Champoeg State Park

Meadow near the old Champoeg town site

Spent the weekend camping at Champoeg State Park and Heritage Area near Newburg, between Salem and Portland. It was here, on the banks of the Willamette River, the the Oregon Territory got it's start in the 1840's. There was a thriving town here until 1861 when a flood wiped it out. The park is large and contains a great trail system on the river and several historic sites as well as beautiful meadows and oak groves. It feels like the Willamette Valley as the early settlers must have seen it. Would have been more fun if I hadn't been sick the whole weekend - but it was still nice to see something new (to me) so close to home.