Journey
Blue Mountain Eagle
9
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
RITTER
Continued from Page 8
Ritter was later renamed
for the popular John Day
Valley pioneer minister
Rev. Joseph Ritter, who had
bought the ranch where the
springs are located.
The resort is 10 miles
west of Highway 395 on
Ritter Road, along a mean-
der of the Middle Fork John
Day River in Grant County
roughly 20 miles north of
Long Creek.
The sleepy little alcove
was once, and still is, a des-
tination for people looking
to reap the health benefits
of the mineral waters found
at the hot springs, according
to Tillay. He said the water
feels smooth because of its
high alkalinity, close to a
nine on the pH scale, which
can be good for your skin.
“I have a lady staying
here right now that takes
a five-gallon bucket of it
home and sprays it on her
after a shower because
it makes her skin feel
smooth,” Tillay said.
A century old hot springs
comes with a lot of upkeep
and renovations seem to be
constantly underway. Til-
lay, who is also president
and CEO of Grab on Grips,
a company that makes bicy-
cle handlebar wraps, can be
found working on improve-
ments to the property most
days of the week, although
he has no plans to expand
current operations.
While retelling an ac-
count for a guest, Tillay
touched one of Ritter’s big-
gest charms — its remote-
ness.
“The absolute best thing
about Ritter is that there is
nothing to do,” Tillay said.
“You can just put your mind
in neutral. You can just
chill.”
EO Media Group photos/E.J. Harris
Ritter Hot Springs’ main attraction is its spring-fed swimming pool where guests can soak in the 80 plus degree
waters piped in from the hot springs.
An old cash register sits on a table in the dance hall of
the hotel at Ritter Hot Springs.
Spring fed showers overlooking the Middle Fork John
Day River offer a relaxing hot shower to guests before
taking in one of the soaking pools.
• Veteran Owned
• Competitive Pricing
• Serving Central & Eastern Oregon
An old fuel pump and car frame sit in a field above the
hotel at Ritter Hot Springs.
541-620-1405 Burklevi@yahoo.com
05879
Come see what the Squeeze In has to offer.
Squeeze In Restaurant
Mon-Sat 6am-8pm • Sun 6am-7pm
423 Main St., John Day • 541-575-1045
Grubsteak Mining Co.
Depot RV Park
Restaurant & Lounge
Open 7 days
a week
11 am - 9 pm
Lounge & Lottery
Great Burgers & Steaks!
Take-out • Lunch • Dinner
20 Full RV Hookups - 30 amp
20 Covered
Full RV Hookups
- 30 amp • Covered Picnic Area
Picnic Area & Playground
Playground
Sites & Shower
Facility
Tent
Sites • & Tent
Showering
Facility
Quiet Setting
Quiet Setting
• Wi-Fi
149 E Main St., John Day
541-575-1970
4 blocks south of Hwy 26 on Main Street
Prairie City • 541-820-3605
www.cityofprairiecity.com
www.prairiecityoregon.com