Monet Landscape
by Sara Fox
Toledo, OR
Before me lie sprawling sets of multicolor hills. Reds, oranges, yellows, purples, and blues, making up the swirling patterns of color in the rock, my eyes were astonished. Even though the weather around me soared at a blistering 115 degrees, inside I sensed a feeling of cool tranquility as I looked upon this natural wonder. The Painted Hills—one of Oregon’s striking native beauties.
The Painted Hills are one of the three sections of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. This is located in Wheeler County, in central Oregon. My family and I were driving to Iowa that summer, and stopping at all the parks or famous sights along the way. I can remember the Painted Hills vividly, not just because of the heat, but also because of its splendor. Just being there, and looking at them virtually felt like I had walked into a Monet painting.
