If you haven’t taken the time to travel out to Eastern Oregon, boy oh boy, are you are missing out! Are you a history, geology, or archaeology buff? Do you have little kids who love dinosaurs and fossils? Do you love traveling beautiful, open country, with little to no traffic? Well if so, there’s an adventure to be had for one and all… The city of Fossil, Oregon, population 470, is situated in a picturesque valley in the rolling foothills of the John Day Basin, just three hours from Portland. This small community offers a few options for RV camping, and is located just about midway along the 286 mile “Journey Through Time”, Oregon’s only official cultural and heritage scenic byway tour route which celebrates pristine fossil and geologic resources, Old West culture and charming small towns. Rich with centuries of history, this scenic byway tells stories of fortunes made and lost, of Chinese laborers, of towns boomed and busted, of timber, agriculture, gold miners and pioneer settlers. This route begins in the town of Biggs and ends in Baker City. It meanders through beautiful country… taking you through ghost towns, and farming communities that bring the Old West to life. The beautiful John Day River follows you through most of the byway and offers excellent fishing, rafting, swimming, and camping throughout the drive. Geology lovers will take delight in the interpretive trails at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument As you make your way through all three units of the fossil beds, the Clarno unit, the Painted Hills unit, and the Sheep Rock unit, you’ll experience up close and personal a special story of the earth’s history; of sea beds which have long been dry and extinct of creatures. Things not to be missed: The majestic Painted Hills, Cathedral Rock, the Thomas Condon Paleontology Museum near Kimberly, the gold mining remnants in Sumpter, and the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City. When you end your journey in Baker City, you’ll want to hit Paizano’s Pizza for the best bites and beer in town. If you take this journey through time and have photos to share with us, you can do it on our Facebook page.