Thanks for the kind words. To answer a few questions, the John Day
Fossil Beds National Monument is in North Central Oregon. It is divided
into 3 Units. We visited the Painted Hills Unit just a few miles north
of state Hwy 26 and a few miles west of Mitchell.
>Do you know what are the markings that track up the hill?
>Sasquatch tracks? The scale is not obvious.
>
Probably deer or coyote. We saw both in the immediate vicinity. Scale
was deceptive even there in person with nothing to judge distances by.
Also saw pronghorn here but they tend to hang out in different more open
habitat. Very shy creatures and difficult to photograph. _IF_ I had had
the 300Tam mounted and ready I might have had a chance this time but
only managed a few blurry shots as they quickly left. e.g.
<http://www.interisland.net/watershed/mike/E%20OR/pronghorn06a.jpg>
>Was it Hell's canyon that was impassable to Lewis?
>
Impassable? Technically no as it was frequented by the Nez Perce (and
guys in camouflage while we were there) but I'm sure he purposely choose
a different route after hearing of the difficulties of Hells Canyon
(sic, don't ask me why)
>I was born in the Palouse country and still farm there.
>
Most beautiful in the spring. Is the farm on the ID side?
>Are the painted hills all volcanic cinders?
>
Ash I think and very soft. Most of E OR is volcanic with only the Blues
left sticking above the floods of basalt and ash. These basalt floods
only equaled in India I think.
"Roadside Geology" series of books recommended reading on road trips.
>...bare hills in Oregon !
>
Lots of them! Contrary to stereotype OR and WA are 2/3 _dry_. Only the
coastal band and mountains is soggy.
<http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub/maps/Precipitation/Total/States/OR/or.gif>
<http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub/maps/Precipitation/Total/States/WA/wa.gif>
Next trip is down to Lake County.
Mike
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
|
