With night time temperatures predicted to drop into the twenties at Page Springs campground last Sunday night, we made an executive decision to travel west toward the coast Sunday, through the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge.
The above photos taken as we drove west across the grasslands, into the refuge
The refuge area is made of fault-block mountains, created by the upward movement of the earth's plates as they ground together many years ago.
Fault Block Mountains pushed up by tectonic pressure created by movement of the Earth's plates.
This is wild country! Such country has invited some wild folks who let loose with some wild behavior from time to time. One such group - "The Order of the Antelope", gathers within the refuge annually to celebrate enthusiastically, the continued presence of the prong horned antelope and the "brotherhood's" accomplishments over the years to protect the antelope and preserve their presence.
We understand that such celebration is rich with ritual and ceremonial antics, which has resulted in this band's enforced confinement to just a small area of the refuge. It seems that they were having a little TOO much fun!
We stopped in to take a peek at a primitive campground complete with a hot springs pool.
Sadly, we forgot our bathing suits! :-( :-( NEXT visit, we'll come prepared!
Possibly a cinder cone from past volcanic activity....
Mesas show further evidence of geologic activity and erosion (note the slopes of the mesa).
Our travels ended for the day in a full service camp ground near La Pine, just south of Bend.
We opted for the comforts of a little heat, electricity and WiFi!
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