Champoeg Heritage State Park
It was a short jog from Premier Eugene at Coburg to Champoeg, stopping at Pacific Pride at exit 278 off of I-5 for diesel and propane. We are glad to have the comfort of heat in the early mornings these past several days! We just might be needing it the next couple of weeks or so!
Here is our route:
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We usually avoid freeways, when possible. But we decided it best to follow the directions to Champoeg as listed on our confirmation email to avoid any "narrow road mishap...!" So we did the freeway scene with a final easy six miles along country roads! Checking in was seamless, with a place to pull over and unhitch the car, dropping in our pre-registration paper, and driving around to our pull-through site! We experienced rain as we left Eugene, but the rain had cleared up so we set up camp in dry weather. Our site, B-22, was nice, on the end of a row of four, full hook up sites--all pull through, each with their own bricked patio next to the asphalt for parking. Two problems, one major, presented themselves. A large mud
puddle next to the patio under the pull out bay was the minor one. The major problem were the tree branches of the tree ahead of us. They were hanging down about eye level from the inside of the motor home! We decided then that we would indeed back out of this site! As for that mud puddle? We did have two glorious days of 85 degree weather! Before the mud dried up, we put a couple of mats down on it, so we were able to get items out of the bay without too much difficulty.
We had a picnic lunch for Lindy's brother Timothy and his friend Linda so we moved the "8 ton" picnic table in the shade of that tree ahead of us. Worked swell!
Sunshine is always welcome! Our site looks pretty great, doesn't it?! We will be back to Champoeg, B Loop. But remember, there are only 8 full hook up sites, so reserve early! We DID get satellite TV reception here!
As you can see, the road is very private, and just for the rig in this site. A great place for the picnic table and chairs!
No picnic is complete in Oregon (or any place in our opinion!) without a couple of scopes of Tillamook Marion Berry Pie Ice Cream!
Then there is the squirrel that invited himself to our picnic. Mike encouraged him by tossing him a few almonds now and then....
Rupert, Mike, Timothy, Bitty and I ambled up the road a bit, leaving Linda to her picture taking!
Champoeg State Heritage Area has its roots in Oregon history as the "gathering place" for the historic vote held on May 2nd, 1843, which established the first government in the Pacific Northwest. Founders Day is the first Saturday in May---do you suppose that is why we could not get reservations beyond May 2...?! The park also provides living history, garden programs, Jr. Ranger programs and campground programs. Champoeg today is "sham-POO-ee". During the time of the town of Champoeg--the1840s to 1861--the pronunciation was probably close to the way it is spelled: "cham-POH-eg". The name comes from the Kalapuya Native Americans.
Butteville Store, now part of the park, is the only surviving commercial building of the town of Butteville from the 1860s. Not only did it serve the town, but also was located a block away from a steamboat landing. Of course the store was closed, opening Friday, the day we departed! Lindy's mom lived in Canby, just a few miles to the east, and we have ridden bikes from Canby to the park a few times during our visits to Canby.
Since we couldn't get home made pies and other treats at the Butteville store, we drove to Bauman's Farm and Market Store, about 27 miles in Gervais. Our neighbors with two golden retrievers told us about it, and the scones they bought, so we had to go! We only bought raspberry and marionberry scones, marionberry pie squares, marionberry wine, and a cucumber. We wanted much more! So much fresh fruit and vegetables! Another reason to return to Champoeg State Heritage area, B loop, and hopefully site 22, for a longer stay next time!
We enjoyed our stay in this State Park, and will definitely return! We will remember to check for availability nine months out, especially near the summer season!
So, we are the Roving Riders, SWIRVIN on down the road to another Oregon State Park off of the Sunset Highway, US 26, west of Portland. Until then!
Here is our route:
View Larger Map
We usually avoid freeways, when possible. But we decided it best to follow the directions to Champoeg as listed on our confirmation email to avoid any "narrow road mishap...!" So we did the freeway scene with a final easy six miles along country roads! Checking in was seamless, with a place to pull over and unhitch the car, dropping in our pre-registration paper, and driving around to our pull-through site! We experienced rain as we left Eugene, but the rain had cleared up so we set up camp in dry weather. Our site, B-22, was nice, on the end of a row of four, full hook up sites--all pull through, each with their own bricked patio next to the asphalt for parking. Two problems, one major, presented themselves. A large mud
puddle next to the patio under the pull out bay was the minor one. The major problem were the tree branches of the tree ahead of us. They were hanging down about eye level from the inside of the motor home! We decided then that we would indeed back out of this site! As for that mud puddle? We did have two glorious days of 85 degree weather! Before the mud dried up, we put a couple of mats down on it, so we were able to get items out of the bay without too much difficulty.Sunshine is always welcome! Our site looks pretty great, doesn't it?! We will be back to Champoeg, B Loop. But remember, there are only 8 full hook up sites, so reserve early! We DID get satellite TV reception here!
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| Left to right: Linda, Timothy, Lindy and Mike |
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| Tillamook Marion Berry Pie Ice Cream |
Then there is the squirrel that invited himself to our picnic. Mike encouraged him by tossing him a few almonds now and then....
We walked the dogs along the bike trail where Linda found an opportunity to snap some pictures of the Willamette River.
Champoeg State Heritage Area has its roots in Oregon history as the "gathering place" for the historic vote held on May 2nd, 1843, which established the first government in the Pacific Northwest. Founders Day is the first Saturday in May---do you suppose that is why we could not get reservations beyond May 2...?! The park also provides living history, garden programs, Jr. Ranger programs and campground programs. Champoeg today is "sham-POO-ee". During the time of the town of Champoeg--the1840s to 1861--the pronunciation was probably close to the way it is spelled: "cham-POH-eg". The name comes from the Kalapuya Native Americans.
Butteville Store, now part of the park, is the only surviving commercial building of the town of Butteville from the 1860s. Not only did it serve the town, but also was located a block away from a steamboat landing. Of course the store was closed, opening Friday, the day we departed! Lindy's mom lived in Canby, just a few miles to the east, and we have ridden bikes from Canby to the park a few times during our visits to Canby.
Since we couldn't get home made pies and other treats at the Butteville store, we drove to Bauman's Farm and Market Store, about 27 miles in Gervais. Our neighbors with two golden retrievers told us about it, and the scones they bought, so we had to go! We only bought raspberry and marionberry scones, marionberry pie squares, marionberry wine, and a cucumber. We wanted much more! So much fresh fruit and vegetables! Another reason to return to Champoeg State Heritage area, B loop, and hopefully site 22, for a longer stay next time!
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| Bike trail early morning |
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| The Willamette River off the Bike Trail |
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| Willamette River off the Bike Trail |
So, we are the Roving Riders, SWIRVIN on down the road to another Oregon State Park off of the Sunset Highway, US 26, west of Portland. Until then!
Looks like a great park.
ReplyDeleteFrom my friend Ruth: "...that was a fabulous picture of Mike! And now that I know what your brother looks like, I'll look for him at Powell's! Wouldn't he be flabbergasted? We plan to be in Portland in September and Powell's is always on my "must do" list!"
ReplyDelete