The Road Less Traveled

Years ago when Mary was a baby, George and I both read a book called Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.  I don't remember a whole lot about the details but I do know that this quote stuck with us both.

Sometimes it's a little better to travel than to arrive.  

In 1979 we had planned a trip from our home in Colorado to the Canadian Rockies.  Instead of going the quick, easy way on the 4 lane roads, we took the 'roads less traveled' and boy did it make a difference!  As we were driving on a 2-lane road somewhere in Montana, we came over a hill to see a group of cowboys moving their rather large herd of cattle right down the middle of the road.  Of course we slowed and planned to follow but the cowboys encouraged us to drive into the herd and assured us that they would part for us.  They did but we still had several minutes completely surrounded by cows with 1 year old Mary loudly 'mooing' in her car seat.

When we got into Canada we took a gravel, forestry trunk road that took us deep into the mountains.  It was incredibly beautiful and we felt totally alone much of the time.  A wonderful memory!

On our way home from Boise after our 4th of July celebration, George again decided to have an adventure.  Normally we just get on Interstate 84 fairly close to our home in Eagle and stay on it until we arrive in Portland.  This time we took the small US highways through rural Oregon and were treated to more of the beauty of the state.

I often say that heaven will look like Oregon on a sunny day.  I picture the beautiful coastline, the majesty of Mt. Hood, the tall trees and abundant flowers of Portland but the high deserts of eastern Oregon have their own kind of heavenly beauty!

First stop was the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument where we were able to see well preserved fossil plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.

I've never been much of a rock hound. I blame it on an extremely boring geology teacher in college but these fossils were quite amazing to see because the imprints are so clear!

The visitor's center is right below "Sheep Mountain".

Next we stopped at an area known as 'The Painted Hills'.   It is easy to see how they got their name.

They are billed as one of the "Seven Wonders of Oregon".

George and I agreed that this was worth the extra hours in the car! Sometimes it is all about the journey!