Yes, another long day....

June 28 – Another long day….

Here I am driving across the bridge

We left the park by 9 and drove separately as we figured it would be a lot less stress on the RV for Bill to follow me up and out of the canyon.  Also, it was easier for him to stop and get photos since we didn’t get any yesterday on the way in.  On my way out there was a deer eating on the edge of the road but, of course, by the time I stopped and got my phone in hand, it had scurried up the hill.  I did stop a couple of

View down in the canyon to the lake

times and took a photo as this is a very low traffic area.  Unless you are going to the State Park, there is no reason to be on the roads.

I stopped on the top at a convenience store that had plenty of room for Bill to get in behind me so we could hook up.  Then we headed East to go North and then East.  We drove through more lush farm areas today but then the mountains popped up.  I was so tired of up and down and

Canyon wall from the road

around!  When we’d get in the valleys the roads had such lovely views of lush green fields and various types of plants and seeing the mountains in the distance was much more to my liking than driving them all day!  When I thought we were done, it started all over, but I will say, I’ve really put my

Field of ???

exhaust brake to the test.  I have a real feeling of security when I’m using it! 

Our only stop for the day was John Day Fossil Beds.  It’s a bit off the main road but their interpretive center was awesome.  We arrived at lunch time, so good timing!

Sheep Rock

They had a great video about fossil recovery, a huge circular room display of fossils, other displays in the main hall, and of course a gift shop.  The park encompasses 14,000 acres and so much is yet to be discovered.  The center is called Thomas Condon Paleontology Center and is located by Sheep Rock, one of the many dig sites.  They house fossils going back

Various fossils

approximately 55 million years.  It’s so hard to fathom.  It was very interesting.  I’d love to go on a dig!

When we got back to the RV a couple was hovering and we learned that she was driving their truck camper and SQUEEZING in front of us to get into a space and hit our passenger side mirror.  She pointed out the scratch on it and Bill told her it was not too bad so they left.  Well, then we realized it wasn’t just scratched but moved so far that neither he or I could see anything behind us in the coach.  We tried to move the arm of the mirror to no avail.  Luckily we were on just 2 lane roads and no turning that I needed to see the right side or lane.

During our drive we were quite surprised at the wildlife we encountered crossing the road!  There were little chipmunks, a ground hog, the first shocker was a pheasant!  We thought they were pretty much extinct.  About a mile further a male peacock flew up from the right side of the road, he was beautiful!  Then not too much further was a mother pheasant scooting her babies across the road.  So unexpected and of course, no photos!

The rest of our long day was just driving those hills and valleys.  We reserved at site in Vale, OR and when we arrived the office was closed.  Bill found reservation sheets for people but none for us.  He called and the lady said, oh, she had it with her and told him our space number and how to get to it.  She said she’d bring the sheet over but she never did.

After dinner we took a look at the mirror and found the bolt to loosen and Bill got out the ratchet and loosened it.  We moved it but then with the slide out I really couldn’t tell if it was OK.  So we will try to adjust it in the morning before we pull out.  Bill contacted Frank, our mobile RV tech at home, and told him about it and he said to replace it would run about $900.  WE better be able to fix it!