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. 

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. 

 

Esteemed guests.

Hello Blog World, Baxter here.  Just preparing for our esteemed guests arrival with a few of the Christmas stuffies.  We have a little bear who has a Santa complex and Monsieur Mouse another Christmas stuffy.  These two are my welcoming comittee.

"Argg, my back".  

"I know, I know.  Where is Little Fox?  The customs agent told us to wait here and Little Fox isn't anywhere to be seen".

"Hiya gang, a little trouble with customs for me but I made it through without any problems.  Welcome to the US."

"Let's see where my pals are.  Baxter texted me and said he was planning a little arrival party."

Baxter here, let me do some intros.  I'm Baxter, this big mouse is Monsieur Mouse, and you must be Cocoa and Navy Beanie.  

Baxter here. I have been slaving away at a welcoming gift.  First is the cheese course. I hope you like it.

"Is that Tillamook cheese and Rogue Creamery Blue Cheese?"  
"Let's dig in," said Monsieur Mouse. 

 

After the cheese course we went straight to dessert.  Lemon Poppyseed Cake. 

Baxter went to get the ice cream while he made the rest of us wait for our dessert.

Holy Cow, they are arriving early!!!!

 Baxter here.  What is going on with Canada Goose Air?  Little Fox's plane is arriving soon.  I thought he would be spending more time in LA on his way back home, but just the weekend.  Time to get this place cleaned up.

Okay team, let's divide and conquer.

Drunk Fox: Clean up the kitchen and stock the fridge with healthy snacks.

Reindeer: Get to the store and get some good cheese. I hear LF is bringing some friends and they like cheese. 

Raccoon, Moose, and Bear:  Our visitors experienced trauma many years ago during a tsunami so I want you three to be on your best behavior.  Got it?

Me, I'll go back to the vacuuming and general cleaning.

Time to get the house in shape as the party is set to begin.

An adventure with Baxter

 Hiya Gang,
Baxter here.  I'm carefully hanging out on this barb wire fence while my roommates get the dog ready for our hike.  It's a beautiful fall day so we're taking advantage of the sunny weather. 

The area I'm exploring today is an old ranch, turned hiking trails.  The wildflowers are pretty good here in the spring. I have to admit I blend into the scenery pretty well. 

Sequoia clearly found the trail.   He knows lunch is coming soon. Must be a canine instinct.

Wide open spaces, so much to explore. 

Whew, made it back to the start of the trail, near the old fence and cabin foundation. 

Being that I'm an ice cream afficianado I insisted we get something for the drive home.

My roommates begrudgingly agreed and treated me to a Ruby Jewel Ice Cream Sandwich. 

Birthday Dinner for the Foxes

 Hiya, 

It's been a while since this Fox got back on his blog.  However, the birthday events this weekend were super important.

I wanted to make a special meal for my pal (and fellow birthday fox) Drunk Fox. 

Before we get cooking a little wine for me. 

Some fancy coffee  for my pal Drunk Fox. 

Kermit never wants to be left out of the action so he joined us too.

Now for the main course:  Salmon.

Tonight's meal is all about Drunk Fox.  He wanted Salmon Fried Rice and being that it's his birthday too I can only oblige. 

After a little bit of time in the kitchen dinner is served.  Drunk Fox is being polite by using a fork, I'm digging right in.

Kermit wanted to get something special for the night so he got us both a piece of chocolate cake to share.

"Sure Kermit we can split this three ways."

Time to head home (well almost)

 Hiya Gang.
Little Fox and I here.  Today Little Fox has offered to take me around Hood River.  It's near The Dalles and on the way home why not.

Hood River is a super popular town.  Today we are doing a volksmarch around town.  Hoping to see some sight (check off the Columbia River).  

Met this cool dinosaur outside of the gas station.  This guy is in great shape (except for that pesky sticker on it's side).

A mile or so away from the dinosaur we came across this pedestrian bridge. It goes across the Hood River (which flows into the Columbia).  Sadly no spawning salmon in the Hood River. 

What a nice day. Along the way the volksmarch organizers had all sorts of public art.  This is one our favorites.

So much more adventuring to do.  Lunch, cocktails and a drive home.  This little fox and bear need their rest.

A quick afternoon adventure

 Hiya Gang,a t
Sandy and Little Fox here. This afternoon we left The Dalles to see the stars (ok, more specifically the sun) at the Goldendale Observatory. 

The telescope (the real one, not this model) was built for Clark College in Vancouver.  However, the light pollution was too much in Vancouver.  A few amateur astronomers were traveling through Goldendale in the 70s (Goldendale has a pretty good reputation for sky viewing) and they talked to a diner owner who said the city would be interested. 

Fast forward 40+ years the obersatory is still hopping.  The telescope is a reflecting one, still operating and open to the public.

Whew, what a day.  Adventuring around town, visiting a winery, checking out the observatory, catching a nice sunset.  

This fox and bear are ready for a rest. 

Fort Dalles Museum

 Hi Blog Pals,
Sandy here.  My pal Little Fox has planned a nice weekend escape for me.  The first stop is at the Fort Dalles Museum. 

Fort Dalles was established in 1838.  Behind me are the surgeons quarters.  This is the back entrance (near the kitchen) and now it's the main entrance to the museum.

This is the main entrance to the surgeons quarters back in the day.  As you can see the surgeon and their family had a pretty darn nice house.  

Inside the museum they had all sorts of cool stuff from The Dalles.  The Dalles was one of the last stops on the Oregon Trail and has an unique and vibrant history. 

As with any older town (The Dalles was established in 1857)  there were lots of buildings.  This board was used at the Umatilla House.  

The Umatilla House was known as the best hotel west of Chicago and North of San Francisco.

Many famous people stayed at the Umatilla House including Mark Twain, but lots of "regular" people stayed there too including gold miners in the Winter.  Apparently, the owners of the Umatilla House were very generous and when people could not pay their bill it was not a problem.  They often told people to send the money when they could.  

The Umatilla House cellar could hold 2,500 gallons of whiskey, could hold 200 men at a time, and was rumored to be more profitable than the profits on room and board together. 

Time to try my luck on an old slot machine. 

Outside of the surgeons quarters was a garage with a variety of old cars, wagons and transports. 

While in the garage we met this friendly cat. 

Smart cat, he's hanging out by the old milk wagon.

A few more old cars. 

Time for this bear and fox to check in at the hotel and get a good nap in before we head out on the town. 

A little road trip

 Sandy and I are off to the Gorge (final destination: The Dalles) but on the way we decided to stop and see Multnohmah Falls.

Great hiking nearby (sadly mother nature disagreed with us and presented us with rain, light snow and chilly weather).   Off to our next stop. 

A coastal adventure day 2.

 Hiya world.  Day 2 and it's time for Little Fox and Sandy to explore the beach.

Little Fox here: I hope Sandy likes the beach. Today our adventure starts out at South Beach State Park. This tree in the background has some damage to the bark, I wonder if that was animal created or human created?

What a day!  Taking a break on our walk and the archaeologist in me wants to explore the old building in the background. 

Sandy's game but the roommates said and emphatic "NO!".  Onward.

The beach was so pleasant today.  Not too many people.  Great weather.  Kind of windy but us stuffies are strong.  Sandy and I enjoyed hanging out and watching the world go by.  

Eventually it was time to go back to the bearbandb we rented.  Sandy wanted to stop and get a gift for me and the roommates.

How generous!  Thanks Sandy.   We'll have to open this up with dinner.  Speaking of dinner this fox and bear got their picture taken before the food was devoured.

All that adventuring tires out little stuffies and they need their sustenance.