Mr. Ken Lang and Ms. Laurie Chapman Stand Before the Carolina Popular Trees, Not Giant Cottonwoods As Stated In ZMM.
As the ZMM Traveler arrives in Dayville, the ZMM Book scenes are immediately obvious, for example the Giant Cottonwoods and one of the two gas stations. But the 'Chinaman's Ditch' is no-where to be seen! These two local folk assisted me in my search for the ditch and provided much local history. The ditch, it turns out is on the house-side of the sidewalk just before the base of the Cottonwoods seen in this photo. The town name, “Dayville,” is not to be confused with the town of “John Day”, which was the previous town along the ZMM Route. It seems that everything in this region is named after John Day!! For example: John Day Town, John Day County, John Day River, John Day Park, John Day Fossil Beds, etc, etc, etc, !!! Peculiarly enough no one knows who John Day was, or even if he ever existed!! His name just appeared in a news paper as among early deaths on the Oregon Trail, and said to be due to Indians. More information on the "Chainman's Ditch" are in my "Sights and Scenes" Album for ZMM Book, Part III.
Dayville OR.
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(Photo = 112-1267 ...... WayPt = 338 `|w|'2385ft)

Be Sure To Stop and Go In To Say Hello To the Owners and Discuss the ZMM Book.

Dayville Mercantile, Dayville, OR. (Photo = 112-1273_IMG.JPG)

Interior Dayville Mercantile Is Your Chance To Step Back In Time and Experience "The Real Thing"!
Just as John Sutherland" says of Miles City, MT: This is a great town," John says, "really great. Surprised there were any like this left. I was looking all over this morning. They’ve got stockmen’s bars, high-top boots, silver-dollar belt buckles, Levis, Stetsons, the whole thing . . . and it’s real. It isn’t just Chamber of Commerce stuff . . . ."
, Dayville OR. In other words, this store is the real thing, not the "tourist traps" that you so often encounter! Here is another chance to step back in time. When you do go into stores like this, be sure to take the time to strike up a conversation with the local people. All you have to do is mention something you happen to notice, and a great conversation will follow!! Of course you should mention you are following the ZMM Route. Please share your interest in the ZMM book and stimulate local awareness in things Pirsig. This, if done by all ZMM Travelers, will promote awareness of Pirsig's books and assist in discovery of additional ZMM Historical Landmarks the whole ZMM Route.
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(Photo = 112-1274 ...... ZMM Page = 090...... WayPt = 339 `|w|' ~2380ft)

Be Sure To Stop and Go In To Say Hello To the Owners and Discuss the ZMM Book.

Dayville Mercantile, Dayville, OR. (Photo = 112-1275_IMG.JPG)

View of John Day Fossil Beds from Highway Overlook, 1 Mi North of US 26 on Oregon Route 19, near Dayville OR This (second)overlook gives the ZMM Traveler an a (second)excellent panorama of this tortured dry desolate land. Much of the mountain in this view is volcanic ash. A horizontal dark band seen from this Overlook reveals an ancient volcanic lava flow. (Photo = 112-1292_IMG.JPG)

General View of Visitor Center John Day Fossil Beds National Park OR. On Rt19 3 mi North of Rt26 six mi West of Dayville, OR. Behind this cooling protective wall of trees is a grand old Victorian home located on .... believe-it-or-not .... a genuine Eastern Oregon semi-desert cattle ranch! The ranch homestead buildings are now used as the park visitor’s center. The close packed, well-irrigated trees are there for a purpose! The visitor appreciates this when arriving in a mid-summer mid-afternoon blazingly hot sun! I’m sorry I could not get a better view, but the next two pictures will help you understand what this grand home looks like. (Photo = 112-1296_IMG.JPG)

An Interior View of Visitor Center John Day Fossil Beds National Park OR, shows old photographs of the Pioneers that built this home. Later owners, themselves Quality persons, were interested in the ancient biology these rocks revealed. They donated this house with the surrounding land to the National Parks Service for a museum, and a place where others could share the discoveries here. Don't miss it! Somehow electrical power gets all the way into this desert region, so it is wonderfully cool inside. (Photo = 112-1294_IMG.JPG)

Ancient Volcanic Lava Layers, near John Day Fossil Beds National Park.
After the ZMM Traveler travels on Route US 24 ~20 Miles West of Dayville, he will travel through this gorge. However this photo is about 1.5 Mi further North away from ZMM Route on the way to the John Day Fossil Beds National Park. These volcanic formations are visible on both sides of the highway, Oregon Route 18.
Dayville OR
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(Photo = 112-1290...... ZMM Page = ...... WayPt = 341 `|w|' 2212ft)

Although Wild, I Was Able To get Quite Close To This Doe Hiding In the Shadows.
This calm deer by the road, just out of Mitchell OR, seemed to feel safe when hidden in the shade. I was ignored while I waited for her to move into the sunlight for a better photo. But ultimately she suddenly ducked into the brush before I could get my shot.
Mitchell OR.
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(Photo = 113-1308c ...... ZMM Page = 292 ...... WayPt = 347 `|w|' ft)