I took an easy ride through Salem today to check out a few parks for CX training -- Forest River Park (Pioneer Park) was a great find and not far from the trail -- and Salem Willows came in second as another decent option (with some creativity).
Heading over to the Willows, I ran into a friend who works for the National Park Service, so I hopped off the bike and chatted with him for a bit while we walked down to the tall ship Friendship. I've never actually been on it, (a tourist thing), but it looks neat. I continued my ride down to the Willows and then returned through Marblehead along the trail, exploring the woods behind Hawthorn Pond, (which is covered edge to edge in flourescent green algae.) Fun day, on road and off road.