John Day Fossil Beds: Sheep Rock Divison

 

   One of our destinations in the US was the John Day Fossil Beds which we had "flown by" via car on our way to Death Valley many years ago.  We had the opportunity to visit the town of John Day, and the museum,  which is centered on the lives of 2 Chinese,  settlers is worth a visit:  the Kam Wah Chung Museum and the building is a National Historic Landmark.  Failing to achieve a campsite in the National Forest near the town (fires had closed roads) we stayed at a state park and the next day went to the Sheep Rock division of the Fossil Beds.  Everything is totally "free" in this area even though it is part of the National Parks.  I guess this is because it is a National Monument and not a park.  We had a lovely hike through the fossil beds - this picture does not do it justice.  The hazy skies from the area smoke is visible.  The hike had a lot of variety and a side route leads you to the popular part of the site - some actual fossils on display.  At the headquarters, there is a large display of the entire area and the fossils found in it - I was impressed with all of the dioramas and the amount of work that has gone into the displays. 

 

Travels in America:  Rattlesnake Pass

We made the decision to leave Clarkston and take WA 129 into Oregon.  When you look on the map, it's pretty straight forward and I offered to drive.  One hairpin turn appears on the 50 states atlas.  Little did I know that I would encounter Rattlesnake Pass.  We got to the top of the pass pretty quickly and saw the summit sign.  Then the descent began.  I have never felt vertigo when I've been the driver but I did notice it here.  We did not  pull over to take a picture or change drivers - there were rare opportunities.  This photo appears care of a friend, Annette, who travelled north over the pass a couple of weeks later.  It's an amazing road in a very sparse area for population.  I wonder how often it closes in winter??  At the bottom, we crossed the Grande Rondo River before it travels further east and joins the Snake River.  This is an extraordinary road and very scenic - not recommended if you don't like exposure!  We arrived in OR and had more stunning viewpoints and as we made our way to Enterprise, OR.  

 Travels in America:  Lewiston/Clarkston

Our original intention was to spend a day in Moscow and we did enjoy visiting the University of Idaho's arboretum in that town.  We did not find satisfactory places for camping.  We headed south and decided to stay in Lewiston or Clarkston.  It worked out well for us because we were introduced to a long, winding road off the newer highway into Lewiston, ID.  Here's the Lewiston version of the highway into Bella Coola (only this one isn't nearly as long.)  

The Snake River divides the states of WA and ID and Lewiston is location on the ID side, while Clarkston is on the WA side.  We thought this road looked pretty impressive.  Little did we know what we were in for on the other side when we travelled over Rattlesnake Pass.  Here's the view of the Snake at Lewiston/Clarkston: