The workamping assignment I did during the month of August 2021, Kam Wah Chung, was in the town of John Day, Oregon. I thought it would be fun to share a little bit about the community and the area before I give you the “tour” of the building. Additionally, I want to share general information about the workamping assignment.

While my job title at Kam Wah Chung was “interpreter,” same as it was at my first workamping experience at Heceta Head Lighthouse, the experiences were very different. Not so much the part where I told the story of both places but, more so, the general workamping experience.

John Day, Oregon, in Grant County

The entire area is quite beautiful. I met lots of people who came to this area simply to take a drive through eastern Oregon. There are a lot of small communities and several ghost towns though John Day with its 1,700 residents is the largest in the county. Residents are proud to tell you–and everyone of them will–that John Day boasts the only stop light in the entire county, a county that spans 4,500 square miles. The county is in the northeastern quadrant of the state.

Eastern Oregon, in general, can be pretty hot during the summer months. But this year, like with most of the west, Mother Nature took this to a whole new level. In July, for example, they had 16 days with temperatures over 100. And considering tour guides walked each tour group the two blocks between the Interpretive Center and the building, it could make for some sweaty days. During August we had probably seven and it felt like I worked most of those. But on the days when temperatures were more reasonable (low 80s), it was gorgeous.

John Day, Oregon and How It Got Its Name

The funny thing about John Day, Oregon, is that the man, John Day, never actually set foot in John Day, Oregon. In fact, in addition to the town, a river, a stream, a mountain valley and several geological features also bear his name.

The man was a pioneer, a miner, a hunter, a trapper, a soldier, a fur trader and an excellent shot with a rifle. A jack of all trades in the wild western frontier. It’s said that he is the only Revolutionary War soldier buried in the Pacific Northwest.

There’s a lot of fiction around the man since verifiable stories are few and far between. While in John Day, the story I heard most (and it appears to be a true one) was one of a naked John Day.

In the fall of 1811 an expedition in search of wealth for John Jacob Astor hired John Day. His job was to hunt, providing food for the explorers. When the party reached the Snake River, Day became ill and had to stay behind in an Indian Camp with a man named Crooks. Day became well enough to travel in the spring of 1812.

As they left the area, Day and Crooks were waylaid by hostile Indians. The Indians robbed them of their guns, and clothes, leaving them stark naked. They were left near a stream that was later named the John Day.

Day and Crooks were eventually found by other fur traders who took them to Fort Astor (modern day Astoria) at the mouth of the Columbia River. (As a side note, you might remember my visit to the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria.)

In February 1820, at the age of 79, Day became suddenly ill while on a buffalo hunt. His friends made him comfortable and he soon died.

Seventh Street Complex

One of the most impressive things about John Day (aside from Kam Wah Chung, obviously) is the Seventh Street Complex. It’s a huge playground, basically. A one-mile track surrounds the fields and play area. I walked to and around the track most days. Inside the track you’ll find baseball fields, disc golf, tennis courts, a basketball court, skate park, playground equipment for younger and older kids, splash pad, fishing pond, picnic area and along the one-mile track are those fitness stations I’m sure you are familiar with.

Green grass with trees, hills and mountains in the background.
Morning view along the one-mile fitness trail. There were some nearby fires which is why the photo is a bit hazy.
Close up of blackberries on a blackberry bush.
Blackberries grew along the fitness trail which made for a nice little morning snack.

The Workamping Experience in John Day, Oregon

Let me start by saying I loved the experience of giving tours, which to me is simply a way to paint a picture of people, places and a time through story. If you’ve been a reader for a while, you’ll remember how much I loved doing just that during my workamping at Heceta Head Lighthouse a couple years ago.

One of the questions others asked was whether or not I’d return as a camp host at Kam Wah Chung. The answer, truthfully, is probably not. There was nothing about the experience that should discourage you from giving the place a try if you are interested. For me, it was more about everything else with regard to the assignment rather than the work itself.

The workcampers parked next to the shop which was in between the Interpretive Center and Kam Wah Chung. The spaces were fine but certainly lacked the beauty of parking in a state park like when I workamped at the lighthouse.

White van and trailer backed into an RV spot next to a white building.
The Violet Quill in between the shop and the other workampers.

But a bigger factor for me was that they didn’t have a place to shower. As you know, with my small rig, I much prefer to shower in a bathhouse. Additionally, while they offered laundry, we had to drive 10 minutes away to a nearby state park called Clyde Holliday. And because the washer and dryer were in the building with the offices, we were only allowed to use them after 3:30 p.m. If you had a couple loads to do, you were there for a while.

Finally, when I interviewed for the position, the ranger said my hours would be kept to 20 per week. That’s my sweet spot because it allows me time for my other work and writing activities. During August (and remember, I arrived on the 4th of August rather than the 1st due to my harrowing worst week ever in RV life) I worked 126 hours, making my average about 32 hours per week. And that didn’t include the extra half hour each day to open and close. In case you are wondering, in that time, I gave 40 tours.

I will, however, put a plug in here for Clyde Holliday. If you are in northeastern Oregon looking for a campground, it is pretty great. It’s beautiful, has a lovely nature trail that follows a river as well as a bathhouse. Many people who visited Kam Wah Chung stayed there and loved it.

Nature walk along a river.
This is the nature walk through Clyde Holliday State Park. It was a nice thing to do while I waited for a load of wash to finish.

Final Notes

If you drive an electric car, there is a charging station in John Day. One of the visitors I talked to told me they were using it during their visit to Kam Wah Chung.

Second, in the Interpretive Center’s parking lot, spaces are carved out specifically for RVs making visiting super easy for RV travelers.

Finally, just because I probably wouldn’t choose to return as a workamper, don’t take that to mean the place isn’t worth your time to stop and visit. It’s an amazing facility with a wonderful and rich history. And, of course, if you visit, be sure to tell them Debbie sent you.

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