Painted Hills
Since we moved here, we have driven, flown, rode bikes, hiked, swam, walked around Oregon and seen some unbelievable sights. The drive out to the Painted Hills, is a beautiful one, as you go over Hood, out to Madras and then off to Mitchell as you head to the John Day Fossil area, in which the Painted Hills are located.
Driving around the state is such a nice way to spend the weekend. Its like Rome is for ancient buildings. Every corner there is seemingly a mountain, lake, trail, camp spot or somewhere else to lose yourself for the weekend.
The good old Land Rover. Its been on the beaches, in the snow, and all the way down to California, its a perfect car for road trips. Just need to keep it a bit cleaner!
The Painted Hills in all its glory. One of the seven wonders of Oregon.
Created by thousands of years of fossils. The black is the lignite that was from vegetable matter which grew in the floodplain, the grey is mudstone and shale, the red is laterite that was formed during warm and humid times.
A lot of the fossils which are there are fro horses, camels, rhinoceroses 
It is amazing to see something as beautiful as this first hand, and honestly we feel blessed being able to live in a place where a zone like this is within a drive.
This is my hiking style. Baby on the back and just walk.
Round the corner is the Painter Cove, which is a very very dry rhyolite flow which means that nothing can grow there and its basically just sucks in all the moisture but doesn't allow any growth.
The overlook with the lake in the background.
Its striking to see the contrast in places like this.
It was a long day of driving for Lenny but he handled it like a champ.
Nothing better than a post hike picnic.
Cup of tea anyone?
Another amazing trip... Oregon, every time you amaze me.