Little Fox: Archeologist in search of the Oregon Trail.

I received an urgent message from the museum begging me to do some research to try and find remnants of the Oregon Trail.  Being an adventurous fox I was ready for the challenge.  I started my adventure at a state park on the Deschutes River near the Columbia River.  What a nice day for a trip.

I had to do some hiking before I was out of the populated area of the park to the area where I thought I could find some artifacts.  Too hot for my archeologist hat, whip, and satchel.

The USGS monitors the level of the Deschutes River and they have one of these thingy's.  Too bad, it's behind a fence so I won't be able to access it anytime soon.

I started getting away from the river and higher up in the country.   Possible Oregon Trail remnants ahead.  If I find anything the museum is going to be very happy with me and probably extend my archeology contract another year.

The flowers are out in full swing.  I am look smashing next to this Lupine don't I?

Acres of Balsamroot were out too.  Although,  I am a little late in the season for the full bloom of Balsamroot it's still showing well today. 

Back to the job at hand.  I am hoping to find some ruts from wagons coming this way on the Oregon Trail.  Looks like Sequoia found something.  Let's see. 

Ah, leave it to a dog to find a comfy place for a fellow canine to rest. 

I better follow the middle trail - seems like a good idea doesn't it?

Trains!  Jerry and Ben this post if for you. Trains and I believe the word Deschutes is from the French Trappers from years ago. 

Looks like Sequoia found something.

It's an old trail, not the Oregon Trail but apparently this area was a stagecoach route during the 1860s (after the Oregon Trail craze).  Not what I was hoping for but probably enough to keep me on as resident canine archeologist at the museum.  

A trip to the ranch

Hello Blog Pals ~
It's been a busy day for me, Little Fox.  My roommates told me we were going to an old ranch that is now a state park.  I don't know much about ranches except that they always have a cook who makes big meals for all the ranch workers. I am hoping there is a chuck-wagon meal waiting for me at the ranch.

Let's Go!

The wildflowers are out today.  This tree smells great!

This balsamroot doesn't smell but I love the color. Now do you think they have one in Orange?

Taking a rest, more balsamroot.

The yellow really brings out my pawsitive personality doesn't it? 

Now, if you remember I was told I was going to a ranch and I was expecting a chuck wagon dinner cooked by a ranch hand.  All I see are wildflowers, where is the ranch?

Barbed wire, fence posts I must be getting close. 

A nice little boquet of balsamroot and blue lupine. 

Another barb wire fence, I must be getting closer. 

Do you see it?  The ranch (oh yes and Mt. Hood).  I am so hungry. 

I hope they have a ranch chicken dish cooked in a cast iron oven served with a big salad and corn bread muffins.  

Sequoia is staring off toward the ranch - I bet he is hungry too. 

---Lunch time---

My roommates told me it was lunch time and we were at the ranch.  I didn't smell ranch chicken, I didn't smell any fresh cornbread. Hmm, this could be interesting.

Well it wasn't what I was hoping for but we have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some chips,  a cliff bar and some cheese.  Not a bad lunch.

Thanks Droopy

Today was such a beautiful day my roommates and I decided to take a walk.  Check out these tulips - I love Spring.  Jerry, are tulips blooming in your neck of the woods?

I was in charge of navigating my roommates walk so guess where we ended up at?

Yep, Starbucks.  

I can see why they call this cup tall, it's almost as tall as me! 

After our walk I lead my roommates back home.   There was a package from Droopy in the mail, it was the winnings from my pawesome entry into Droopy's K-9 comedy contest. 

This knife ought to be a good letter opener for this package. 

OK, let's see what we have here.  Oh, fox stickers, my favorite!  Yipee!

A fun noisemaker - yes Sequoia and I will have lots of fun with this.  Oh, I can't forget the award certificate from Droopy.  I will have to make a trip to the frame show to get my award certificate framed.

An adventure, a trip to starbucks, and gifts from Droopy.  What a day!

Thanks Droopy.

Castle Valley, Corona Arch, and Petroglyphs. Oh my, I am a busy fox.

I wanted to see the famous Corona Arch but my roommates told me that we were going to Castle Valley, then to look at some petroglyphs and if time, take a hike to Corona Arch. I didn't like the "if time" comment and I am  a little worried.

 Before we left Arches National Park we had to stop at a place called Balanced Rock. I hope it doesn't fall.

Next stop was lunch then to a place called Castle Valley.  Many famous movies were filmed in this area:

Thelma and Louise

Lone Ranger 2013

And my personal favorite, MacGyver.  

This area of Castle Valley is called the Priest and the Nuns. Hmm, not a great picture of the rocks (but a smashing one of me if you ask). 

Do you see it now?

Ah, here is a better (i.e. professional photograph) of the formation. 

Off to Corona Arch. 

Hiking in the desert is different than hiking in the Northwest.  The trails down here aren't as easily marked but they do have cairns (trail markers) to follow. 

Some humans went overboard on marking the trail here. 

Ok got it.  Enough cairns already. 

I found it!  Coronoa Arch.  Excellent.

Wow, that arch is big.  I hope to get closer.

I have crossed the arch and I am on the other side.  My gosh it's a big arch.

Utah was great. I hope to go back and maybe lead a tour with Stuffie Tours. 

Arches National Park Visit

We left our readers off with me catching up with the stuffies that lived in and around Moab, Utah. I wanted to get some insider tips on where to go.  Unanimously, all the stuffies said go to Arches National Park, so that's where I am headed. 

The Utah state license plate has a famous arch on it called Delicate Arch. 

I am hoping to find it today.

Is this the famous arch on the Utah State License Plate?  Nope, this is a non-named arch.  Perhaps I could name it Little Fox's Arch. 

What about this one? 

This isn't Delicate Arch but it's called Double Arch. I have a feeling I am closer to finding the famous arch. 

They call this one Turret Arch. 

A quick rest on the trail. 

Do you see it?  It's I, Little Fox at Delicate Arch.  Yipee! I made it. Now what?

My stuffie friends gave me some more suggestions on where to go. 

I need to find some places called Corona Arch and Castle Valley. 

PS- Happy Easter Blog Pals. 

Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny and I are enjoying a relaxing morning.

Happy Easter Everyone.  Now when are we going to break into the candy in the basket? 

Day two: Moab Utah

Hello Blog Pals ~
It's me, Little Fox, back on vacation (or holiday for my Canadian and English stuffy friends).
I convinced my roommates to take me back to Canyonlands National Park.  Today, we left the flat top mesa area to go to the Needles District.

The Needles District was less populated but I am looking at the Islands in the Sky district about 60 miles away.

Ooh, there is a hike nearby.  Let's go!

It's more of a climb then a hike but I am doing great.

The desert flowers were somewhat in bloom.  I did see that the Indian Paintbrush is blooming.  

Ouch!  This looks spiky.

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One thing the Needles area is known for is the petroglyphs made by the Anasazi Indians about 4000 years ago. I am still studying archeology at the University but I have to admit my classes have focused more on secret meetings with operatives and treasure hunting versus trying to figure out what ancient people were saying.  However, I best explore.

This petroglyph looks important. I wish I brought my archaeology books. 

 This petroglyph was called newspaper rock. 

Time to head back to Moab after a long day of exploring. When I got home I found a group of stuffies waiting to welcome me to their clan. I hope they have some good travel suggestions.