2010 State Park Challenge

Christmas 2009 I received a zine named Explore Oregon State Parks. The zine lists 189 State Parks in Oregon, shows a little map of where they are located and a check box in front of each park. The Challenge, among family and friends, is to see how many States Parks you can visit in the calendar year of 2010. The Proof, your picture in front of the State Park Sign.

January 1, 2010 - Road Trip - always fun and what a way to start the New Year! Did you know there was a State Park in West Linn? I did not and I have lived in Portland many years. Mary S. Young State Recreation Area is right off of highway 43 in West Linn. It has a lot of trails that lead to the Willamette River or follow little creeks including Mary S. Young Creek.

Another charming creek was Turkey Creek. It may look small, but even this small creek has carved some impressive gullies through the forest.

One thing you can count on in an Oregon State Park, especially in western Oregon, is trees. The other thing you can count on is that I will take a lot of pictures of trees - it is my way of stopping to rest. Here is an example of Mary S. Young State Park trees.

And on to the Willamette River.

This is a great park even on a rainy cool day (47 - 50 degrees).

Only 188 parks to go. Stay tuned.