Exploring the Glorious John Day Valley

Friday, we headed to Mount Vernon to show my listing there. This trip, however, we decided to dawdle a bit on our way home Saturday.

I always love making that drive from Prineville to Mount Vernon. Even on a bad day, it's a picturesque setting. First, you wind your way through the towering pine forests of the Ochoco Mountains and slowly segue into the exotic prehistoric rock formations of the John Day Valley. Then there's that touch of the unexpected near Mitchell: the hilarious spectacle of the infamous Shoe Tree (see photo below). It's actually this area's second version; you'll find it near mile market 89.

This year, the Ochocos are as lush and green as I've ever seen. A bonus from the wet winter, I suppose. The spring wildflowers are all in bloom, and the rivers are all running high. Just gorgeous.

Meanwhile, we played tourist and stopped in at the Sheep Rock Unit visitor center of the John Day Fossil Bed National Monument, home of some pretty incredible prehistoric fossilized remains. Even though I've driven through the John Day Fossil Beds countless times, it never occurred to me that this area is one of the richest fossil beds in the world. Holy smokes! Hidden in the vibrantly tinted and striated rocks are some 40 million years of history of plant and animal life. Believe it or not, more than 22,000 specimens have been recorded by the park's Fossil Research Study Collection.

The James Cant Ranch House Historical Museum, which sits at base of Sheep Rock, was once home to a prominent Scottish sheep rancher. It now features an exhibit on cultural history of the John Day Valley and serves as National Park Service headquarters for the Fossil Beds. The ranch house, surrounding buildings and 200 acres have been designated a National Historic District.

There are two other popular stops on the Fossil Bed tour: the Clarno Unit, famous for its so-called "nut beds" (formed millions of years ago when massive mudflows engulfed a forest), and the Painted Hills Unit, which contains 3,132 acres of scenic wonders unique even in the Pacific Northwest.

Below are a few more photos from the trip. Enjoy your stay!

The Ochoco Mountains awash in vivid greens.

Playing tourist at the Sheep Rock visitor center.

Another view of Sheep Rock, from the James Cant Ranch House Historical Museum.

Mountain lupine in bloom in Mt. Vernon.

An apple blossom in the Ochocos.

The wacky shoe tree near Mitchell.