Little Fox, explorer.

Hello Blog Pals,

No, don't worry I am still studying to be an archeologist but today I am taking a break to explore an old Catholic School turned hotel.

My roommates are trying to boost their annual evaluations and took me on a little vacation to Bend, Oregon.  The cool thing about this hotel company is they have scavenger hunts at their properties to help you explore.  

While my roommates were talking to the hotel clerk to learn about the scavenger hunt clue I decided to head outside and put an order in for a beer.  This 33rd State IPA looks good. 

Sigh.  No beer right now, but hopefully sooner than later.  Let's start at this bar called O'Kanes.  O'Kanes is in the old garage on the property.  The hotel is in an old Catholic School and they have all of these old buildings around the property. 

O'Kanes on the inside is beary dark, it's a cigar bar so it's a tad smoky but very dark and cool. 

Time for a beer. The glass is a little big for me but I will conquer this beer!

Out of the bar and into the hotels.  So I need to find the clue and they have a ton of artwork inside.  I bet Beanie would love all of the art. 

Speaking of Beanie, I wonder if he knows these guys? 

They have an open air soaking pool.  But I haven't found the clue yet.  Hmm. 

Perhaps this Fireplace room has the clue? 

Nope.  However, I did read that if you followed the blue lights there would be secret rooms.  This light looks blue to me.

Cool!  A secret room with chalk and chalkboards. 

I have good handwriting, eh?

Sigh, I still haven't found the clue.  This is getting beary hard. Then some sort of devine urge came to  walk outside (I am at a former Catholic school, perhaps it was a spiritual sign) and believe it or not I found the clue.  

Looks like St. Francis with a dog if you look hard.

Yes, now I have to check in with the clerk for my prize.

Out and about with Little Fox

Hello Blog Friends.
It is I, Little Fox here today excited to share with you a recent adventure.

This is going to blow some of your minds but I am in the woods getting ready for a hike.  Today, I am in the Applegate Valley (this is Applegate Lake in the background) waiting for my roommates to lace up their boots for a hike.

It's Spring and the lake is a little dry.  There was some snow recently but nothing major.  I hope the valley that relies on this lake has enough water.  This is forest fire country down here so this lake is a pretty important water source.

The woods are beary nice right now.  The trail is dry, the trees are in good shape and there is a ton of There are a lot of Manzanita trees  in this part of the state.  They are a red bark tree that almost seems as if it sheds it bark.

After sufficient rest and relaxation I was off on another hike. This one was on an old Bureau of Land Management (BLM) road.  This trail was called Enchanted Forest - sounds perfect for me. 

Some sort of flowering bush (I am no botanist, I'm an archeologist). 

An amazing meadow.  It was only a mile or so into the hike, too bad it would be perfect for lunch. 

A side hike in the enchanted forest was to a memorial.  The memorial is for a helicopter crew who crashed near here in the 90s.  I could not find any info about the pilots.  Were they loggers scouting land? Firefighters? Tourists?  The mystery remains. 

Along the way I came across an old truck.  This is farm and ranch country so there were lots of old machinery in the area. 

Sequoia says "hi"

Whew, made it to the viewpoint on the Enchanted Forest Trail.  Any further on the trail is private property so I am going to enjoy my PB&J sandwich at this viewpoint. 

Now, my roommates hinted that we are also in wine country. Maybe I can convince them to take me to a vineyard??????

Recipe Contest in progress.....still accepting recipe submissions!!!!!!

Hi Blog Pals,
Thank you for the recipe submissions for my recipe contest.  I have enjoyed all the meals I have made. 

If there are still stuffies out there who want to submit a recipe you still have time.  The contest is over April 25th.

 Feel free to post your recipes in the comments or send them via email at lfox97123@gmail.com

Thanks for reading.
LF

McMenamins Tacoma Elk's Club Tripster Party 2018

This line is long....I wonder what they (my roommates) are thinking.  They have wrist bands (I don't) and everyone in line is gitty with excitement.  All I can see if this vacant lot and wonder what is going on.

*Cue dramatic music, the line is moving* Hmm, this is going to be interesting. My roommates showed their wristbands to the doorman and he let us into a construction zone.  Huh.

My roommates informed me it was the Tacoma Elks lodge.  Built between 1915 and 1916 it is a beaux arts style building that the city of Tacoma had to sue the Elks to sell to them because it was in disrepair.  The city won the lawsuit, bought the building from the Elks,  then sold the building to a developer in Portland.  This building was built into the hillside and offers some amazing views of the waterways and Mt. Rainier. 

Right now I am at the top of the building, the 6th floor balcony looking down at the 6th floor. Man, I wish I had a hardhat. 

6th floor proper:  I was never one to follow rules. 

Looking up, the millwork and molding is in pretty good shape.  

Lots of areas with these makeshift fences.  Apparently, while the building was vacant and falling apart local graffiti artists went inside to practice their craft. 

More graffiti.  There is supposed to be a band playing on this stage soon. 

Quite a turnout.

So, the party I attended was called the Cosmic Tripster party. As a reward for visiting all of these Mcmenmains restaurants in the Northwest you got to go to the tripster party.  It was quite a party as you can see. 

 They had free wine, beer, mixed drinks, games, music, and lunch.  Being that this building wasn't quite ready for full food service they brought in food carts.  I decided to get the burger but they had a couple different choices. 

 Lots of places to play hide and seek. 

 All the construction equipment was roped off and most of the windows were boarded up.  I wonder if they need a stuffie supervisor up here? 

It was an exciting day - the weather was great, a behind the scenes party and lots of good food and drink.  When is the next party? 

A spring day with a twist. Part 1.

What a beautiful day.   No, I am not in Sienna Italy (although that would be cool) but I am in an equally cool place, Tacoma, Washington!

This is the old city hall bell tower.  If you look hard you can see a bald eagle hanging out on top.  Back in the day this was hub of activity in Tacoma.  Now, there are lots of cool bars, restaurants, and shops in the area. 

A nice springtime tree. Is this a cherry tree? 

 A nice park along the waterway. 

Mt. Rainier in the background. 

Well, that was a nice trip to Tacoma.  A little odd for my roommates to take me up here for a quick visit. My roommates wanted to take me one more place.  There was a big line of people already in line and I have to admit the view reminds me of one of Sandy's back alley deals. 

What have they gotten me into?????