Let the PCT challenge begin.

 Navy and Cocoa has told me many stories about Sandy's conqueror challenges and now I'm inspired to join Team Sandy.'

Time to get those boots dirty, there is lots of hiking in this foxes future. 

Finally a hike with the mice

 The mice have started to wonder if all of my hiking posts have been generated by AI.  Nope, today I'm taking Navy and Cocoa off to Forest Park. 

Water, check.

Cheese, check.

10 essentials, check. 
This crew is ready to go. 

Sequoia is patiently waiting for the roommates to get going.  This trail isn't going to hike itself.

This trail looks great.

It had recently rained and the streams were flowing like crazy.

Little Fox needed to get some archeology credits so he wanted to explore this old foundation.  No-one seems to know what was there.  Was  it an old house?  Park Maintenance  building?  Abandoned ice cream shop?

Little Fox wanted to get a closer look at something, maybe an old well?

Onward....more exploring....oh yes this is the stream Cocoa fell into twice.   

As with any hike it's always good to know where you are.  Thankfully the trails are well posted. 

Time to get home for lunch, maybe the humans will cook up some salmon burgers for us hungry hikers.

 

Navy and Cocoa Wine Down

 Hiya Gang,

Little Fox here.  Navy and Beanie wanted to check out one of the local wineries (we should have brought some cheese with us as well)....sigh.  

As you can see these mice know how to party.  To my casual eye it seems that Navy and Cocoa are being held up by the wine glasses.  

Cheers everyone. 

Navy Beanie Ice Storm Explorer

 Hiya Gang,

Navy Beanie here.  Little Fox, Baxter, Cocoa and the rest of the stuffies are hanging out inside.  I said "phooey" to that and went outside to explore.  Even Sequoia is questioning whether or not he wants to explore the ice.

The ice looks so pretty (always easy to say when you have an ice storm, don't have to work, and didn't lose power).

The hummingbirds are a little pissed off at the humans as they haven't kept the feeders free from ice and snow the last few days.  Luckily today, the weather is supposed to warm up fast and all will be back to "normal".

I'm taking bets, do you think  the onions will survive?

Not taking bets on the blueberry as it's  pretty hardy.

Stay warm, Navy Beanie out.

Snow-mageddon

 Hiya blog world, Hope everyone is staying warm.  Reindeer Coyote here, just checking in on the hummingbird feeders.   We are in for a cold snap (high of 18 today, high of 28 tomorrow).  Snow and Ice as well. 

Anyway, I need to make sure the feeders stay liquid so the birds can make it through the weather.  Right now, it looks ok. 

A light dusting of snow to start the morning off.  Navy and Cocoa are seasoned travelers and have lived up north for many years so this is nothing for them. 

A few hours later and we have snow + ice.  Winds are going nuts, almost lost power....whew safe for now.

Our mice are super smart, they are telling me to get them inside stat. 

Once inside it was time for some hot chocolate.  Everyone had a good laugh at the outrageousness of diet hot chocolate.  Little Fox, always the prankster.

Time to open the good stuff up. Artisan hot chocolate with a hint of spice. 

Editors note: Jerry and Ben please keep your blizzardy weather in your home state.
Thank you - LF and Crew

 

An embearassing late mail call...I mean really late

Hiya Gang,
Baxter here. I hate to say this but I haven't opened any mail since August.  I figured if I told you Little Fox while Cocoa and Navy were present you would not be too mad at me.

Umm Baxter, it's okay.  Your cool, let's get this mail processed though.

 

Navy Beanie here.  I'm displaying a cool Halloween card from Jerry and Ben.  Little Fox is already testing recipes for next years contest.  Maybe a pumpkin ice cream?  Thanks J and B for the starbucks card as well.

Some of the Christmas stuffies were very impressed with Jerry and Ben's trip to Portugal. Lisbon looks pretty darn impressive. 

Speaking of international travel Ajdin and crew took a trip to Roma.  I hope they got lots of pizza, pasta and wine.

Ajdin just doesn't stop traveling, he also made it to Hawaii.  Volcanoes National Park is up there on this foxes list. I also need to hire Ajdin's travel agent.

Big Bear, Drunk Fox and Baxter wanted to get in on the action.  Sandy and Crew sent some cards.  A couple of cool cards.  Some written at home, some at a starbucks and some with very clear hints for this fox to take amtrak to Vancouver BC (great idea, too bad the humans aren't good at taking hints).....don't get this fox started....

My buddy Drunk Fox volunteered to hold up Sandy's Halloween card and I took the smaller card from the Canadian Rockies.  As you might recall Sandy took the train to Jasper and brought the mice back home.  They promptly got on Canadian Goose Airways to travel with me back home.

A lot of mail to process for sure, however it's certainly appreciated (THanks blog pals). 

A special meal for the mice

I think we need to make our mice a nice dinner. 
"Cheese sandwich" Little Bear said.

"No, how about cheese sandwich and cheddar broccoli soup?" Baxter mentioned.

"Nope, too cliche, Cocoa and Navy would probably like something non-cheese related.  How about something from the Northwest?"

All three mentioned]SALMON at the same time.

First up, I need to make sure there are no food allergies.  
Navy, Cocoa can you both have stuffed salmon?

Yes, they said as they were drooling....perhaps a cheese course two?

Navy and Cocoa wanted to get in on the action so they could take this recipe back home to Sandy and his crew.  Pro tip, call the gang at Northern Seafood in Tacoma and have them ship it off to you.

The fish is done LIttle Bear says but you all must wait till it cools.

Allright, can we eat now?  

Editors note:  You might have noticed two stuffed salmons and one picture of Navy and Cocoa.  Don't worry readers Navy and Cocoa each got their own plates but the camera could not get both in the same shot. 

 

Let's go

 Hiya Gang,

Little Fox here.  Cocoa and Navy were poking around Sandy's blog and noticed that I helped them put together a puzzle while I was up there.  They said the Oregon Coast looked cool and wanted to go.  We didn't make it to Seaside where the puzzle took place, but made it to it's neighboring town Cannon Beach.  The mice ordered up a great day.

Haystack rock is so pretty today.

A little more adventuring on the beach and we came across the local bakery.  Got some bread and they were giving out free cake.  Can you believe it, free cake?

No trip to the beach is complete without some fresh fish.

Oh, my these mice are tired.  Window shopping, walking on the beach and they mentioned they were also thirsty. I think I can find a place.

I hope the mice enjoy this cider.

Aren't Navy and Cocoa creative in how they accessed the cider?