Escapees September-October 2022

skp stops

Campground Hosting at Thompson’s Mills Shedd, Oregon 32655 Boston Mill Drive, Shedd, OR 97377, (541) 491-3611, stateparks.oregon.gov

cultural history of the mill and put the tur bines into action on our guided tours. T here are three 50amp/full hook-up hosts sites behind the mill, each with a small yard, concrete patio and picnic table. Surrounding the hosts sites are open fi elds with rural views. The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway runs right past the entrance to the park. It is a pretty area with open sky for your satellite. The park provides wi fi and access to a washer/dryer and refrigerator. There is an of fi ce inside the mill where you have a host workstation and two ranger desks. You do not need to be shy about trying something new, the rangers will teach you everything you need to know. Hosts duties start by opening the chicken and duck coops in the morning, feeding them and checking for eggs. Yes, you eat a lot of fresh eggs. Then, open the mill for tours by 9:00 a.m. We check the tour route to make sure everything is in its proper place and tidy

Whether you are on the road full time or for only a few months, hosting at a state park is a wonderful way to add to the ad venture of the open road. Last spring, my husband and I decided to try our hand at being interpretive hosts at Thomp son’s Mills State Heritage Site just south of Albany, Oregon. Thompson’s Mills is a 160-year-old fl our mill and the last opera tional water-powered mill in Oregon. The park is unique in that the state has kept the property much as it was when it was purchased. There is a two-story 1904 Vic torian house, barn, apple orchard, garden, chickens and ducks. As interpretive hosts, we provided information on the natural and

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ESCAPEES Magazine September/October 2022