Tire Mountain hiking adventure.

Little Fox here.  Just enjoying some time on the beach.  Interesting....a starfish.....I thought they only lived near tidepools. I wonder what's up with this one?

As you can probably tell Sequoia is indifferent to the starfish and is ready to go hiking. 

Who can blame him?  Of course we have to leave the beach to go hiking.  That's okay.

This is the beginning of Tire Mountain.  During pioneer times a wagons tire fell off near here and someone named it Tire Mountain.  Go figure. 

Wildflowers are in season (forgot the name of the purple one...ohwell)

Indian paintbrush. 

This is balsam root. 

This is the last of the little yellow ones that come out in the early spring.  

Mountain bikers use this trail and the trail maintenance crew has done a good job of clearing trees and keeping the trail open for hikers, bikers, horses, foxes and dogs. 

This tree is old.  No time to count these rings. 

Some of the views along the way. 

Ironically, Tire Mountain no longer has views as the trees have grown and blocked the open views of the mountains.   Speaking of Tire Mountain, I didn't actually make it to the top as the trail was in really bad shape for the last 1/2 miles.  Many a downed trees but some amazing flowers and views along the way. 

Where is the fox off to next?

 

An afternoon with Baxter

 Hello Blog World,
Baxter here.  Today I am at the Natural History Museum near the University.  They have a nice outdoor plant and sculpture garden for me to explore.  First up, I am going to see if I can find the salmon who is persistent, the bear who is strong (like me) and the wolf who is the protector. 

Sure looks like a salmon to me. 

Is that you wolf? 

Sure looks like a bear from down here. 

Here is a sign you don't see too often.

Does that rule count for stuffies? I don't think so. 

They also have some native plants in the garden.  

Interesting info on this card.  The plant above me is the Nootka Rose native on Vancouver Island. 

As you might recall I am quite the ice cream aficionado.  This is a double scoop of raspberry swirl and chocolate caramel fudge.

What, I have to share? Really? 

Spring Wildflowers

Hello Blog World.  Little Fox here with a wrap up of my Spring wildflowers.  Spring started early this year, right around the end of February.

Yep, you are not mistaken.  These  little flowers are about as tall as me.  These are some of our earliest flowers. Always a good sign that spring is coming.

Fast forward a month.  Now it's early April and I am at an old ranch that is now a state park.  The ranch is an old homestead and they planted a few trees along the creek.  Some of the oaks are still around.

I call this place Little Fox's grotto. It's very peaceful here. 

A nice collection of Lupine and Balsam Root. 

Back at the ranch, a few weeks later.  California Poppy have invaded.  They spread pretty fast when they get started....invasive for us but the State flower of California (and illegal to pick in that state).  A certain dog is attempting to photo bomb.

Away from the ranch but still in the same area.  Flowers are slowly dying off...spring is almost over (this Picture from 5/19/21).

Lupine, an oak tree and...what another photobomb by Sequoia.  This is MY blog....not his.

Sequoia is a little confused why someone would not want him in their blog.  I guess I can't blame him for wanting to share the spotlight with me.

Perhaps we can hit DQ for a PupCup (a vanilla sundae, peanut butter, and two milkbones) or Starbucks for a Pupacino (whipped cream in a small cup...and one of the most popular items on the Starbucks secret menu) for Sequoia?  

Spring is nearing an end.....bring on Summer!

Off to the Jetty.

 Hello Blog World. Little Fox here hanging out at the beach.

It's a nice 80 degrees back home so it should be a nice 65 degrees at the beach.  Note...it's not, it's cold and windy at the beach but the cold and wind doesn't stop this adventurer. 

Off in the distnace is Twin Rocks. I wonder why they are called Twin Rocks?

What's this building in the distance?  It looks like a lifeguard tower but this is the Northern Pacific and it's not really a swimming type of ocean up here.  Way too cold.

Perhaps if I can get a little closer to see what this tower is for.....well I never found out.  Sigh.

I did see this sign. Did you know that the word Tillamook (they have a cheese factory there and free samples....beanie, cocoa?????)

Anyway, Tillamook is a term in the Native American Coast Salish Tribes language meaning lands of many waters.

 Sure, the Pacific is here, the Kilchis River, and the Trask River is nearby but it rains ALOT here as well. I wonder if the Coast Salish were referring to the rivers, oceans or the rain?????

Okay, I have made it to the end.  Hanging out at the jetty. The Jetty is comprised of 37,000 tons of stone to resist the fierce force of ocean waves and extends about 5000 feet into the ocean.  Apparently explorer Robert Gray landed in Tillamook bay area (which includes 5 bays in the area). This Jetty provides access to one that is used by the fishing industry in the area (salmon, oysters, and crabs).  

Enough chit chat....time to head back for a windy lunch. 

  (Editors Note: The Coast Salish lived up North in Washington, and BC but there was a small tribe living in Tillamook as well).  Who knew? (Besides the Coast Salish people).