Jun 20 2009
The Painted Hills
A few days ago (you can see I’m somewhat behind in my photo editing), I visited the Ochoco National Forest and took a trip to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Unit.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a 14,000-acre (5,700 ha) park in eastern Oregon. Located within the John Day River Basin, this U.S. National Monument is world renowned for its well preserved, remarkably complete record of fossil plants and animals, a record that spans more than 40 of the 65 million years of the Cenozoic Era (also known as the Age of Mammals and Flowering Plants). The monument is divided into three units: Painted Hills (named for the delicately colored stratifications) northwest of Mitchell, Sheep Rock which is northwest of Dayville, and Clarno which is 20 miles (32 km) west of Fossil. Blue Basin is a volcanic ash bowl transformed into claystone by eons of erosion, colored pastel blue by minerals.Visitors can follow trails into the badlands and examine fossils displayed at the visitor center while scientists continue field investigations and the painstaking analysis of the monument’s vast fossil record.
It was somewhat of a “quick trip” in the early morning, but still spectacular.
My friend Terri has been asking for a photo of my girl, so here she is relaxing in the Ochoco National Forest. If you have a chance, go visit her and her hubby Ray who are camp-hosting along the beautiful Maine coast with their furry ones at Land Yacht Safari.
Today, I’m off to Florence to meet up with the WIN RV group…
Great photos. As usual!
oh, thanks you made my day with the Cali Girl photo….she looks sharp as a tack and totally blissed out…..the John Day Fossil beds are one thing we missed in Eastern Oregon…we will do that next time…..Florence is where the sand dunes are where they sand surf or maybe it is called something else….that would be a great photo opportunity for you…..thanks for mentioning the blog….safe travel…..
Great photo…I love to see your travels!
Cali looks so content. I hope you are both having a wonderful time on your summer trek!
Cheryl, looks like u are having a great time! Being away from home is usually the “cure all!” Love it, girl!! Keep us updated!!!