Eastern Oregon: Painted Hills

A few weekends ago we took a long day trip to Eastern Oregon to see the Painted Hills. Declared by some to be one of the seven wonders of Oregon, I didn't know anything about them myself, but was, as they say, along for the ride. I can confirm that the hills were indeed painted and quite lovely.

Tags:

travel,

oregon

Recent Comments

BethAnn Shepherd Sun, 04/05/2015 - 08:57

Amazing photos, Marisa! What a beautiful place! It looks like you were having a very good time. Thanks so much for sharing these. It's helping me reflect, today... I'm feeling the need to write a blog post! =)

Rosemary Kanspedos Fri, 03/13/2015 - 13:28

Beautiful - thanks so much for sharing!

Kathy Tate Reynolds Fri, 03/13/2015 - 12:48

I have also seen the Painted Hills, but haven't ventured to the other two units ... now you've inspired me to plan a Spring Break trip out there with my 10yo and 5yo. FUN!

Kathy Tate Reynolds Fri, 03/13/2015 - 12:45

Let's see if we can't get some tourism coming to Oregon! The Painted Hills are but a small piece of the wonderous John Day Fossil Beds National Monument ... it is one of the three Units of the NM. There is also the Clarno Unit http://www.nps.gov/joda/clarno_unit.htm and the Sheep Rock unit http://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/sr-unit.htm. Beautiful pictures, Marisa! *heart*

Melody Shaw Fri, 03/13/2015 - 11:51

You captured some AMAZING photographs. Thanks for sharing.

Rose Thorn Fri, 03/13/2015 - 10:21

Lovely photos, Marisa; I see some great color palettes in the making here!

Véronique Van Weddingen Fri, 03/13/2015 - 08:31

Magnifique !!! Merci pour de beau voyage géologique !

Katja aka DoggiNo Fri, 03/13/2015 - 06:54

I doubt that I will ever see them in real life, so THANKS for sharing them ! It's so gorgeous ! I could sit there for hours and just stare.

April Rogers Thu, 03/12/2015 - 19:55

If you love wild life go to Harney County (Burns) area. It has a bird festival every March The variety of the birds are amazing. You don't expect to see brown pelicans in high desert. I miss the painted hills too. Lovely photos.
xo April

Susan Cantin Thu, 03/12/2015 - 12:01

Breathtaking photos Melisa :)

Su! Hall Thu, 03/12/2015 - 09:16

I love geology, anyway, so, these photos are really nice! The layers tell the story of the time in which each was made. My guess is its copper that makes those last few images' rocks to be that 'teal' color? Were you allowed to hunt fossils? There is a dig near me here in Florida that is just chock full of early horse jaw bones. My brother was a 'rock hound' as a child and we would stop by mines and different spots on vacation and dig/pan all kinds of goodies. I got an emerald and a slew of rubies. It's fun! Looks like a wonderful place to go! Thanks for sharing! Su

Callie Douglass Thu, 03/12/2015 - 08:31

What a pretty place!

Julie Cowan Thu, 03/12/2015 - 07:02

Lovely colors in that landscape! Looks similar to the hills around Dubois, Wyoming, just outside Yellowstone National Park. The clouds really help bring out the colors in those photos. Thanks for sharing, Marisa!

France Stewart Thu, 03/12/2015 - 05:25

Wow! That's a really pretty part of the world!

Vicki Iseminger Thu, 03/12/2015 - 03:49

Wow! I had never heard of the Painted Hills. I'd definitely like to visit sometime.

Robyn Denton Wed, 03/11/2015 - 22:47

Wow, just WOW! Gorgeous place with stunning scenery - thank you for sharing your life and travels with us, Marisa & Jordan. Keep going to all these beautiful places, and keep letting us "armchair travel" with you!

Kathie Gray Wed, 03/11/2015 - 17:50

Wow how beautiful! There used to be some cliffs with colour like that on the Isle of Wight (UK) but of course they were tiny by comparison and quickly got worn away by tourism so aren't as impressive these days. If I ever make it back "across the pond" those hills would definitely be worth a visit.

Beatrice Loren Wed, 03/11/2015 - 14:55

Gorgeous photos.

Patricia Hardin Wed, 03/11/2015 - 14:05

What a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing Marisa.

Dawn Prater Wed, 03/11/2015 - 09:48

what a beautiful and tranquil place!! and indeed they are painted and like Lilian, the pastel colored rocks are amazing!! If I ever get to Oregon I will definitely have to visit the Painted Hills.

Pauline Thompson Wed, 03/11/2015 - 09:45

Beautiful!

Lilian Jansen Wed, 03/11/2015 - 07:43

I love the pink and pistachio colored rocks, great pictures!

Blog By

Marisa Lerin

About Me

Hi There! I’m Marisa Lerin and you’ll see me around at Pixel Scrapper a lot. I started this site in 2010 soon after I discovered a new love in digital scrapbooking. Pixel Scrapper has gone through some significant changes since that time and it’s grown into this lovely community site you are seeing now. I am daily surprised by the turn of life’s events that has led me down this path. If you're new to the site, welcome! Here are a few tidbits about me that I hope will help you get to know me better!

I’m originally from Minnesota, USA, but spent a good chunk of my childhood living abroad (in Bolivia and Hong Kong). I returned to Minnesota to attend university, got married and then moved overseas again (Korea, then Jordan and 1 year of traveling). My designs are heavily influenced by these many nomadic years. I am currently back in the USA, now living in the great state of Oregon!

I have no official training for what I’m doing, since I decided very wisely (haha) to study physics in university. I am always learning new things about digital scrapbooking, and this community has been immensely helpful for that!

If I manage to stop digital scrapbooking you will probably find me watching TV, reading or baking. I also enjoy writing for the blog here at Pixel Scrapper where I talk about whatever happens to be catching my fancy at the moment.