Champoeg State Park

Birthday bicyclists

Champoeg State Park, east of Interstate 5 at exit 278, is an historic site for picnics, bicycling, weddings, frisbee golf and birthday parties. Gathering our cycling gear, we headed for the Riverside Trail, an 8 mile loop that takes in all the points of interest in the park including the Oak Grove, camping yurts, the Pioneer Mother's house, the Pioneer School and the Butteville Store.

Riverside Trail

The trail is largely flat with a couple of briefly challenging hills, but the reward is the return down hill at a high rate of speed! The carefully salvaged deciduous forest overhangs the trail, sheltering it from the hot summer sun but opening to the sky in the fall and winter season. Paved and wide, the trail gently winds along the Willamette River where boat motors and laughter mingle with camper sounds. The Oak Grove has large areas for play, frisbee golf and group activities including a wedding on this particular day.

Rockin' on the Butteville store porch

The Butteville Store greets visitors with the smell of freshly churned ice cream and a visual treat of old photographs of the area. One framed piece is an intricately pieced quilt made from silk cigar wrappers of nearly 150 years ago, completed by the granddaughter of the smoker. Interesting history storybooks for children are available as are various craft items and souvenirs.

Silk cigar wrappers quilt 

Woodie Teardrop trailer

Elvis, the blue-gold parrot macaw

 When touring any public area, interesting sights are sure to pop up. The Woodie teardrop trailer, a tribute to the old Woodies of the 1940 Pontiac Special Series, was a piece of fine craftsmanship. We marveled at the tiny doorway but it's not much different from crawling through a tent flap. The blue-gold parrot macaw Elvis really made the surprise award on this trip. Sitting in his large cage which was strapped to a hand cart, Elvis seemed to be enjoying his stroll through the forest. It wasn't exactly a Caribbean Rain Forest, his native land, but outdoors nonetheless. His owners had rescued him and were already creating a trust for his future long life and a younger owner when the present ones move on. Devoted "parents" for sure!

Willamette River

The birthday picnic under a stand of oak trees was a delightful blend of pineapple cucumber gazpacho, wraps, munchies and several desserts with accompanying adult beverages. Laughter among dear friends added the final dimension to a memorable setting as another year was feted in style.

Cake with carrot candle and Frito flame

Shiver me timbers Cap'n Sparrow

Consider Champoeg State Park for your next family or group activity, whether a day event or a weekend yurt experience. The history associated with this spot is worth investigating and appreciating and the Pioneer School is a traditional fall rite of passage when studying Oregon history. Take advantage of what  your tax dollars support and visit the 622 acre park soon!

Table Rock Adventures

Totally flat!

The usually annual hike to Table Rock, out of Molalla, is eagerly anticipated not only for the 360 degree view of the Cascade Range peaks and surrounding hills but also for the gourmet picnic lunch we pack in to share. Eight hikers rendezvoused in Molalla early in the morning to caravan to the trailhead, another hour's drive to the southeast. Gradually narrowing and degrading roads lead deep into the forest, past campsites, along the river and through the alder and evergreen forest of the Molalla River-Table Rock Recreation Area.

Conclave of female problem solvers

 Just out of cell range and nearing our destination, the truck bearing six of our hikers pulled over, alerted by an electronic monitoring alarm, to discover a quickly deflating rear tire. Initial reaction? A head slap and a few choice words muttered under the breath. The plan? Get 'er changed and keep movin' ! But the size of the vehicle and the weight of the tire were daunting. Usually we see no other cars on our deep woods hikes, but within minutes a car bearing two women and a man pulled up behind us to offer help! Pete was mechanically inclined, patient, kind and worked well with a group of women talking and trying to be helpful. A true gentleman.

Pete, our tire changer

Carole and Pete struggle to free the spare

Carole took the lead, suggested locating the vehicle instruction book, and worked with Joyce to locate the jack pack. Having never been previously needed, it was all tucked neatly and deeply under the rear seat, factory sealed. While designed by a talented engineer, the field test of this equipment and its spare tire partner proved to be challenging and not so intuitive as in olden days of popping the trunk and gettin' to it. There was assembly required prior to use, then the hunt for operational holes followed by a puzzle of sequencing moves to locate, engage and lower the spare tire.

Ryan firms up the lugs nuts

Once this had occurred the removal and replacement of the tire was a snap. And just when we needed more muscle, another car arrived, stocked with young, curious and able-bodied teen boys who were eager to have a turn at the lug nuts. Banter greased the task of loosening the nuts, jacking up the car, trading out the tires and tightening the nuts once again. When everyone had a turn, the equipment was loaded in the back of the truck and hands were either pants-wiped or water washed and we all waved a cheery 'bye and headed for the trailhead. Only took an hour and six new friends.

Good as new!

The trailhead begins along an old access road, narrowed by the encroaching oxeye daisies, alder and thimbleberries. After 1.3 miles the trailhead leads up into the forest, up, up and up 1500 feet in elevation gain over 2.5 miles. The day was overcast to hazy with a mugginess that sapped our energy and made breathing labored for some. Frequent stops for water and air made the trip a bit longer, but that gave time to enjoy the scene.

Thimbleberries

The Hemlock needle-cushioned trail bed was so soft to walk on as we took in the tall upper story of Douglas fir, Spruce and Hemlock, the middle story of alder with its splotchy bark and the understory of glossy-leaved Rhododendrons, spent of blooms but looking very hydrated. In the mix were burned and rotted ancient tree stumps slowly deteriorating to renew the soil below. White oxeye daisies and yarrow appeared as crumbs leading us through the forest, their brightness in contrast to the deep greens of the forest. Orange Indian paintbrush, purple Penstemmon and other late summer flowers dotted the trail as well as bright red, delicate and tangy Thimbleberries ripe with juicy sweetness.

Layers of hills

Tree root without soil

The sunlight played through the leaves of the vine maple and little critter holes provided safe haven for peering eyes at the chattering hikers. The creek beds were seeping rather than streaming but still providing cool pockets of air that refreshed the hot hikers. A soft breeze would waft through from time to time, also offering a cool respite from the heavy air. Tall trees, growing on the deeply angled slopes begin to curve over time in an attempt to remain upright, creating a ship's bow appearance. This type of growth would be what Norsemen of another time and place would seek out for their ocean-going vessels.

The quietness of this place allows the hiker to listen to the winds whispering through the treetops, perhaps issuing an alert to the changing season about to come. The buzzing of honey bees, yellow jackets and biting flies adds another layer of sounds. Ouch! adds yet another layer. The occasional airplane hum or distant gun report fade as we trudge towards the summit. Pikas, or rock rabbits, cheep in birdlike sounds warning of "enemy" approaches to their rocky lairs as we cross the great rock slide portion of the hike. It's slow going as the rocks are large, the pathway vague and the downward steepness of the trail a trip hazzard. Thankfully, a crew had cleared the heavy vegetation from this portion, making navigation more focused.

Picnic on the top

Deep blue gentians were our reward for safe crossing and highlighted the trail to the top. The question "are we there  yet" began to be repeated as we were losing energy and leg power as well as anticipating that gourmet picnic each of us was carrying. When we felt we couldn't go a step further, the basalt summit appeared and we made our way to the flat picnic top. Spreading a civilizing tablecloth on the rocky ground, we began to unpack delicious items: salmon spread, rice crackers, grapes, apples, green olive tapenade, stuffed mini peppers, peanut butter balls, chocolate pecan tart, Belgium almond chocolate bars and wine. While the view was somewhat obscured by the haze, we could see Mt. Hood in its usual place, barely mantled in spots of snow. The other glorious peaks from Baker to Jefferson remained imaginary this time around. Nonetheless, we refreshed ourselves, both body and soul, on the fare and slowly packed up for the descent.

Blue Gentian

Trekking poles are a definite necessity on such a steep downward trail, helping to offset the pounding of each step. Plenty of water is one of the Essential 10 items hikers should carry but we met several people with children on the trail who either had none or very little. People also start hiking late in the day and we always wonder what they are thinking to put themselves and others in distress or danger. We gently "preach" to these trail users but realize that people are responsible for themselves and the consequences of their choices. Even the most prepared hikers encounter life-threatening situations. Enough said.

The 7.6 mile hike was a great challenge and another reminder of the beauty and grandeur of the Pacific Northwest's forests. Plan a safe trip before the weather closes in for the winter and discover another part of nature close to home. You never know what new adventure awaits you!

Table Rock and rock slide

Crossing the great slide

Shades of blue

Descending the ridge

Hikers of the day

Red berried shrub

A Stinky Skirmish

The trellis "before"

 The quiet evening peace was interrupted by a click-click-click sound and a faint fluttering shadow racing towards the stairwell light. Upon close inspection, an armor-plated bug was spotted on the wall. Recognizing it as a stink bug, I carefully snatched it with a tissue, quickly dispatched it with sufficient pressure to end its existence and flushed it down the toilet. How could such a bug be in the house I wondered? Another day cleaning a bedroom I discovered to my growing disgust a number of these unwanted insects hiding in strange, dark places such as between the pages of a tablet, between a mattress and box spring, in the clothes closet and in the folds of a curtain. Ewwww!

After summarily eliminating these additional invaders I began to research them. According to the information I found these bugs lay their eggs on the leaves of various plants, including tomatoes, which I had planted under this bedroom's window. They prefer south-facing surfaces, again the bedroom window, and look for places to winter over before heading out to populate the earth in the spring. I left the window open all summer to promote air circulation. Hence the hibernating bedroom population. I took measures to rid the place of all bugs, closed and never re-opened that bedroom window and enjoyed a bug-free house for some years.

A stink bug

A few days ago, while watering on the deck and admiring my wild and crazy yellow Clematis tangutica sprawling on a trellis wall abutting the house, I noticed a stink bug. And then another one. And then realized it was an infestation of prodigious proportions! The leaves, seed heads and stems were coated with all sizes of bugs ranging from newly hatched tiny ones to large adult, egg-laying ones. Oh mercy! I began squishing them in a flurry of defensive action but realized that there were too many to battle and it was only a matter of time before some of them breached the deck door and found winter headquarters in my house. What to do?

 Clematis tangutica blooms

This variety of clematis is a favorite of bees and hummingbirds, both of which are a delight to watch while sipping a morning coffee or an afternoon iced drink on the deck. The vine is a great summer "wall", adding privacy to the deck. It grows constantly until frost, showing buds, full blooms and seed heads simultaneously. It is an unusual and beautiful clematis. To spray poison on it to eradicate the bugs would put the bees and birds in peril. To let it be would only allow the bugs to mature and begin their handy invasion of my house. The remaining alternative was to remove the year's growth completely, leaving a "naked" wall, but ensuring that a significant number of the bugs would be removed to the yard debris container.

The trellis "after"

Option "C" was selected and in a short time, secateurs in hand, I had clipped the clematis down and the foliage was in the trash. A final squishing sweep of the deck eliminated some survivors, and once all was restored to order, the appearance wasn't so bad. A few potted plants replaced the clematis function. I'll be on guard, however, all winter and spring to monitor dark places for hunkered down stink bugs and will be quick to show them who's boss, at least for now. Did I mention they like the color yellow?

Equine Estates

Grazing mare

 Diverging from the Interstate highway affords you the opportunity to discover a host of elegant equine estates in the Sherwood area. The Wilsonville Highway winds through the gentle rolling hills where large fenced pastures frame beautiful horses that contentedly munch grass throughout the day.

The estates are well maintained, manicured and accessorized in picture perfect styles, giving rise to photo opps for those who carry cameras. The sunny summer days showcase ripening grain fields, green row crops, fruiting orchards and a variety of farm animals.

Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and Russian sage

Freshly washed stalls await horse clients at some of the facilities that specialize in various equine services. Each animal has its own stall and corral and an attendant to keep them fed and watered.

Stables

Grand estates

The sprawling estates have borrowed views of the surrounding topography, the coastal range to the west and the snow-peaked Cascades to the east. As the Willamette Valley narrows towards the south, the land flattens to large crop fields. This part of Oregon is close enough in for a day drive yet gives you the feeling that  you are far away from the madding crowd. Take a Sunday or other day drive to enjoy the expansive equine estates of the Willamette Valley while the weather and agriculture are at their best. And learn more about this quiet industry that helps support Oregon's economy!

Biking the Vineyards of the Willamette Valley

Bicycling aficionados as well as casual but determined riders were lured to the Eola Hills Winery in Rickreall, Oregon by the opportunity to ride in a premier cycling event. This established winery sponsors weekly Sunday rides in August that tour some of the many small local wineries. Our cycling team gathered in the early morning coolness to check our bicycles and gear and grab a few fruit snacks before heading north into the vineyards. We even made the Facebook page of the winery.

The flashy, colorful branded cycling shirts, fancy bicycles and bike lingo could have been intimidating to our casual riders, but the pros among us assured us it was all just about a good ride. We let the sprint starters lead off and blaze the road ahead of us, and they soon left us far behind. 150 people riding single file along the Pacific Highway West is quite a sight and gives cars on the road ample warning of the need to slow down, although most do not. This requires riders to maintain concentration in the presence of whizzing automobiles just a few feet from their shoulders.

After a series of slow rolling hills over the initial 13 miles, we veered off the main road into back country where acres of vineyards carpet the hills and valleys. Small, independent wineries are tucked atop picturesque hills, inauspicious in their frontage but fully stocked with their individual wine selections. Some of them buy juice from other growers and just make wine while others grow as well as produce the finished product.

Miles and miles of neatly planted grapevines line the hills like corduroy ribs, green and slightly puffy but neatly trimmed to ensure a maximum grape harvest. The blue sky of late summer grew gradually brighter as the day progressed and the temperature rose. We were so thankful for the scheduled stops with their refreshments! Unique names such as Left Coast Cellars, Haun of the Dauen Winery, St. Innocent Winery, Strangeland Vineyards






and Winery  made us wonder how these came to be called such. Each offered friendly opportunities to sample their products and of course buy, preferably cases, from their selections. The road crew, headed by the event coordinator Rich Washburn, always had fresh fruit, snack bars, cold water and Gatorade waiting at each stop. The sag wagon followed behind, ready to help with repairs or to transport people and bicycles that couldn't make the final push up Gillette Hill.

Olives grow amid the grapes

The prize at the end of the ride was a salmon BBQ with more sides than your plate could hold, plus glasses of any of the Eola Hills wines, followed by icy dishes of homemade sherbet, fresh caramel swirl ice cream and a large display of baked desserts. As the riders drifted in after the 42-50 mile routes, they lounged under white canopies and tapped their toes to the beat of a three piece jazz group. The lingering conversation among good friends kept us occupied until late afternoon when we finally packed up our bicycles and began to plan another ride into the vineyards of the Willamette Valley. Although a planned event such as the Wine Country Tour is great because there is food and entertainment, an independent journey through the area is another opportunity to enjoy the great Pacific Northwest scenery and its agricultural variety. Plan a drive or ride before harvest, taking a picnic lunch along as well as your camera. Look for the newly planted olive trees amid the grapes. It's a new agricultural venture being tested by Eola Hills. Think EVOO Oregon style. The excursion will put your urbanized life at ease to experience the open spaces of the wine country.

Heirloom Rose Gardens

Shakespeare's Juliet argued that "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" and so it is at Heirloom Rose Gardens in St. Paul, Oregon. This rose growing and hybridizing business lies tucked away in the Willamette Valley's vast rolling farm country, and the journey there is half the fun. Over the years they have transformed their greenhouse business into a large internet business and designed new display gardens to showcase the many varieties of roses available to shoppers.

The drive to the St. Paul area winds over Clark Hill, Bald Peak with its nearby state park, and Chehalem Mountain with its 1265 foot summit. The views from these hills are stunning as the valleys below spread out their vineyards and various crops of beans, wheat, filberts, corn and other seasonal foods. Laurel hedges and flowering plum trees line parts of the road while ripening, fragrant blackberries crawl up the hillsides, begging to be picked. Alas, there are few stopping points while going over the hills so bring a friend to take pictures while you drive. Crossing the wide, smooth Willamette River and passing by a dairy, you wind the final miles to the rose gardens.

My friends and I met at the entrance and began to wander among the many rows of grass-edged flower beds, bending near to smell the different fragrances of some roses or to peer into the colorful petals of others unfolding in the warm summer air. Hundreds of varieties from tall ramblers and climbers to tiny miniatures are grown in the manicured and labeled beds. There are a number of named gardens on the property, each with a sign and some with arbors garnished with lovely climbing roses.

There are benches strategically placed under shade trees and at view points so visitors can rest between strolls as the gardens seem to go on and on into the distant hills. White picket and sash fences line the perimeters and gardeners quietly work to pull unwanted weeds, deadhead roses and otherwise keep the gardens looking their best. Each rose seems to be grown twice, once on each side of the bed, and is labeled with its name and variety type. Some of the roses are still in the experimental stage so have code names for the present.

Once our noses had been sated with sweet fragrances we unpacked our lunch on a stone paved patio under tall conifers, the shade a welcome relief from the now hot sun of noon. We dallied in starting our lunch as the view from the patio was so peaceful and engaging. The cold quinoa salad, iced coffees and fresh peach cobbler was such an appropriate menu for the scene. Conversation brought us late into the afternoon as the shade worked its way around us, a cooling breeze adding just the right touch to a perfect gathering of friends.





Visit Heirloom Rose Gardens before they close for the season at the end of September and select a rose or two to add to your garden or to give to a gardening friend. The plants are grown on their own root stock so they will always come true to variety in the event of a partial loss of the plant. As you drive away, the sweet scent of roses will stay with you long after the gardens drop behind the hills.