Cherry blossoms and a parade of animals

 Hiya Gang,

Happy Easter everyone!

I can't believe it, but the cherry blossom trees are blooming.  Most years I make it down to the capital to see the cherry blossoms and most years I'm either too early or too late.  But not this year, I think Navy must be my good luck charm.

The capital park is one of the best parks to see cherry blossoms in the valley.   On top of the capital is the "Oregon Pioneer" aka the "Gold Man". He has been here since 1938 when the new capital was built (the old one burned down). 

The cherry blossoms are my secret hobby and Navy is posing nicely with some cherry blossoms in the background and some cool lanterns they hang all around the park.  Of course, I haven't been here at night to experience it yet (note to roommate put that on my bucket list).

Not only cherry blossom trees but many flowering trees this spring. 

You can kind of  see the state capital in the background.  Such a cool building, but no tours yet since they are still 

More cherry blossoms but it's time to show Navy more of the campus. 

Blog world, meet the capital beaver family.  These cool beavers have been hanging around the campus for many years (since 1985).  

Of course I can't have guests come to the capital grounds and not see the worlds best statue,  A parade of animals (1991). 

This is one of this fox's favorite public art work.

The crocodile are my favorite, as you might see my hiking companion is itching to get hiking.  Let's go, so much more to explore. 

Off to Riverfront Park. 

This bridge was build around 2015 and connects Riverfront park to Minto Island park (with it's own history....for another day) but a cool walk along the banks of the Willamette. 

It's been raining for a while and the river is a tad high.  Minto Island park is super close to the river but no flooding today.

Near the turn around point, it's a good spot for a snack before we head back and have a proper lunch.  Navy gets to choose lunch today and he's hinting for something local (perhaps salmon, or some artisinal cheese, or farm to table chicken dinner).  

Sequoia approves of all of those choices as well. 

A spring hike!

 Hiya Gang.

Cocoa here doing the solo blog (LF and Navy are "resting" after a long night of partying) so it was the roommate, Sequoia and I.  We decided to head out to the gorge and waht a good idea itw as.

A few early wildflowers were out.  Desert parsley.

Just a little balsamroot....more to come for sure.

And this one.  Anyone know what type of flower it is? 

If you guessed grasswidow I think your right.   

The rock formations in this area are pretty cool.

Lot's of Oregon White Oak.  A beary important tree for animals and birds as a.  Interestingly there is a ton of it here (in Washington).   

The Oregon White Oak is super important habitat for the Western Gray Squirrel (endangered in Washington) and sensitive in Oregon.

According to Sequoia, Wild Turkeys used to roam this are (haven't seen any today) but the White Oak is important for the turkeys habitat as well.  Time to head back down the hill (before the rain picks up).

Clouds are coming in, Jerry and Ben do you see the train in the background?

Mail Call

 Hiya Gang,

Kermit and Drunk Fox here filling in for Little Fox, Navy and Cocoa.  Those three are out adventuring again, that's okay since we in charge of the mail.  Don't worry, Drunk Fox is drinking sparkling water.....Kermit is not. 

Bzz, do you see this cool card? It's from Jerry and Ben back in the Midwest.  J&B wanted to know if LF had any hiking adventures planned (you bet), and we learned that Ben wants to make homemade ice cream.  I'm looking forward to that post.

Droopy and crew sent an awesome birthday card for LF.  Of course, it's not even close to his birthday (it's in Jan).  Clearly the roommates are severely behind on the mail.   Droopy wins the award for the most crafty human, thanks for the homemade card.

Finally, a few cards from Sandy.  One is an Oregon Birthday Card (ok, a Valentines day card but V-day and Oregon's birthday do share the same day). Sandy wanted to say hi to his friends visiting LF (Navy and Cocoa).

The other card from Sandy is a birthday card.  Sandy hoped that I got lots of treats....err the humans dropped the ball big time this year and there were NO special treats or adventures or nothing.

The roommates promise to do better wit the mail - we'll see how the year progresses.

Drunk Fox and Kermit out. 

Exploring the City of Roses

 Good Morning Blog World.  Little Fox here and today I'm taking Navy and Cocoa around town.  First stop is to visit historic Union Station (built in 1890).  Union Stations are scattered around the US and the idea behind it is that more than one train company shared the station vs. a specific station for a a specific RR company.  Anyway, the "Go by train" sign is a local landmark. 

Just got to cross this fence. 

A few more blocks. We made it, time to go inside. 

Cocoa and I went to explore while Navy wanted to just take in the grandeur of the station.

There is a cool walking bridge over the tracks.  You can see some of the bridges our town is famous for. 

Another bridge (actually, we are waiting for a freight train to pass so we can continue our walk).  My goal is to take the guests to the waterfront to see the cherry trees in bloom. 

Before we get to the trees Navy wanted a picture or two by the river.  The convention center is in the background (the two green towers)

We made it!  The cherry trees are in bloom. 

These trees were a gift from Japan to Portland and planted in 1990. 

The country of Japan donated these trees to Portland for the dedication of the Japanese American Historical Plaza. 

There are about 13 engraved stones that tell the story of many of Oregon's Japanese. 

The stones talk about the internment camps the Japanese were sent to during WWII and honor the Japanese American soldiers who fought in that same war. 

Onward, this gang is hungry. 

On the way to lunch we found a nice little park. 

The gang is always up for posing with outdoor art. 

Cocoa gets to choose the dining option today.  Who can go wrong with ice cream and coffee. 

We ended up at Cosmic Bliss an ice cream company that started in Eugene and makes dairy free and dairy ice cream.  Navy is waiting to enjoy his two scoops (one dairy based chocolates peanut butter and one scoop of dairy free cherry amaretto). The patience Navy has is amazing being that I and Cocoa already ate our ice cream before any pictures could be taken. 

Where are we off to next??

Exploring the wildflowers

Hiya Gang,

Little Fox, Navy and Cocoa here getting ready for a nice Spring hike.  We are in the gorge and hoping to find some wildflowers.  Let's go!!

 

Our location is an old ranch.  Back in the day this was a cattle operation and this corral is one of the last remaining structures. 

A seasonal creek runs through this ranch.  

 
Lot's of old oak trees here.

Sequoia and Cocoa have become good friends.

The mountain (Mt. Hood) is out today. Cocoa is definitely curious about exploring the mountain soon.  

Navy found a few wildflowers.  Yeah Navy!

My guests definity need sustenance.  What do you feed mice?  Easy, cheese.  One cheese stick for each. 

Time to get one more picture in before we head back down.  Where are we off to next?