Welcome Spring

Hiya Gang,
LF here welcoming in Spring.  Today I am exploring the state capital, scouting some art deco shots for Sandy's next (hopefully) contest, and enjoying the nice Spring weather.  This is a cool parking garage, it's all underground and they made a state park is on t op of the garage.  Very cool..

At the state park they have all these interesting fun facts.  This one is my favorite. 

This one is on "Oregon  Firsts" such as: producing state wide voter pamphlets, state wide voter registration, electing US senators by vote, declare sovereignty of ocean beaches, adopting a workers compensation law and ban aerosol sprays.

I could not have asked for a better day.  

The capital is pretty impressive.  On top is "Oregon Pioneer".  He' was made in New Jersey, shipped across the panama canal and taken by train to Salem. Quite a journey.  

I made it as close as I can today (construction).  Can't go inside today to explore but keeping paws crossed I can explore soon. 

I can see the art deco influence but when I was reading online I also noticed people called it Soviet Era Construction, which I can see some of those influences as well. 

Since it's so nice today might as well explore the riverside park.  A cool bridge over the river and lots of outdoor art.

Trees are blooming and the river is calm. 

Time for this little fox to get lunch. 

Little Fox, Party Animal.

 Hiya Gang,
Little Fox here hanging out the McMenamins Elk's Temple in Tacoma. 

I'm hanging out at the Elk's Temple waiting for the concert doors to open. Tonight, I am seeing a Tom Petty/Johnny Cash cover band called "Petty-Cash".

While I'm waiting I think I might have myself a beer. 

Perhaps a little rest before the show starts. 

Down in front, it's hard for this little fox to see the band. 

Aw, this is better. What a fun concert.

Bonus points if you can name the song in the comments. 

Tacoma Exploration

Hiya Gang, Little Fox hanging out at Wright Park in Tacoma. It's supposed to rain later in the day but the weather gods have given me this respite so I am able to explore the park.  Wright Park was established in 1890.  

Wright Park is a very regal park.  Statuary, ponds, fountains, lawn bowling and horseshoe courts.  Something for everyone. 

Speaking of something for everyone they even have a monument to the armed forces.  An 18th century cannon from Sevilla Spain (1784). 

According to my research this cannon was used in the Spanish American War and captured in 1898 in Havana Cuba. Independence Day 1900 the USS Iowa fired a sunrise salute to the people of Tacoma, the cannon fired back a greeting that day and that was the only time the cannon was fired on US soil.

After leaving Wright Park it's time to explore the Point Defiance Zoo.  They had some good looking cats at the zoo.  This tiger has a nice has a nice lake to hang out at. 

I met these friendly penguins.  They are actually on loan from SeaWorld but I hope they stay in Tacoma. 

Hello fish.  How are you?

This fox has worked up an appetite. Off to find some fish and chips for lunch (yes, I am aware of the irony of eating fish and chips after vising the aquarium). 
 

Little Fox, Vashon Island Explorer

 Hiya Gang,
Little Fox here hanging out in Tacoma for a while. Today, I have been called into action by the University to explore and document Vashon Island. 

To get to Vashon one needs to drive onto the ferry. It's a quick crossing from Tacoma about 15 minutes but plenty of time for me to explore the upper decks.

Mt. Rainier decided to put on a nice display today as the boat leaves Tacoma.  The weather is supposed to be clear for about 4 hours.

Today, I am traveling on the MV Chetzemoka (named after a friendly Native American chief who influential during the white settlement of Port Townsend).  

Once on the Island I had my orders to explore the Point Robinson Lighthouse District. You can see the old lighthouse in the background (it has a red roof).  The lighthouse has been replaced by an electronic beacon operated by the coast guard. 

The lighthouse quarters are available for rent.  Not this time for me, but maybe a future trip? 

Besides getting to stay in a historic structure this is the view from the front porch.  Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier. 

Lot's of old buildings to explore.  This one was the lighthouse operators workshop. It's locked, but maybe I can arrange a tour?

 Nope, no tour but I can take a peek into the windows.

The Point Robinson Lighthouse sits on 24 acres that was purchased for a 1,000 in 1884 and the lighthouse construction began in 1885.  The light arrived from another lighthouse in Oregon in 1887 and the lighthouse was put into operation.

The last uniforned lighthouse keeper left the lighthouse in 1989.  Time for some lunch.  This foodcart's display intrigued me but it's starting to rain and there is no covered place to eat.  Sigh, any food cart that displays stuffies seems like my kind of establishment.

Time to get back on the ferry, this fox has lots more exploring to do.

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

 Hiya Gang,
Kermit and Drunk Fox here to wish everyone a happy St. Patrick's Day.   Little Fox is out scouting his Spring Hikes so Drunk Fox and I are here to run the blog today.

Drunk Fox wanted to be part of the blog this week since St. Patrick's Day is known for a variety of things including some drinking.  I wanted to be included because I'm a  green frog.

Let's check out this card from Sandy.  Oh, this is awesome!  A St. Patrick's Day card with a fox, this is the BEST card ever!!!!!  It seems that Sandy and Cocoa are getting ready for Spring (we are too).  Hopefully, they have some fun adventures planned for this Spring.

Thanks for the awesome card Sandy and Cocoa. 

Safe Travels Christmas Stuffies.

The Christmas Stuffies wanted to have one last party before they head down to their condo in Jamaica. 

 

Christmas and non Christmas stuffies all came out for the party. 

 

 

Lot's of  wine at stuffie parties.

.  Drunk Fox brought his own non-alcoholic beverage. 
 

One last final group picture.

'

 Out of no-where a horn was blaring.  The Christmas stuffies Uber is here and ready to take them to the airport.  Someone grab the keys to the condo, don't forget passports and be sure to bring the snacks.

See you next year.

 

Delayed Mail.....

 Hiya Gang,

Little and Drunk Fox here.  Just catching up on some mail.  

First up is a birthday card from Sandy and Cocoa.  They wished me a happy birthday (my birthday is in January so yep this post is really late).  

Thanks for the card Sandy and Cocoa.  As to your question about my age, well I'm not really sure (no records were kept as a kit)  and my only relative is Drunk Fox and he is not the most reliable uncle when it comes to things like this.

Jerry and Ben also sent a nice email message wishing me a happy birthday with a big adventure and a grand dessert to enjoy.  Thanks J and B.

J & B have been busy bears with their mail and my crew also received a cool valentine's day card.

Droopy and Crew sent this great valentine card. 

Apparently, according to the card, they fetched it just for me.  That's awesome!    Thanks!