John Day Fossil Beds (Part II) – Sheep Rock and Thomas Condon Paleontology Center

I interrupt this weekly travel post with a comment to my fellow bloggers. I love reading and commenting on blog posts written by those I follow. I am way behind, taking over a week off from my reading as we did some traveling on our journey back to North Dakota for the summer. I’ll be playing “catch up” in my reading over the next few days.

Now back to our regularly scheduled travel post.

Kimberly, Oregon.

Last week, dear reader, I presented photos of our visit to the John Day Fossil Beds, Clarno Unit. At the time, we didn’t know there are actually three units to the national monument. I was to find out later that Clarno is the least visited unit of the park. Besides Clarno, there is Sheep Rock, with the nearby Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, and the Painted Hills unit. As we continued on our journey along the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, we arrived at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, and basically, just across the highway, Sheep Rock, (the peak with the dark top) pictured above.

Cellpic Sunday – 2 May 2021

Phoenix, Arizona.

It’s been a long year of relative isolation from family and friends. Now that we have been vaccinated, we have been looking forward to meeting with my sister and her boyfriend, both now vaccinated as well. It has been an annual event for them to come to visit in January during the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction. Since the auction, too, was delayed until March, it seemed a great time to invite them to stay with us in Buckeye for a few days. Our plans always include finding something else to do while they are in town.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument – Stories of Ancient Oregon

Fossil, Oregon.

Even the panoramic view in the image above cannot do justice to the magnitude of the cliffs in the John Day Fossil Beds, Clarno Unit. Highway 218 parallels a range of cliffs that is known as The Palisades. I must admit initial confusion as to the specific location of the fossil beds only to learn after visiting this unit that there are three units and an interpretive center, each some distance apart. Our GPS brought us to the Clarno unit, so we will begin our story here.

Cellpic Sunday – April 25, 2021

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Our first trip to Yellowstone last October left us wanting to return soon. It turned out to be as beautiful as I expected, and we spent an extra day in the area to travel between Yellowstone and the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Known for its geothermal energy, Yellowstone also straddles small parts of Idaho and Montana.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Taking Flight

Thank you, Tina Schell, for selecting a topic that is near and dear to this old man’s heart. There are thousands of varieties of natural aviators in the world, all beautiful and graceful in flight. In the opening photo, for example, a Harris Hawk is on the hunt for a suitable meal to share with the pack. This raptor is one of the few birds of prey that hunts in a group. When prey is spotted, the group surrounds the target, and a single hawk swoops in for the kill. The meal is then shared with the group. My challenge-response this week, however, focuses on the human aviator.

Rowena Crest and Memaloose – Columbia Gorge Scenic Byway (Part Two)

Mosier, Oregon.

On last week’s Travel Tuesday, I introduced you to the Columbia Gorge Scenic Byway that features but a sampling of the many waterfalls in the region. The byway also provides wonderful views of the Columbia River as the highway follows the bends of the river. When you get far enough east, you will find yourself back on I-84 at mile marker 35. To see more scenic views of the region, though, be sure to exit I-84 at exit 69 near the city of Mosier.

Cellpic Sunday – 18 April 2021

Buckeye, Arizona.

This week I thought I’d share the Cellpic Sunday image in a different way. On a beautiful Arizona evening, we walked just short of a mile to the nearby Sundance Golf Course and Restaurant. From the patio of the restaurant, there is a great view of the putting green and some of the course. In the background is the White Tank Mountain Range.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Colorful April

Buckeye, Arizona.

This week, Amy asks us to show off our April colors in a challenge she calls, “Colorful April.” She writes, “We invite you to join us and share your photos of colorful April in your local park, garden, neighborhood, or your own backyard.” You can read her entire challenge post here.

Columbia Gorge Scenic Byway – Historic Columbia River Highway

Portland, Oregon.

Probably one of the most traveled scenic byways in the United States, this highway was constructed in 1913 and features 70 miles (112 km) of scenic wonders. Waterfalls and overlooks of the gorge entice many millions of tourists every year. Head out of Portland on I-84 and take the exit to Troutdale at exit 17. Pick up the Scenic Byway on U.S. Highway 30.

Cellpic Sunday – 11 April 2021

Buckeye, Arizona.

It wasn’t our first hike on this section of the Verrado Trails, but with a cloudy sky and cool temperatures, it was more pleasant than if it was under the typically hot Arizona sun. The hike is a giant loop clocking in at about 2.5 hours and 5.5 miles (8.8 km).