Fossils, and Rivers, and Rocks, Oh My!

From our campground just east of Mt. Vernon, Oregon, we mapped out a circle tour of about 115 miles.


Going east on Hwy 26, first stop was this bridge over troubled waters…or maybe that’s the troubled bridge over the water…
 

The sign says “No Trespassing”…somehow I don’t think they need to worry about that!  This is the shed that goes with the bridge.
 
Our main goal was to explore some of the area of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.  First stop was the Mascall Formation Overlook.  As it says on the sign, time in this area is measured in millions of years.  Strange geographical formations dot the landscapes and within those rocks are hidden a plethora of strange and wonderful fossils. 


A moderately steep two lane road ascends to this overlook which provides a wide view over a small part of the fossil area.  The road is not as steep as it seems in the beginning and provides access and parking for all but the largest of motor homes.  We were in the Fit but Therapy could have made the climb as well.  There are restroom facilities at the overlook.


We came, we saw, we froze!!  Be sure and take a jacket as the wind can be bitingly cold.  Russ stayed to take some photos as Poppy and I headed back to the car – a very short walk.  Poppy was pleased the designers had thoughtfully placed a doggy sidewalk along the gravel path.  She was so grateful she did not have to walk on the gravel on her tender Princess Poppy pads.


We traveled north on Hwy 19 to the Sheep Unit of the John Day National Monument.  This is where the Condon Visitor's Center is located.  Again, plenty of room for RV parking and turn-around.

The visitor’s center has myriad fossil displays, all housed in diorama type settings.  This is also a working research center and a large display window allows visitors to watch the preparation of fossils that have been found in the area.  There are also some trails for the more adventurous.  We stuck with the visitor's center  and outside viewing areas.





Just a couple of the hundreds of fossils that are on display. 

There are actually several areas that are part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.  Continuing north on Hwy 19, just a couple of miles from the visitor’s center, is the James Cant Ranch.  It sits in the shadow of sheep rock and was an important part of the history of the area.  Unfortunately, the ranch house is not open on weekends and we were there on a Saturday.  The outside is open every day and there are miles of trails to explore as well as picnic areas on the wide expanse of lawn.   This is a perfect spot to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of one of the many apple trees.




Sheep rock is the dominating feature of this landscape.  Here it peeks out from behind the wheel of one of the old pieces of farming equipment on display.  Sorry about the blown-out sky on so many of my pictures.  I really need to be using the big camera with a polarizing filter…too late now.


Before heading east on Hwy. 402 we stopped at one more overlook.  Just one photo as we came around the bend…this is Cathedral Rock (no, not the one in Sedona!!)  The rest of the photos are in a slide show you can see by clicking here.



At the little town of Monument, we took a rest stop at a local river front park.  As luck would have it, the caretaker was there mowing and he stopped to talk to us.  He told us how just a year ago in May, the river had flooded and the park was under three feet of water. 

This fella takes real pride in his work and has labored faithfully to clear the debris and get the park back into pristine condition.  He was retired but so loved this park that he took on the job of caretaker.  All this work he does is with his ever present oxygen tank, tubes feeding the air into his lungs as he works.  He said to us he is so happy when he is working and he will be happy if he dies sitting right there on his John Deere.

If only we could all be so content.
More adventures awaited as we headed back toward Hwy 395, but that will keep for tomorrow.   For now…
(don’t make me say it)

Rock On!

Okay, here’s the post I promised a few days ago.  We left John Day and made our way to the Madras area of central Oregon.  Once again Sam (our GPS) tried her best to kill us by getting us off onto dirt roads leading to nowhere.  But we are smarter than that by now.  She can’t put that one over on us again, no siree!  We knew where we were going and how to get there.  I just had Sam turned on so she could have a panic attack when we didn’t follow her directions.  Take that, Sam.  Sam and I have a real love/hate relationship going on.

The highway between John Day and Madras is a beautiful drive.  The John Day River is in evidence along the road and the hills mountain formations are always interesting.



I had looked up the John Day Fossil Beds before we set out but could not find any information that told about parking at the visitor’s centers.  I was concerned that we might get in a tight spot and have to un-hitch to get out so we didn’t stop at any of them this time.  However, I did write a letter to the National Park Service suggesting that they put RV parking information on their website.  Imagine my surprise when I got a very nice reply stating that was a good suggestion and they would see what they could do to make it happen!  Sure hope they follow through.



This did seem to be a journey through time, as the sign says.  The ancient rocks and mountains and the river flowing alongside, made me think about how long these things have been here.  I don’t know for sure, but I think they are older than I am!!

As we climbed to the top of yet another ridge and saw nothing but mores hills and mountains in the distance, I wondered what the early settlers thought when they first viewed these same scenes.  Were they discouraged that they had yet another mountain to climb or were they excited at the prospect?  I imagine there was a little of both of these feeling, along with a big dose of just plain weariness.  Rugged people, those.



Anyway, our destination was actually the KOA in Culver, about 7 miles south of Madras.  I know, no real RVer ever wants to stay at  a KOA but I was really needing an internet fix and a place to stay put for a few days while doing some exploring – and some laundry!  We had stayed at this KOA in August and found it quite satisfactory.  It was a lot quieter now, but they were finished with ice cream socials and pancake breakfasts .  Anyway, I like this park and the people who run it.  It is a rural setting and very quiet at night.  We had an end spot and a great view of the fields and horses across the street.  I would recommend this KOA to anyone staying in the area.






We had seen a sign for  Richardson Rock Ranch, 11 north of Madras on Hwy. 97 and so we decided to visit.  This is one of those places where you can dig your own thunder eggs and agates.  They also have a rock shop and museum.  They said the road was paved to the shop and office but the digging beds were on unpaved roads of 6-8 miles from the ranch.

We took the paved road, which a mile from their ranch, turned into a dirt/gravel road.  It was not smooth going!  Our poor little Fit jumped and rattled but got us there in one piece.
You have never seen so many rocks in one place in all your life!  There were buckets and barrels and tables and corrals of rocks.  More were piled on the ground and there were huge piles of the biggest chunks of petrified wood I have ever seen.



Interesting place but there is NO WAY I am going to rumble over 8 miles of gravel road just to dig my own rocks.  Miss Fit said “NO.”  We didn’t buy anything but we enjoyed looking.  They also had quite a few peacocks roaming around and two emus inside an enclosure.













On the way back to the highway, Russ wanted to stop several times and snap a few pictures.





Looks like someone is gonna have to fix that thar fence!



Next we take a trip to see the Crooked River and Lake Simtustus.  That’s where the scary road comes in!