Last week we continued exploring the John Day Fossil Beds. These fossil beds have had a place in my memory since I was a child. I read and re-read The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek by Evelyn Sibly Lampman when I was still in grade school. It was a story about a couple of children at a summer camp that dug for fossils, they befriended a dinosaur named George. It took place in Oregon’s high desert in a place much like the John Day beds. She also wrote Rusty’s Spaceship another of my favorite books as a child.

Friday we left Sisters and drove to the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil beds. Be sure to check out Tricia’s post today for some amazing photos. Here are a couple pieces I did.

From there we stopped at Mitchell, Oregon for lunch on our way to the Sheep Rock Unit before heading back to Prineville – we drove 224 miles that day.

We took it a bit easier the next day, Saturday, just visiting some state parks and reserves in the area, still we logged about 70 miles.

The only Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds left was the Clarno Unit, the smallest and least developed, 78 miles north east from Prineville. We drove back to Prineville via Mitchell as it was a more scenic drive. All in all that day we drove another 185 miles – sure a good thing I completely enjoy driving.

Monday we went to Sunriver for lunch. The brewery was having furnace problems, it was quite cold, so we went to the Village Grill. Then we drove back to Bend to stay in a beautiful condo right on the Deschutes River – 77 miles that day. We were so glad to be there because The High Desert Inn at Prineville was quite a dump. The next day we did not drive at all, just walked and took it easy. And a bit of art.

One of the oldest and best restaurants in Bend is the Pine Tavern. We walked along the river from our condo and had a wonderful lunch. I had blackened Oregon rockfish on mash with asparagus. I do love fish more than beef any day.

Thursday we drove back to The Pearl, taking the longer route through The Dalles, then down the Columbia Gorge to Portland – 216 miles. We drove about 1000 miles last week, and loved it all. We revisited many memories, and made some new ones. It was a good time.

If you saw my Tuesday blog I wrote about my childhood as a carny. My sister just sent me a photo from those days, when I was two. She would not come along for four more years. Here is me with my mom, carnival stuff in the background.

This coming week will be quite different. I will be joining the Urban Sketchers of Portland tomorrow, Tricia is off with a friend to the No Kings Rally. Sunday Lunch will be a treat, more on that next week.

I hope your fall is enjoyable, I do like the cooler days and the food and such that comes with it. Thank you as always for visiting and commenting. I hope you dig out your stuff and do a sketch now and then, I always love it when you share them.