A day out and about

Hiya Gang,
Little Fox, Cocoa and Navy Beanie here as we explore the Fruit Loop.  First stop is the petting zoo.  I can't help but be mesmerized by these chickens - management told me I  had to stay behind the fence or else.....

Looks like Navy Beanie made a friend.  

Cocoa was more interested in the flowering trees and the views of Mt. Hood in the background. 

So pretty - Cocoa wonders if these are cherry or apple trees? 

Navy spotted some alpacas way in the back - 

The petting zoo also had a bakery (or the bakery had a petting zoo) either way. Navy and Beanie found a few homemade pies

 to take home to Sandy.  Note - sorry Sandy these cookies were consumed before we left.

We saw this cool yard art and had to stop at the winery.

Navy and I shared a glass, Cocoa is off in the office getting us another bottle.

 

In search of the perfect pumpkin for J and B's content

Oh hello there.
Little Fox at the helm of the blog today.  I am on a quest to find a good Jack-O-Lantern picture for Jerry and Ben's Halloween Contest.   No, I am not going as a goat.  Although I did see this cute animal on my adventure.

Today, my goal is to find a Jack-O-Lantern picture to enter into the contest.  Any good quest starts with lunch.  Yum, chips.  

Oh my goodness.  A whole sub sandwich for me?  Chicken Parmesean?  Are you serious?  Is this my birthday?  Who knows for sure, BUT I am a VERY lucky fox today. 

I can't wait to dig into this.

Now that I have had a proper lunch it's time to explore stop #1. I saw this pumpkin and it's kind of intersting but not really what I am looking for.  

Now, why am I not carving a pumpkin this year?  Well, my carving team (aka roommates) are short on time this year and afraid I won't make the deadline.  So, Little Fox is going to find a Jack-O-Lantern to adopt so I can take a picture.

My, I hope this doesn't disqualify me....

Not to sway any judges but the next stop had lots of local honey.  Judge Jerry, are you paying attention?

The next stop was an ice cream shop and bakery and they had a Jack-O-Lantern to boot.  I like him but he's not my favorite yet.

Judge Jerry.....this place has lots of homemade pies.   Any suggestions on which one to send your way?

Okay, enough blatant bribing of Judge Jerry.  The next stop had a little Jack-O-Lantern.  Not too bad.  It's a good size for a little fox. 

Same Jack-O-Lantern but a different view.  Better but I am not 100% sure it's the one for the contest. 

This is a nice harvest scene.  Pumpkins, my Jack-O-Lantern, and an old box.  I think this picture will do. 

Time to celebrate.  A mission accomplished.  I think I will have some cider.  

Wait!   This cider sampler is missing one.  I need to have a strict conversation with my roommates about the missing cider.

Jerry and Ben, thank you for hosting the contest.  I can't wait to see the results.

Bear BACK in Charge Blog 12? Road Trip!

Little Fox's roommates told me to pack my bags today.  We are taking a road trip.  Should I pack for a day trip or a longer trip?  Ack!  Such decisions, luckily for me my wardrobe doesn't vary much so in a nutshell....I'm packed!

The roommates took me east today.  The first stop was near the town of Hood River.  The fruit trees should be blossoming today so I hope to get some good pictures.

  Hood River isn't served by Amtrak but Bingen Washington is (Jerry and Ben...hint hint).   Bingen Washington is served by Amtrak so if you two are ever taking the train west let me know.  I know a great ice cream shop to recommend, along with good coffee, an artisan bakery, and a few wineries.  

After buying some farm fresh eggs from the side of the road we made our first official stop. Apple Valley General Store. 

 

Free samples of jams, jellies and they sell fresh baked treats. 

 They have a nice picnic area.  Some of there trees are blooming too.

 A nice place to relax and enjoy a fresh baked treat.  Should I get a turnover?  Maybe a slice of pie?  They also have milkshakes and a couple of flavors of ice cream.

They are advertising huckleberry milkshakes.  If they are advertising them they must be good. 

After Apple Valley it was off to Parkdale, Oregon near Mt. Hood. Oh, this place looks good.  Let's stop here.

Before lunch we had to walk around and explore the town.  Nice views of the mountain behind me. 

Fruit trees are blooming, when does the fruit come?

The Mount Hood Railroad is coming into station.  It's a couple hour trip from Hood River to Parkdale then an hour or two in Parkdale.  Lot's of blooming trees and good views on the way up and down.

Enough chit chat. Let's eat.  There's a great BBQ place here called Apple Valley BBQ.  It's an offshoot of the Apple Valley store I visited earlier so I hope it's good.