Monday, July 9 – Champoeg State Park, St. Paul OR97137

Our destination today is the Champoeg (pronounced Shampoo-ee) State Heritage Area.  We only have 12 miles to drive and it takes us past lots of agriculture, a fertile valley.  We arrive at the Park around 11.30am, check-in is not really until 4pm but checkout is 1pm so we check out the Information Centre first.

Champoeg, the birthplace of American government in Oregon, is situated in the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River.  Originally, before 1840 the Champoeg prairie was home to the Kalapuya Indians who used the area for hunting, fishing and gathering camas bulbs (which look like blue hyacinth and part of the asparagus family).  Fur trappers came from 1811 and in 1841 the settlers began holding “wolf meetings” to discuss the predator problem.  Eventually the meeting turned to larger issues and hence the new provincial government was born.  The Visitors Centre has exhibits showing the ways of the Kalapuya, fur trappers, explorers and settlers who lived in this area.  The Seeds of Government exhibit was really interesting and it was cool to be able to touch the wildlife skins on display.

Even though we are early we take a drive to B Loop and find our site B31 in the hope that the previous inhabitants have moved on.  Yes they have, so we set up camp and make ourselves at home.

It’s a bit overcast this afternoon, but it’s warm and we have it on good authority that the weather is going to fine up and get very hot, ie in the 90’s for the rest of the week!  Bring it!!

Kim potters and polishes and I explore.  

Wipe on - Wipe off!!

This is the State Plant – the Oregon Grape.  The berries are not grapes nor do they taste like grapes, they are very tart and often used for jelly or wine.  I didn’t try any!  Oregon Grape is also well known as a medicinal plant. It contains the compound berberine, which is mainly found in the roots and bark of the plant, good for tummy upsets etc.

Oregon Grape, bright blue berries

Heaps of ground squirrels here, they are not very afraid of humans

Look what else I find in the forest - a fairy door - I peeked inside!

Have a sit outside with my book when I return but it doesn't fine up much.  Another day tomorrow.