2025, Apr. 24-27 Spring NOG - Northern Oregon Gathering

[Donna D.]

There's been a change of venue for Spring NOG 2025.

I don't make changes lightly. At the conclusion of Spring NOG 2024, I was approached by an individual who had attended Spring NOG 2019. He emphatically stated he would not go back to Fort Stevens State Park at anytime there was a big event being held in Astoria. The annual Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival will be held April 25-27, 2025. The same time as Spring NOG. It was held during Spring NOG 2019 too. And no, I won't change the NOG date.

I spoke with Kathie Newlyn who was the host for Spring NOG 2019. She said there had been some issues. Rowdy campers, messy bathrooms, etc. The Rangers were kept busy...

Looking at the list of parks people proposed, Champoeg was 2nd and only lost out to Fort Stevens by two votes. But there were concerns. Champoeg is on the state list for campground expansion in 2025. Kathie contacted the Park Manager at Champoeg and he said "Thanks for reaching out about our exciting campground expansion. We are still in the design phase, but we are on target to break ground the second half of 2025. The area where we are constructing the new sites is the large open field next to B-Loop, so for the first couple years there may be a shortage of shade. We are planning to plant a variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses, so it will be fun to see the loop take shape year after year."

Kathie and I took a reconnaissance trip out to Champoeg the middle of August.

SO... we're good to go to Champoeg for Spring NOG 2025. STAY tuned. I'll have more information about the reservations by mid-October. We'll start making reservations the end of October.

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up. I'd rather people be disappointed at the change rather than finding those around you were unbearable. But, we can always go to Fort Stevens State Park in the fall....

 

[Donna D.]

ARGGGH. Good thing L.L. Stub is a nice park.

 

[CADreamin]

According to the website, there are no camping spots available anywhere in the park for the 23-27 or 24-27 April time period. Guess things filled up fast.

 

[Donna D.]

According to the website, there are no camping spots available anywhere in the park for the 23-27 or 24-27 April time period. Guess things filled up fast.

Jan, Unfortunately the EscapeForum was down and I was unable to post all the information regarding the Spring NOG 2025. Here's a big part:
"
2025, April 24-27 — L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

(Vernonia area - West of Portland, Oregon - about 34 miles)

This is the six month BELL to make your reservations!

We've had a hard time finding a place to hold the Spring NOG! Lots of construction in the state parks and we're not interested in camping while big equipment is working. And now I find out Dairy Creek West is on a seasonal close for the first time ever during April 2025! I have a call in to see if they'd be willing to open it the last week of April. Not hopeful, but fingers crossed!! If they do, you'll see it when you try to reserve in Dairy Creek East."

I HOPE to hear something from the Oregon State Parks people soon. Please be patient. As soon as I hear SOMETHING, ANYTHING, I'll post. Fingers crossed!!

 

[Donna D.]

Still haven't heard anything from the Oregon State Parks regarding opening Dairy Creek East in time for Spring NOG. I've done everything except scream and throw things and would consider doing both if it would help. Please be patient. This is 'THE' Government we're dealing with and wheels turn really slow. It may be January before we know anything.... so, if you can leave room on your schedule to make camping reservations for Spring NOG a bit later... patience and fingers crossed!

On a positive note, I was able to rent the Meeting Hall for our Friday and Saturday night doin's. YAY!

 

[Foggy]

Hey Donna. Hope all is well.

What the status on the Spring NOG? Is there one happening and any other particulars you can share. Open sites? Etc.

 

[Donna D.]

Nothing from the park people. Yes it's happening, it's only half the campground that's seasonally closed. GRRRRRRRRRRRR. If I was as unresponsive to a customer when I was working, I would have been fired.

The best thing to do is keep an eye on the thread, someone may post they're need to cancel and the other is to put an 'Alert' out on ReserveAmerica for the campground and those specific dates. What that does is if anyone cancels (remember, we're not the only ones in the park) everyone that have an alert would receive an email at the same time, it would be important to jump on that right away to get a site. As is said: You snooze, you lose.

 

[Escaping the World]

Hi Donna, this is Harriet (with a new screen name)… can you please link the "Casita Forum" page where you usually list out who is in which site, for Spring NOG?

 

[Donna D.]

Hi Donna, this is Harriet (with a new screen name)… can you please link the "Casita Forum" page where you usually list out who is in which site, for Spring NOG?

Hey Harriet. Here you go: 2025, Apr. 24-27 Spring NOG - Northern Oregon Gathering

I see you and John are in West site 51

 

[rbrandenstein]

Donna,
We just got in, finally. Got an email a site opened and we were able to grab it after several failed attempts.

Bob and Katie Brandenstein
Bonney Lake, WA
2019 Escape 21
Site 5

 

[Donna D.]

Donna,
We just got in, finally. Got an email a site opened and we were able to grab it after several failed attempts.

Bob and Katie Brandenstein
Bonney Lake, WA
2019 Escape 21
Site 5

YAY! I'll get you on the participants list and map right away

 

[Donna D.]

I've heard a cancelling is going to happen. Do you want it? Please let me know via PM and I'll share the current site owner's info with you. It will then be up to you both to work out the details.

 

[Escaping the World]

Hi NOGgers, John and I camped at Stub Stewart last week to start our season. One tiny detail to note: I always enjoy the park Discovery Center and shop. Well, the shop is no longer there. The volunteer told us they had ended the contract with the supplier and were seeking a new deal possibly to start again in May.

 

[Donna D.]

I almost forgot about posting this until I saw Bobbie Mayer's schedule posted for the Fort Casey Rally. Fortunately not much changes from NOG to NOG other than the place:

THE Schedule of Events:

Daytime hours are completely unscheduled. Feel free to do what you wish. Sleep in, ride your bike on the trails, hike, go to town, play cards, sit-and-visit, etc., etc. As far as trailer tours, nothing scheduled for that either. If you see folks sitting outside, stop and chat and ask to see their trailer. I've found most folks have an informal open house.

DON'T FORGET TO BRING/WEAR A NAME TAG: I'd really like to see everyone wear a name tag all weekend. I'm meeting some of you for the first time. Help me to remember your name, please.

FRIDAY NIGHT NO-HOST DINNER-ON-A-STICK: The roasting fires will be going at the meeting hall outside. There are two elevated BBQs. Both will be hot! You may want to bring a chair though. This is not a potluck, bring everything you need, including your roasting stick. Come by anytime after 6:00pm.

The fun/funny stuff:
CRAFT BEER EXCHANGE
7PM SHARP
FRIDAY NIGHT
This is an "opener" event.

Bring a six pack of craft beer, trade one bottle or can for a different kind.

Everyone is welcome at anytime to anything. If you're not a beer drinker that's perfectly okay. Please join us. Beer/food is secondary to the good times.

SATURDAY NIGHT POTLUCK: Serving of food will start SHARPLY at 6pm. Come a few minutes early to get your food on the table before serving starts. Bring an appetizer, entrée, salad or dessert to share that feeds 6-10 people AND your table service.

For the two events at the meeting hall, you may want to bring your lawn chair. Sitting outside is always preferable to being inside if the weather is dry and it's not windy.

The meeting hall, according to the park, will hold 50 people and there's a wood stove inside. If every site brought ONE stick of wood, we could have a nice fire going both Friday and Saturday nights. There's LIMITED parking down by the meeting hall. A number of the tent sites are currently reserved and most of the parking is for tenter use. So... carpooling (or drop off service) is encouraged!

Please, no pets at any of the food events.

I hope this answers questions you may have. If not, ask and we'll get it answered!

Safe travels everyone. I'll post the weather forecast on Monday (4/21). Please bring SUN!

 

[Donna D.]

The forecast has been fickle the last several days. Back and forth between low chance of rain on the weekend to no rain on the weekend. Now it's showing just some rain on the weekend. Fortunately we have the meeting hall for both Friday and Saturday, so no ones casserole dish will turn into soup.

See y'all in a few days. I'm in the park starting later today. Safe travels, always!