This past week, we finally made our much anticipated trip to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Read more about this gorgeous place at John Day Website Moreover, there are at least three separate sections of the John Day Fossil Beds, and our focus was on the Painted Hills section near Mitchell Oregon. As described online, the Painted Hills Unit contains 3,132 acres of scenic marvels unique even in the Pacific Northwest. Located 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, and 75 miles east of Bend, the Painted Hills are visited year-round. Most years, the peak of wildflower season in late April to early May is spectacular. The yellows, golds, blacks, and reds of the Painted Hills are best seen in the late afternoon, but our visit was in the early morning when the shadows appeared
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