A quick visit to Astoria, one of the oldest settlements west of the Rockies

 Hiya Gang.
Little Fox here on a quick day-trip to Astoria.  Yep, it's a pretty old city for the Western Coast of the United States, founded in 1811 by John Astor (named the city, never visited) as s fur trading outpost.

Now, it's a nice little town with a unique history of marine transportation, canning, and tourism (none of which will be discussed today :)

The Mouth of the Columbia, also known as the Graveyard of the Pacific is one heck of an entry from the Pacific Ocean to the Columbia River.  The Coast Guard has been helping vessels navigate this challenging piece of river (or ocean) for years.  

The lighthship, Columbia, operated as a light house on a ship from about 1951 to about 1979.  It was replaced by a buoy that guided ships but during it's heyday it hosted a crew of 18 sailors and it was a very boring and monotonous posting. Two to four weeks on the ship at a time and most of the time in the winter rough weather made it challenging to deliver fresh supplies on board.    Yep, you guessed it the Columbia was the last lightship operated by the coastguard.

The Coast Guard has a strong history in Astoria (and up and down the Pacific Coastline).  The boats stationed here are to support boats, people lost at sea, stuck in bad weather and law enforcement (oh yeah in 2021 they seized about 67 million dollars worth of Cocaine and saved a sea turtle from a gill net).

Finally, to round out my blog today Astoria has a history of being a place to film movies in Oregon.  The Goonies, Short Circuit, and Kindergarten Cop.  

Behind me is the school used as the school from Kindergarten Cop (Schwarzenegger at the height of his movie career). 

Teddy bear test ride - Adventureland in Iowa

How does one get a ticket to ride with these bears? 

Wildflower Hunting on Mt. Hebo

 Time for a hike on Mt. Hebo near the Oregon Coast.  It's an old Native American trail and also one used by the pioneers.  Rediscovered by the forest service in 1975 and an official trail in 1984. 

My goal is to look for a specific wildflower, the Coast Range Fawn Lily, that grows on the Northern Oregon Coast and is abundant at Mt. Hebo. Hope to see it. 

Nope, not it.  It's Indian Paintbrush instead. 

Perhaps an avalanche lily?  Maybe the Pacific Trillium?

A happy dog.

Columbine.

I think this might be it. My Inaturalist app says it Davidson's Penstemon, not the Coast Range Fawn Lily.

Here's a better view of the flowers.

Mt Hebo used to have an Air Force Radar station up here during WW2 but they have taken down any evidence of that many years ago.  

Finally, a hike and a post!!!!!

 Hiya World.

Little Fox here. My buddy Sequoia and I decided to take a little hike today. 

Our location today is Eagle Creek.  Home to a large fire in 2017 and last year they reopened some of the trails. 

The bridge is in good shape.  Lower Punchbowl Falls was my destination but I want to go further. 

The Eagle Creek Canyon is so pleasant. 

A few wildflowers are out, is this columbine?

Mail from Droopy!

 Hi Blog World,
Little Fox here.  Got an awesome card from my pal Droopy today.  He's vacationing in Hawaii and having a blast.

Droopy is one smart dog.  This morning woke up to a light snow on the ground.  Very rare for my city (and this time of the year). 
Enjoy your trip Droopy and Co.  Safe Travels.

LF

Seattle Day 2 and 3.

Good Morning World.  Little Fox here at the International District in Seattle.  The Smith Tower in the background and this cool dragon on the power pole. 

The large gate welcomes you to the International District.  The gate has been up and running since 1999. The Portland gate has been open since 1984 and the San Francisco gate has been up since the 60s.

This fox is hungry  I think I am going to pass on the squid hot dog but definitely going to try the pastries. 

Now that I'm fortified (also got some Dim Sum) and it's time to explore more of the city.  On my way to Pike Place Market I stopped at the remodeled King Street Station (Seattle's Amtrak Station). 

Yipee, the train station is remodeled to it's grandeur.  Back in the 1940s and 1950s they put acoustic tiles to mitigate sound and had less than original seating.  

Onward. I found a cool location to stop and enjoy the view (and got a pear biscuit for breakfast tomorrow).

Pike Place Market was packed (shocker....) so no pictures for me.  Time to get back on the light rail back to my place.

My final day in Seattle actually was in Olympia.  To escape the wet weather we decided to explore Olympia (even though the original plan was Seattle).  Found this cool toy to play on. 

Onward Little Fox. 

 

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Off to Seattle for the weekend.

Greetings blog world.  Little Fox here enjoying a quick trip to the Emerald City (Yep, Seattle).
Day 1 starts off with a long walk out to Alki point.   

Of course along this trek I needed to stop and get some fortification.  Coffee and cookies.  The perfect snack for a little fox. 

My next stop (after the walk) was to Snoqualmie Falls.  

Whew, no foxes on this list.  Guess I can get fed by the humans. 

A short hike to the bottom of the falls and after my walk back up time to relax in the lodge. 

Whew this fox is tired.  I definitely need a break.  Where to next?