Day 17 (Aug. 17, '09)

We are having a hard time keeping track of days. We thought for sure today was Sunday. Left Simtustus Lake around 8:30 AM. Headed toward the Painted Hills.

John Day Fossil Beds and the Painted Hills is an incredible place. Very unique and beautiful area. The hills have wavy lines of red, white and black running through them.

The spectacular Painted Hills.

The road from Lake Simtustus to our current location (Clyde Holliday Park, outside of Mt. Vernon) has been really gorgeous. Craggy hills, tall pines, grassy farmlands with the aroma of juniper and sage. We are very glad we have taken this route.

Ate Ramin noodles mixed with chicken tuscan Campbell's soup.

Tall, flat mesas are rising. The hills area dotted with pines like the contrast of a checkerboard. Beneath these hills are green fields with muscular shiny horses; sheds stacked high with hay. Anne and I are really enjoying the trip and each other.

Closing in on the town of John Day. John Day was an explorer, much like Lewis and Clark, in 1810. Hired by the government to find fur trading routes to the Columbia River. He got stripped naked by Indians and left to survive on his own without supplies in 1812. Made it out alive. A lot of places throughout this state are named after him.

Blue skies, large yellow sun flowers reaching the sky. Stopping at McD's for a Hot Fudge Sundae and vanilla cone.

A few miles before Givens Hot Springs, Idaho.

Drove the rest of the evening until we arrived at Givens Hot Springs. Wow. Kind of a creepy place. Big, Old indoor pool (hot sulphur water). We were the only people there besides the owners who with their family were in the pool. The whole place was dimly lit, were afraid we would step on a snake outside... maybe even inside. Froze again sleeping. The air mattress deflated for the 4th time.

-Cecil and Anne

No comments:

Post a Comment