On our way to the Spring NOG at Waterloo we spent a very pleasant evening at Champoeg State Park, about an hour southwest of Portland, Oregon. We only had a little bit of time to explore, but hey, we’re going back. What a nice place, especially for one so close to a big city.
It’s not glaciers or pounding surf, but it’s quiet and relaxing. Views like this from all around the campground.
We stayed in a small loop off the larger loop, lured by its promise of pull-through sites and proximity to some river or other. Walking around the campground, we found many other, non-pull through sites that would have offered more privacy. But for an overnight our site was still a 9.5.
The campsites are quite nice here. Pull-throughs are set up oddly — facing the inside of a loop instead of outside. We think this was due to space limitations. It means your view is, in many cases, of other campers. Great view or lousy, depending on the other campers (our neighbors were all exceptionally nice-looking, of course).
After we set up camp, Sooz and the boys chilled while I investigated a nearby path.
Just across from our campsite, a path beckoned. Actually a little hydrant of some kind beckoned first — it appears to be saying “Welcome!” or “Oooohh Noooooo!” depending on your recollection of early SNL seasons. But then there was this path, so I took it.
The forest path appeared to be headed for a larger, more grownup path. One with paving of some kind.
Sure enough, a pleasant multi-use trail beckoned. A lot of beckoning goes on around here.
Remember that nearby river I mentioned? Of course you do.
Okay now I get it. The multi-use trail hugs the shoreline of this lazy river. It does look lazy, doesn’t it? This close to Portland, I would have expected… a quirky river. This one is definitely lazy. I looked it up: it’s the Willamette River. I know this word because I’ve seen it on a lot of wine bottle labels. You don’t get too many views of the river from the part of the trail I investigated; but I only went a short way. Next time we will stay for a few days and bike around. We can and we will.
In the morning I strolled again. I saw things.
The dog exercise area is a highlight, if you’re a dog or a dog’s pal. Here is what the campground looks like if you are tall dog, pausing from your exercise.
Note the lovely weather. It did not follow us to the NOG.
This is Joe, a juvenile but already wise Barn Swallow. I think. There’s a nest-box attached to this wooden post, and maybe it’s Joe’s house (or at least a vacation rental). Joe and I chatted during my morning stroll. I think I carried the conversation; maybe he thinks he did. Wow, maybe this is Josephine. Also, possibly a Robin. Not a Western Bluebird — Joe or Josephine’s wings were decidedly swept back. I should have brought my longer lens on this walk.
And finally…
There was this Courtesy Guide. Maybe “Courtesy Guide” sounds better than “Campground Regulations.”
Metal Dectecting Prohibited! What is that about? I’ll try to find out.
On our way out of the park, Toto in tow, we saw many appealing things beckoning to us. A heritage area with old buildings and explanatory signs. Many day use areas. A disc golf course (or two). More river access. Other bits of that multi-use trail. We will be back, with our golf discs and bicycles, in early August, headed home from an Oregon coast trip. Can’t wait.
Oh, one more thing. The bathrooms and showers were spotless, in case that’s a thing.
Oh, another thing. We learned, after arriving at Waterloo, that Champoeg is properly pronounced “Shampoo-ee.” Okay.
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