Skip to main content Skip to navigation
Connecting curious minds with uncommon, undeniably Northwest reads

Remote Wonders

An Explorer’s Guide to Southeast Oregon

Melvin R. Adams

$19.95

Oregon’s wild steppe—basalt rims, high cold deserts, dry lakes, and vast expanses of grass and sage—is a magnificent wonderland well worth exploring. In this delightful road tour guide, essays, photos, and a pull-out map keyed to selected sites highlight notable natural and historical features.

“This is a fresh and interesting introduction to the accessible part of southeastern Oregon’s semiarid country…As a 23-year veteran of the region, I found much in the book that is new to me.”—Dr. William H. Lyons, archaeologist

“Compelling and accurate…the traveler-friendly structure and heartfelt composition make [Remote Wonders] a functional yet intimate travel resource.”—Columbia

Clear

Description

At first glance the landscape looks desolate—a barren realm of basalt rims, high cold deserts, dry lakes, and vast expanses of grass and sage. In fact, it is a place where petite flowers bloom on rock shelves. Tiny organisms thrive in hot springs and water saltier than any ocean. Even some of the soil is unique—a special combination that collects and retains water and allows ancient pine stands to survive. The diminutive pika harvests meadow grass, building miniature haystacks to store food for the winter. When the time is right, thousands of tiny green and black frogs emerge from mud cracks along a lake perimeter. There is also human history, evidenced by petroglyphs and remnants of ranches, mills, and mines. Indeed, remote southeast Oregon is a rich wonderland of mountains, forests, creatures, and more—one well worth exploring
Designed as a road tour guide, Remote Wonders is an ideal introduction to Oregon’s magnificent corner. Individual chapters highlight notable natural and historical features. The book includes essays, numerous photos, and a pull-out map keyed to selected sites. Supplemental information includes side trip recommendations, potential hazards, when to travel, and what to bring.

Born and raised in Oregon’s Outback, the author’s affection for the region shines through. Ultimately, Melvin Adams hopes his book will entice readers to visit and delight in this wild steppe country.

Illustrations / maps / bibliography / index / 200 pages (2015)

Recognition

“This is a fresh and interesting introduction to the accessible part of southeastern Oregon’s semiarid country…As a 23-year veteran of the region, I found much in the book that is new to me.”—Dr. William H. Lyons, archaeologist

The sections on early ranching and Native American history are compelling and accurate…the author achieved the challenging goal of a concise and accessible guide. The traveler-friendly structure and heartfelt composition make it a functional yet intimate travel resource.—Columbia

Additional information

Dimensions 9 x 6 in
Format

Paperback