The Palm Springs of Washignton.

 Long weekend! You know what that means: time for Little Fox to pack his bags and hit the road. This time, the destination was Yakima, Washington.  A place I had heard about but had never properly explored. So, with the roommates in tow (apparently they were coming too), we headed east for a few days of adventure, sunshine, and whatever trouble a curious little fox could find.

First up on my Yakima adventure, I spotted a sign making a rather bold claim: “Best Ice in Town.”

Well, excuse me? That is a serious statement, and naturally, Little Fox needed to know more. Was this really the best ice in Yakima? Or was someone just feeling a little too confident about their frozen water?

After a quick Volksmarch around town to stretch my little fox legs, it was time to get out of Yakima and into the mountains. 

The trees along the trail were tall and majestic, reaching way up into the sky. They sure made this little fox feel small, but in a pretty darn awesome way. 

Finally, we made it to Cramer Lake! After all that hiking, I was pretty happy to see the water—and maybe even happier to take a little break.

The reviews mentioned that a bear had been spotted at the lake about a week earlier. Hmm… could it have been my pal Sandy stopping by? 

Time to head back to town! A local winery in an Art Deco building was having free live music that evening. Well, you know this fox loves two things: a good deal and Art Deco! So naturally, I was ready to check it out.

Except… the roommates “forgot” to bring me along.

Forgot?! Hmph. I’m not saying I’m keeping score, but Little Fox definitely remembers these things.

I mean for goodness sake, check out this lobby?

After the roommates’ classic little blunder of leaving me behind, they decided they better make it up to me. Their solution? Take Little Fox on a quintessential Yakima hike. Well, I suppose that’s one way to get back in my good graces.

The desert calls, and I must go! There’s something about Yakima’s dry, open landscape that makes this little fox feel right at home. In fact, I’m starting to think Yakima earned their nickname as the Palm Springs of Washington. 

 Just with fewer palm trees and a whole lot more sagebrush. Add sunshine, desert-like scenery, mountains, and a laid-back vibe, and I’d say Yakima has definitely earned the nickname.

Mail Call

 Today, I got a very special surprise in the mailbox.  No not bills, junk mail but mail from Sandy!  It’s always exciting to see my name on an envelope, especially when it comes from a good friend up North. 

First up was a card from Sandy and crew, who were off exploring the East Coast Trail in Eastern Canada. Their adventures got Little Fox wondering: if Canada can have an East Coast Trail, why doesn’t the U.S. have both a West Coast Trail and an East Coast Trail? Seems like a pretty good idea to me just think of all the hiking, scenery, and fox-sized adventures that could fill them!

Sandy also mentioned that the garden is doing okay, although Little Fox has to admit our tomatoes are struggling too—maybe it just hasn’t been hot enough? The beans, on the other paw, sound like they’re doing great, and Sandy has plans to pickle them. That sounds delicious, so Sandy, be sure to send a jar (or two!) down this way.  Just like Jerry, Little Fox is always happy to help with quality control!

Next up was a postcard from Sandy and crew, dated July 19—but somehow the roommates didn’t get it to Little Fox until August. Aghast! What sort of mailroom operation are they running around here? 

The card featured a very good-looking puffin, which Sandy and Co. reported was smaller than expected, along with a mention of some Art Deco buildings that immediately caught Little Fox’s attention. Hmmm… perhaps it’s time for another scouting mission. And, more importantly, is there going to be a fourth non-annual Art Deco contest in the near future? Little Fox thinks the important questions need to be asked!

From Desert Dust to Milkshake Betrayal: Little Fox Explores the Alvord

Before heading out on my next adventure to the Alvord Desert, I enjoyed a quiet cup of coffee at the historic Frenchglen Hotel and did what any curious little fox would do. Looking out at the smoky skies from nearby wildfires, I wondered what secrets this incredible desert landscape held. 

The Alvord Desert is a fascinating place, a massive dry lake bed tucked between the towering Steens Mountain and the vast Oregon outback, where silence, open skies, and endless horizons create a feeling like you’ve stepped onto another planet.

 The Alvord Desert is not your typical desert it is a massive dry lake bed that receives only about 7 inches of rain a year, making it one of the driest places in Oregon.

 With its cracked desert floor, towering Steens Mountain backdrop, and endless open skies, it feels like a landscape from another planet.

Of course, I also had to learn about some of the unusual things that have happened out here. The hard, flat playa has attracted speed enthusiasts for decades, with several land speed records being set on its surface.

Of course, no adventure through the Alvord Desert would be complete without a stop at Fields Station.

 I had heard rumors about their famous milkshakes, and apparently the roommates had heard those rumors too. Unfortunately, while they enjoyed a delicious, cold milkshake, somehow my little fox ears did not hear an invitation.

After realizing their "little milkshake mistake", the roommates attempted to make things right. Their solution? A bribe, of course a cold beer in exchange for me "forgetting" that I was left out of the milkshake adventure.

I have to admit, it was a pretty clever apology strategy. A little fox can forgive a lot when there is a tasty treat involved, but I’m still keeping a close eye on those roommates. Next time we stop at Fields Station, I’m making sure my milkshake order is placed first!

Standing there, surrounded by silence, dramatic mountains, and miles of open space, I felt like I had discovered one of Oregon’s best-kept secret