Free Downloads Oregon's Dry Side: Exploring East Of The Cascade Crest
Come explore the sights, sounds, scents, and stories of Oregon's dry side, the stunning, vast, arid East, which is the state's true West. Here are the volcanic mountains and mysterious fossils, vanilla-scented ponderosa pines, painted desert colors, wild creatures large and small, rugged wildflowers, remote outposts, and rich history reaching back to prehistoric times. Your expert guide is Alan D. St. John, naturalist, photographer, native Oregonian, and lifetime dry-side explorer who shares it all, including - and this is generous indeed - some of his own little-known favorite places. Also a broad field guide to eastern Oregon, this treasure of a book shows the region's flora and fauna and dramatic geology in gorgeous photographs.
Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: Timber Press, Incorporated (May 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0881928291
ISBN-13: 978-0881928297
Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.8 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #341,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #26 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Gardening & Landscape Design > By Climate > Desert #351 in Books > Travel > Food, Lodging & Transportation > Road Travel #482 in Books > Science & Math > Earth Sciences > Geology
The varied wonderlands of Oregon East of the Cascades are largely unknown, even to many Oregonians, who think of it as "the desert". This book finally offers glimpse after glimpse of the diversity of scenery, ecosystems, and satisfying landscapes that exist here.The photography is absolutely outstanding, and the images are accompanied by accurate captions. The choices of human history photographs and quotes are great. The natural history sections are readable, unlike a field guide, and there is an excellent balance of "charismatic species" coverage. As one of those who prefers places to people, I found the balance between obsession with our own species and appreciation for the others to be perfect.As far as I can tell, it is extraordinarily accurate - and I learned a few things even after Skylar and I have been exploring the subtleties of these places for over 20 years. There are some excellent perspectives; for example, St. John probably wins the prize for the best way to frame the Columbia River dam "controversy" (see page 177). He is unafraid of "deep time" to explain modern ecosystems and weaves the fossil record throughout the text.My only concern is purely selfish = he describes some of our favorite haunts so eloquently, readers are going to flock to them and the desert solitaire he praises will change. Oh, well. Maybe those readers will be moved to protect these special places as a result. I just hope the editors of Outside never get a copy...I plan to buy a few dozen as gifts for friends who wonder "Why are you guys living out there in the frontier instead of in _____ (insert city, bay, whatever)?"This is on the top of my list of "Books that Work".Ted FremdPaleontologistJohn Day Basin
This book provides, in stunning pictures, as well as words, a picture of Oregon that most people don't know exists. It is a travel guide that covers small towns and natural areas in good detail. Most people don't know that these places exist, an a vacation or weekend trip to these areas will get you away from the crowds (unless you choose to attend a local festival, where the crowds are still not exceedingly large).St John gives listings of wildflowers and wildlife you might see along the route or at your destination and when the best chances of sightings occur. These helpful hints prove to be very useful. Being a desert rat, I find it easy to see the beauty in the remote areas St John describes.
The author:a) Really knows his stuffb) Takes good picturesc) Must have been paid by the word. By the time he gets to the point, you're daydreaming about what's for dinner tonight.d) All of the above
I first spotted this book at the Thomas Condon Visitor's Center at the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds just a few miles west of Dayville, Oregon. It is filled with the most gorgeous color photos of both the landscape and the wildlife of central and eastern Oregon. Paging through it, I recognized that I had already visited 60% or 70% of the places featured, with my family over the last thirty years, and it brought back so many good memories. I knew I had to have it, but I also knew I wasn't going to pay $30 for a new one, especially in paperback. to the rescue! I bought three copies, used, and they arrievd in excellent, "like new" condition. I gave them as momentos to my family, inscribed with a dedication recounting the many places described that we had visited together. The author just happens to be an outstanding photographer as well.
I do not understand why this book is out of print. There are beautiful photographs, a well written book. I wasn't expecting the book to be so small, (9 1/4" X 7") but a great size for the shelf. I wasn't happy about the condition it was in. I bought used and it said light wear, ect. Turned out to be very well used (corners bent, creased, dirty pages). I would rate the author and contents of the book itself more than 5 stars, but the seller 3 stars only because I received the book quickly.
I've read portions of this book, purchased it as a gift for a friend who does lots of hiking/exploring in the area. Provided them with many more features of the area to explore.Definitely would recommend for someone wanting a guide for exploring Eastern Oregon. Well laid out into various areas.
Having traveled many of these places, this book makes me want to get out and see more. Good history, good recommendations, great photos!!
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