happytrailstoyou

Is this a scenic drive, or are there a more interesting route between John Day and the Columbia River? (We will be on our way to Hood River, but we are not in a rush.)

HTtY

tomfuller

Where are you coming from to get to John Day?
The attraction to see in John Day is Kam Wah Chung http://www.oregonstateparks.org/inde...kPage&parkId=5
It is on a back street and a bit hard to find.
I spent a night in John Day once waiting for a gas station to open in the morning. It's a long ways to the next gas station in any direction. There were 3 cars parked in the hospital parking lot that night.
If you have an interest in such things try to see at least one of the John Day Fossil Beds.

happytrailstoyou

We will arrive from McCall, Idaho, via Oxbow and Baker City.

We were in John Day a year or so ago and went to the building you mention (a fascinating experiece), and we are attracted to the stark scenery of Central Oregon.

HTtY

tomfuller

Unless there is something you really want to see in Pendleton, try US 26 west and visit the JD Fossil Beds Painted Hill Unit just west of Mitchell. Continue west on 26 through Prineville to Madras. Get gas in Madras (Safeway) and take US 97 north through Shaniko. Shaniko is not quite a ghost town. It has the oldest active fire hydrant in the state (in service since 1899).
Take a picture of their fire truck and the metal roof that identifies the town. Get on I-84 in Biggs to get to Hood River.
Arrive in John Day with more than half a tank of gas or before 4 PM if you need to buy gas.