LL Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

        Stub Stewart is a great park that we found in the Coast Range.  It features two large RV camping loops with large flat sites each with a very large flat pea graveled area.  It also has a horse camping area with full hookups, complete with horse stalls.  There are several cabins for people who want to enjoy the park but may not be set up for camping.  Also, it is one of three Oregon State Campgrounds with a disc golf course.  (Champoeg & McIver being the other two)   While we were there, the rangers had a night talk on the stars.  There are trails for hiking, trails for horses, and even special trails for mountain bikes.  Overall, the park is outstanding.  Near the park is the Bank-Vernonia State Trail. 
      "Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the first “rails-to-trails” linear state park built in Oregon. The trail follows an abandoned railroad bed that stretches 21 miles between the cities of Banks and Vernonia. Most of the route consists of an eight-foot wide hiking and bicycle trail paralleled by a four-foot wide horse trail. The gentle grade in all but one area allows hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and people of all abilities to enjoy the scenic mountains, fields, and forests of Washington and Columbia counties." Stub Stewart is just about midway along the trail.  The link is a PDF about the trail and its history.

        Our second visit to the park was a last minute thought on Jackie's part.  At 4:30 in the afternoon the day before a camping trip to the beach, Jackie suggests that we find a place to camp on the way to the beach to avoid Monday morning traffic through downtown Portland.  Thirty minutes later we were on the road heading here.   We pulled in a little after six in the evening hoping there was a space available.  Fortunately, there were plenty of sites and we got a great one.  (they are all great sites)  The next morning it was an hour drive to breakfast and then back to the campground and off to Nehalem Bay via the scenic route.