More Miami

 Hiya Gang,
Little Fox here.  I was exploring some of the cool street art in Miami.  This one really calls to me.  However there was a lot of cool street art in Wynwood neighborhood. 

Beanie Mouse would love this street art.

Besides the cool street art, Calle Ocho in Little Havana was pretty neat.  The Cuban coffee was delicious.

Little Havana was a pretty fun area.  Lots of restaurants from all over Latin America.  Plus they have a ton of fiberglass roosters around to celebrate the areas culture.  This rooster is in front of a Starbucks.

After Little Havana it was time to explore the good life at Vizcaya Museum, the former winter home of American Industrialist James Deering of International Harvester fame.  This home is more of a villa, so many rooms, formal gardens and right on Biscayne Bay in Miami.  The heirs to the estate were kind enough to give the estate to the City of Miami so the could operate it as a museum.

This garden is so amazing - it's what I imagine Jerry's garden looks like.

After exploring Vizcaya it's time to explore more of South Beach.  Espanola way is a quiet little street with outdoor restaurants similar to Italy and Spain.

One more stop at the beach. 

Even the lifeguard stands are done in Art Deco style.

Miami is a cool town, but this fox is more of a smaller town fox.  Off to the Florida Keys.

Art Deco Miami Style

Hiya Gang,

Little Fox here, trotting along Ocean Drive in Miami's South Beach.   I'm hoping that my pal Sandy hosts another Art Deco contest as there is a ton of Art Deco in Miami and maybe, just maybe I can win an honorable mention in his contest.

Ocean Drive is the main strip where Art Deco lives.  First up is the Majestic Hotel. Notice the bold lines,.  No ornemntation htat is often associated with Art Deco but there is so much to explore.

Up next is the 1938 Essex Hotel.  The picture the roommates took sucks but it has port holes on the upper floors.  

More bold lines and geometric shapes,

 

These two were the roommates favorites

The roommate likes yellow and pastel colors and was thrilled to see the cool colors. The rounded corners are a neat touch - more portholes in the windows.

Next up is the former building for Jerry's deli (any relation to Jerry and Ben in Mn?).  Now it's a clothing store (Senior Frogs) not to be confused with the bar and restaurant chain popular in Mexico.

So much more Art Deco to share - but I'm saving them for the next contest - hint hint....

Baxters back!

 Hiya Blog World,

Baxter decided it was time to post again.  It's been a while.

Little Fox likes hiking, Sequoia likes hiking, the roommates like hiking, well I Baxter am "blah" on hiking (I'm that way after I fell out of the backpack hiking and it was a 1/4 mile before the roommates noticed).  

I Baxter like Ice Cream.  Checking out the selection at a little cafe, but nothing that excites me.  

The roommates wanted to check out the Thai Fest this weekend.  It was packed but everyone was super cool and friendly!  They didn't get ice cream but some mango sticky rice, a delicious dessert.

Crossing over the iconic Burnside Bridge and needed to get my picture in front of the Portland sign.  It didn't always say this (but it looked the same).  It startedas White Satin Sugar, then it changed to White Stag Sportswear, then Made in Oregon and finally Portland Oregon.   

Black Cat Custard in Old Town was the destination.  It was very good (but freaking spendy).  Pistachio sundae with chocolate custard.  So yummy. 

Bye bye Navy and Cocoa (for real)...it has been super fun.

 Hiya Folks. 
Well it's time for my good friends Navy and Cocoa Beanie to start the journey back north.

Step 1: Say goodbye to all of the gang.  Thanks for hosting us, we had a blast.  So many cool trips, hikes and adventures - LF says we are welcome to come back anytime.

Step 2: Snacks.  Time to put some snacks in the box.  Pirates Booty is always a fan favorite.  Additionally, some local chocolate for Sandy and his crew.  Sadly, no cheese.  There are a few other surprises in the box for Sandy and Crew (but don't want to spoil the surprise. 

Step 3: Put in some random things to do while traveling (a mini puzzle and trivia cards and a few souvenirs from our trip.  We had a blast at Tillamook Cheese Factory and sticker from Everybody's Brewing and Cosmic Bliss (plant based ice cream...yum).

Step 4: Get comfy.  We are traveling Canada Goose Airlines so it will most likely  take awhile.

As any stuffy knows there service is moderately questionable but they always get us stuffies there.....eventually.

Alrighty gang - have a safe trip be sure to text us when you arrive.

 I'll take care of all of the paperwork - your pal LF.

 

Tine to say goodbye to Navy and Beanie but not before one last adventure. . It's been a great year.

I've had a great year with Cocoa and Navy Beanie.

 We've done a lot of stuff together, like hiking, eating ice cream, bartending class, and checking out cheese factories.

Cocoa really enjoyed our hikes on Mount Hood this Summer and Fall.  Fun to hike on the real PCT while working on the virtual PCT with Sandy. 

Navy fell in love with the Columbia River Gorge.  The open spaces really called out to him. 

Navy also enjoyed doing some hiking on the PCT in Southern Oregon.  Looks like he found some snacks (aka trail magic)  for through hikers. 

One cannot exist on hiking alone, Navy took up bartending this summer. 

He seems to have a pretty good knack for it, but you might notice the tip jar is empty.  Little Fox and Cocoa mysteriously forgot some dollar bills for tips. 

When the mice visit a trip to Tillamook Creamery is a must. 

Free cheese tasting?  Yep, all three of us were in on that.

Navy and Cocoa wanted to take observe the factory making cheese.  Looks like they are working on their Cheddar blocks today. 

Good lord, this place is popular. That is the line for the ice cream.  Luckily LF knows of a better, cheaper place for ice cream. 

Navy needed to visit Astoria Oregon, the oldest  permanent settlement  west of the Rockies. Navy was indifferent to the history but enjoyed watching the boats enter the Columbia River on the Graveyard of the Pacific. 

LF took us over to the State Capital during Cherry Blossom season. 

Whenever the roommates take LF to the capital they have to stop by the worlds best statues.  A parade of Animals. 

Sequoia even got in on this picture. 

Our last adventure took us to some of the fancy neighborhoods in town.  Reed College is part of the area we walked through.  Super nice homes.

The walk was near Reed College - a spendy little place (if you aren't getting any financial aid) but a nice campus. 

Then we did something very Portland: we ate at a food cart. Food carts have come a long way from the ones you might remember seeing on a construction site or at the parking lot of warehouses.  Not so much anymore. 

Today's food carts are CORE food carts. Lots of interesting food: Korean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, BBQ, Asian Fusion and food from Myramar.  Portland is very pro.ud of it's food cart culture

Us stuffies had some hard decisions but ended up with the Korean.  Purple Rice (Yum), Kimchi (meh) and Korean Style Fried Chicken (Mega Yum).

A fox needs to eat - 29 palms edition.

 Ok, a fox needs to snack. Here is my list of my favorite Joshua Tree places.  Amazing chicken at Fans Sportsbar (and cheap drinks).

If you are looking to get some exercise and have delicious nachos you have to check out the Bowladium in 29 palms. 

Locally owner and operated (and made locally too) at the Coyote Cone.  

If you are ever in Indio California and hungry (or not hungry) but you have to get a date shake at the Shields Date Farm.  The shake is the best date shake around - trust me.

They also have a display garden at Shields - but the shakes are not to be missed. 

Finally, a beer or two.  I dragged the humans to the 29 palms beer company a couple of times.  The porter was fabulous. 

This beer is amazing - it's the Delly Jonut. A raspberry infused beer - so great.