There is a TV with a Chromecast on the wall for viewing from the bed. Turn on the TV first, and tap the Home button on the Chromecast remote to power it on. Control the volume with the TV remote. The HDHomerun app installed on the Chromecast also plays local channels from an antenna on the roof. Both remotes will be on one of the nightstands.
- Blinds: the blackout blinds are cordless, just push up or pull down on the bottom of each to raise or lower them to the desired height.
- Laundry: There is a laundry hamper in the closet if you need, and there is laundry closet with a washer and dryer in the Family Room (downstairs).
- Luggage Racks: There are two luggage racks for your suitcases, one in each closet in this room.
- Balcony: There is a private balcony off of this bedroom with a table and chairs. A great place for a morning cup of coffee, or to escape the kids or other guests :)
Primary Bathroom (upstairs)
- Shower: it's narrow, we know :)
- Wall Heater: the knob to turn it on is at it's base, but please be sure to turn it off when you're done!
Hall Closet (upstairs)
- Space Heater & Fan: there is a portable heater and fan on the shelf, in case it is too cold or hot in a room you are in.
- Spare coat and umbrella: are in this closet if you forgot yours. It's Oregon afterall :)
- Shoe cubbys: there are cubbys to store your shoes in this closet if you prefer.
Balcony (upstairs)
- The Mess: we have tried to tame the forest to not make a mess, but unfortunately every day the table gets covered in pollen and leaves... If you find this situatuon, there are cleaning wipes under the sink in the kitchen.
- Barbeque: there is a gas barbeque under cover outside the french doors, and utensils on the balcony railing nearby. You'll need to first turn the valve on the propane tank on, and the electric ignition switch doesn't work, so you'll need to use a lighter to get it lit (there is one by the livingroom fireplace). Should you need to replace the propane tank, the closest Blue Rhino exchange is located at the Rite Aid on 29th & Willamette.
- Heater: there is an outdoor heater on the patio. Remove the cover by unzipping it all the way to the top. You may find this easier with two people and by tipping it on it's side so you can reach the top. Be sure to turn on the propane tank. Hold down the pilot knob for a few minutes to allow the gas to make it to the pilot light. Keep striking the electric pilot igniter button until the pilot is lit. Keep holdind down the pilot knob until the pilot stays lit (the element needs to heat up). Once the pilot stays lit, turn the pilot knob to the HI position (video here). Should you need to replace the propane tank, the closest Blue Rhino exchange is located at the Rite Aid on 29th & Willamette.
- Bird Food: if you'd like to refill the bird feeders, there is extra food in this metal bucket on the balcony to keep the squirrels out.
Family Room (downstairs)
- TV: There is a 4k Smart TV and soundbar above the fireplace, and the remotes for each should be found on the coffee table. You can stream apps like NetFlix, YouTube, etc. from your phone, or login with your account to those apps on the TV itself to watch your shows, just don't forget to log them out before you leave! The volume button on the soundbar remote is strange, you don't press down on it, but rather toggle it upward or downward to adjust the volume. There is also an app installed called HDHomerun that plays local channels from an antenna on the roof.
- French Doors: there are french doors leading out from the downstairs family room to the front yard, and back yard via a covered patio with chairs. There are buttons on the interior knobs to lock them from the inside, but they cannot be opened from outside when they are locked.
- Fireplace: you are welcome to use the fireplace, but be sure to open the damper before you do! (see video here). There is wood next to the fireplace and kindling outside in the trash cans by the wood piles under the deck if you should need. IMPORTANT: Because the chimney is so tall, you first need to get a draft going, or the smoke may pour into the room, even if the damper is open. Once you have your wood stacked and ready to light, burn a piece of paper and hold it up under the chimney to get that smoke drafting up the chimney, then light the fire. It is best to start with a small fire to start the chimney drawing, rather than a bonfire that will put out a lot of smoke all at once :)
- Laundry: there is a stackable washer and dryer in the closet along with detergent and fabric softener dispensers on a shelf nearby, as well as an iron and ironing board (picture).
- Cleaning Supplies: All of the cleaning supplies for the houshold, should you need them, are in the laundry closet.
- Air Mattresses: two inflatable mattresses are in this closet in this room that is next to the Laundry closet, in case you came with a large party.
- Books: we hope you find something interesting to read during your stay. There are a selection of books on the shelves at eye level for the kids too!
- Travel Table: this eclectic furnishing showcases our collection of the local currency from all of the countries where we've traveled. Please be respectful and leave it as you found it ;)
Front Bedroom (downstairs)
- Nightstand Lights: tap on the base of these lights once to turn them on, twice to set to medium brightness, and three times for maximum brighness, and a fourth time to turn them off again. There are USB ports for charging your devices at the base of these lights.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices at the base of the lights on the nightstands.
- Blinds: the blackout blinds are cordless, just push up or pull down on the bottom of each to raise or lower them to the desired height.
- Laundry: There is a laundry hamper in the closet if you need, and there is a laundry closet with a washer and dryer in the Family Room (downstairs).
- Luggage Rack: There is a luggage rack for your suitcase in the closet of this room.
Back Bedroom (downstairs)
- Nightstand Lights: tap on the base of these lights once to turn them on, twice to set to medium brightness, and three times for maximum brighness, and a fourth time to turn them off again. There are USB ports for charging your devices at the base of these lights.
- Charging: There are USB ports for charging your devices at the base of the lights on the nightstands.
- Blinds: the blackout blinds are cordless, just push up or pull down on the bottom of each to raise or lower them to the desired height.
- Laundry: There is a laundry hamper in the closet if you need, and there is a laundry closet with a washer and dryer in the Family Room (downstairs).
- Luggage Rack: There is a luggage rack for your suitcase in the closet of this room.
Bathroom (downstairs)
- Tub & Shower: great water pressure. Relax and enjoy :)
- Wall Heater: the knob to turn it on is at it's base, but please be sure to turn it off when you're done!
Hall Closet Under Stairs (downstairs)
- Large Fan: a large fan is stored in this closet. We find it usefull on really hot days to place at the bottom of the stairwell facing upstairs to help circulate the cold air from downstairs.
Linen Closet (downstairs)
- Extra Sheets, Blankets & Pillows: the linen closet is in the downstairs hallway just before the door to the Family Room.
- Electric Blanket: there's a king size one in here with dual controls in case you're chilly at night.
Outside Yards
- Firewood: there are stacks of firewood for use under the entry bridge in the front yard, and kindling in the trash cans nearby. Avoid using wood from piles located elsewhere on the property, as those haven't been cut and split yet.
- Kayaks: there is a single hard shell kayak, and a tandem open-topped kayak under the entry bridge. Paddles and life jackets are stored in the downstairs Family Room closet, next to the laundry. Running the Willamette River is a favorite summer afternoon activity. You can put in near the Cutherbert Ambitheater and take out where Beltline Hwy crosses thiver at River Dr. Or, if you perfer flat water, Fern Ridge Resevoir and Dexter Lake are both nearby.
- Fenced Backyard: the backyard is mostly fenced, but there are a couple places where the fence is low or temporary, in case your dog is a jumper... The gate to the backyard is located along the fence on the north side of the house.
- Sprinklers: there are sprinklers in the front yard that come on automatically at various times. The sprinkler heads are painted green; please be careful not to kick them over if you are walking around out there.
- Garbage & Recycling: if you are staying a while and need to empty the interior trash cans, the bins outside are located on the carport. Pickup day is Thursday, so bins need to be taken to the curb Wednesday night if you're staying long.
