Fort Rock State Park

While many people headed to the lake or river, Dale and I spent Independence Day in the Desert! We visited Fort Rock State Park, which looks huge in the barren, immense flatness of Oregon’s high desert. It resembles a fort, but it’s actually an old shield volcano set in what was a shallow sea in prehistoric times. It’s hard to believe that Native Americans used to canoe to and from what was then an island. Sandals found in a nearby cave are the oldest ever discovered in Oregon, dating back around 9,000 years.

The loop trail, which follows the inside wall of the formation, is about one mile total, but we took almost three hours to see everything we wanted to see. We also climbed some of the easier rocks. Though it was sunny, the coolness of the morning made it a very pleasant day.

There were many large crows flying around the rock walls and perching on outcroppings. They were noisy. Listen to them here …

Flowers in the Desert

As Dale and I walked the park, I began to notice the wide varieties of flowers that live in this arid environment. There is definitely beauty to be enjoyed.

Cemetery & Old West Town

Adjacent to the park is a lonely old cemetery. Dale and I actually enjoy walking in old cemeteries. For most of my life I have walked in an old cemetery every Fourth of July. Seriously.

Also, just down the street is a an old west town called the Homestead Village. It is a museum that was closed for the holiday, but I got some photos from outside the fence.