Camping at Lagoon Campground
Our highly anticipated camping trip to Lagoon Campground in Oregon is finally here. After driving for 8 plus hours in the car, and stopping in Ashland for lunch, we arrive at the camp around 3:00 pm.
We go into our natural routine for setting up camp. Jeremy begins with unpacking the heavy stuff like cooler and camping box, and I tie up Zero on our 30 foot leash and unpack the chairs. Together we build the tent and in no time, our happy little camp site is set up and ready to use.
Our site opens up to a path that loops around Siltcoos lagoon. We decide to take a much-needed walk to explore our surroundings.
The well trafficked narrow trail is lined with tall grass. To one side, thick green soupy water stands with green grass breaking the murky surface. As we walk, little wooden platforms welcome animal observation. As I snap pictures, Jeremy reads about the blue heron and the otter-like water animals called Nutria that have been implanted here from Brazil. We spot a family of nutria fleeing the sound of our footsteps and watch them dip and resurface 10 feet away.
With firewood we head back to camp and start making kindling. We spend the rest of the day enjoying the evening, playing cards, and walking around camp.
At night, we make dinner and settle in to talk around the fire, listening to nutria grunts, while Zero sleeps on our laps. We turn in early, exhausted from the full day of driving. I fall asleep fast and sleep better on the ground than I ever have before.
The next morning, I wake early at 5:30 AM to the chorus of bird song. I can hear everything from the small tweet tweets, to melodic whistles, to throating caws. I put on my cold shoes and quietly exit the dewy tent toward the bathroom. The world has drastically changed overnight. Now instead of blue skies, we are shrouded in fog. I catch a glimpse of the lagoon and see mist rising of the green sludge. After my bathroom break, I grab my camera and head back to the lagoon. As I had hoped, the mist slowly drifts and obscures the waters edge. I take some photos, hoping to see some wildlife. A blue heron flies by, and Instead of trying to get the shot, I just watch enjoying the moment.
When I return back to camp, Jeremy is up and he starts cooking breakfast. He makes us scrambled eggs with polish sausage and pours chili on top. It’s filling and laden with calories which will keep us full on our hike today. After dishes are done, we load Zero in the car and drive a short way down the road to Siltcoos lake trail.
Hiking the Siltcoos Lake Trail
We enter the trail surrounded by tall redwood trees covered in pale green moss, the trails lined with lush emerald colored fronds. Light pokes through the canopy and the pitter patter and thump of our collective feet breaks the silence of the forest. The path is broken by twisted roots, rising and falling gradually. This is so easy compared to Norway, I think in my head. It’s the first time in a while where I allow myself to be in the present and take every hue of green in.
Zero pulls on the leash harder, eager to explore and sniff more. After an hour, we arrive at a secluded camp site with picnic tables and a private trail leading to the lake. Jeremy and Zero take a quick nap, and I lay back on the bench and stare up into the canopy, watching the tall giants sway in the light breeze.
The hike back is equally as beautiful. We take the south loop this time instead of the north and come across a small creek. Zero jumps in, licks the surface of the cool water and emerges energized and ready to get back on the trail.
Back at the car, we exile Zero to the back of the car and head back into camp. Before we go, I silently thank the forest for having us and for continuing to grow.
A walk on the sand dunes
After a short rest we head out again to the Dunes at the beach. Our original plan is to hike along the Waxmyrtle campground trail that hugs the Siltcoos river, but we when a ranger spots Zero, she tells us we can’t take him to this part of the beach. We begrudgingly turn around, get in the car and drive to Siltcoos Beach Day Use OHV Staging.
When we arrive, two friendly rangers greet us and point us up the mountain of sand to get to the beach. Zero and Jeremy take the mountain easy, but I struggle and huff my way up the dune. By the time I reach the top, they are already halfway to the water, so I kick off my shoes and meet up with them. The water is brisk and refreshing and I let out a shriek of delight when it washes over my bare toes. I watch zero dive in and out of the water, then roll around in the sand to ensure maximum stickiness. His happiness fills my heart and Jeremy and I smile at each other, knowing this was what I needed just as much as hiking through the forest is what he needed.
This is why I love coastal camping so much. It’s the perfect combination of land and sea. We spend the rest of the night playing cards, making dinner, eating s’mores and watching the fire dance.
We talk of our plans for the future, places we want to go, and projects we want to accomplish. It was just enough time to de-stress and re-focus.