June 14, 2017

Oregon’s Painted Hills- A Journey Back in Time


Whether you are long time Oregon resident, or are planning a visit to the area, there are many places worth exploring. The Oregon Coast, Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood and Crater Lake are all well-known natural wonders which have captured the imagination and hearts of many a traveler. But have you heard of Oregon’sPainted Hills?  These are a spectacular site located within the John Day Fossil Beds Monument National Park in East/Central Oregon.

History comes alive with these colorfully layered mountains of earth. Hues ranging from reds to yellows, golds, blacks and browns fill the expanse of this geological wonder. What’s more these colors are enhanced by shades of green and lovely colorful flowers during the spring. A veritable rainbow is waiting for anyone who passes by.

The Painted Hills were formed over millions of years, including a time when the area was an ancient flood plain. Each color highlights a different geological era of flora and fauna, and the vast number of fossils found here have made this region one of the most acclaimed places for paleontologists to study.

The John Day Fossil Beds Monument Park includes not only the Painted Hills but two other main areas, The Claro Unit and Sheep Rock Unit, both with their own unique landscapes and fossil remains. Any science buff or naturalist is bound to find a treasure trove of exploration here. This part of Oregon is truly one of Nature’s best classrooms when it comes to learning about our ancient past. 

You can also take a step back in time to when the wild west was still being tamed with local museums such as the KamWah Chung State Heritage Site, where you can see first-hand where locals were treated with Chinese medicine and techniques one hundred years ago. The site is located in the town of John Day, not far from the Monument Park and Painted Hills. With the interpretive center and museum, the past influences of the local culture come to life.

One of the best ways to travel to this part of the state is via
the JourneyThrough Time Scenic Byway. Starting in Biggs, just past The Dalles in the Columbia River Gorge, you follow US-97 where you travel along two of Oregon’s biggest rivers, the Deschutes and John Day. From the town of Antelope, the byway heads east on OR-218, taking you to the John Day Fossil Bed Monument Park, and onward to another town steeped with Oregon history, Baker City near the Wallowa Mountains, another of Oregon’s 7 Wonders.

Beyond stepping back in time with vistas of the Painted hills and old ghost towns, there are also recreational activities to enjoy in this part of Oregon. One of the most exciting and popular ones being river rafting, a perfect way to stay cool in the heat of summer. There are also thousands of miles of trails for hiking, cycling or horseback riding. Those seeking a winter getaway have plenty of choices, such as skiing and snowmobiling to snow shoeing throughout the region.

There are a variety of local culinary treats to enjoy, from wine and beer to locally grown organic foods and artisan cafes, each small town has its own taste offerings. Located close to the Painted Hills in Mitchell, Oregon, you will find the Historic Oregon Hotel B&B, built originally in the 1800s, another excellent way to take a step back in time. There are also vacation rental properties available around the region.

If you are looking to experience a uniquely getaway, spend some time around one of Oregon’s 7 Wonders, the Painted Hills, you will be glad you did. The agents of C.P. Trips are here to help you plan a vacation full of transformative memories. Enjoy a worry-free journey with the support and care of a local Travel Professional*. Visit our website, cptrips.com to explore the latest in travel ideas, promotions and more. Call us at (503) 658-5646 or email us at cptrips@aol.com today- Keep Calm and Travel On.

 *We are excited to have the chance to help you with your vacation plans! We understand that you have many options to choose from when it comes to travel. Our standard fee policy is noted below for your reference.
With the time and expertise we give in our researching travel options and destinations for clients and potential customers, along with our continuing education and training, we have non-refundable fees of $ 30.00 for domestic travel research & planning and $ 75.00 for International travel research & planning. This research fee is applied to your vacation package when purchased through C.P. Trips, Inc.In addition to our research fee, there is an airline ticket/service fee: $30 per person/ticket for US flights, $65 per person/ticket for International flights. Other fees for certain additional requested bookings such as, but not limited to: lodgings, excursion activities, and destination specialty requests will be applied ($15.00 - $45.00) depending on type of booking completed.  Initial Research/Planning fee due prior to trip planning; all other fees due at time of invoicing. Thank you, we look forward to helping you make your vacation dreams a reality!

        Photo Attributions:


               1) By Finetooth (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL                                (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
              2) https://www.flickr.com/photos/lorenkerns/14222562599/
              3)By Ian Poellet (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia                        Commons
              4)https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmoregon/28142900866
              5)https://www.flickr.com/photos/tsaiproject/8493307191

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