Downtown Baker City has a huge and diverse collection of bronze animal sculptures. I suppose that most of the sculptures are made at bronze foundries in Joseph, Oregon on the opposite side of the Wallowa mountains.

I think that's the first wall climbing gator I have ever seen!

Fantastic.

Phlox. Maybe longleaf Phlox?

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/166706/browse_photos?place_id=69099

Looks like arrowleaf balsamroot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsamorhiza_sagittata

Wow!

The pass isn't accepted at state parks, but I suppose most state parks have a discounted "senior" entry fee. Sometimes it pays to be old!

You wrote; "I paid $80 for a lifetime "America the Beautiful" senior pass." I bought my pass at the entrance to Yellowstone in 2015 while riding the Transam route - it was only $10 at that time and I think it paid for itself just with that day admission into Yellowstone! It has certainly paid for itself many times over since then. Even though you paid more for yours, you will recover that cost quickly with the discounted admission price you get at federal and most state parks. Getting older has a few perks.

If you are happy, the price is worth it!

Great photos!

Nice photo!

The orange flags are heavily used by tourist in Sisters, Oregon which has US 20 going through the middle of the downtown tourist strip.

How strange. We were just in McCall, Idaho and saw those same flags! We had never seen them before.

What a beautiful area!

I also enjoy your discussion on the LDS church. I know a bit about the religion but am learning from you. My next tour will (hopefully, assuming it happens) traverse mostly through Mormon-dominated regions, so I appreciate the tidbits of knowledge you include in the journal.

Interesting facts about the LDS church.