Bear in charge blog 10. Let's explore

Hi Gang.  Baxter here.  I am out exploring the Columbia River Gorge.  This is an old orchard and unfortunately the trees aren't bearing fruit anymore. 

There are some great views of the Columbia River.  If you follow this river eventually you'll make it to Canada.

Years ago this area was an old ranch.  A few remnants of the old ranch are still in tact.

After a little hiking I ended up in a field of wildflowers.

This is a better photo of me don't you think?

A nice comfy rock.

The cool thing about this hike is that there is a whole open meadow to explore.  Actually, this might be a good place for lunch.

Kettle Chips.  Ever had them?  They are pretty tasty.

Cherry tomatoes to offset the saltynesss of the chips.

Apples.  Good source of vitamins for this guy.

And finally some string cheese.

Enough with lunch.  Sequoia says it's time to get back on the trail.

Let's go!

Bear in charge blog 9. On the road again.

Hi Gang!  Baxter here.  I am on the way to the central Oregon badlands.  Some nice mountains in the background.

Glad I made it to the wilderness.  After last nights drinking I need little wilderness therapy.

Onward.

Lots of juniper out here.  I think the juniper berry is used in gin production.  I better consult Drunk Fox.

More mountains in the background.

So many trails to explore.  I am off to flatiron rock.  Maybe I can get a flatiron steak at the rock?

The mountains look good.

Extreme zoom sure helps the picture.

A great hike.  I think I need some food.  So many choices. 

I bet this guy knows a good spot to eat.

Yum, a smokehouse.  Smoked meat.

Wow, what a spread for a little bear. 

To top off a great weekend day and trip is fresh ice cream.  This looks like a great place.

Bear still in charge. Blog 8

Hello Blog World,
Baxter here at the helm of the blog this week.  On my list of things to do while Little Fox was gone included many things:  Hike, day trips, eat ice cream, and take mini vacations.  Looks like another weekend trip has been planned. 

This trip I am off to Bend, Oregon.  A trendy (i.e. expensive) mountain town in Central Oregon.  Bend was named after the bend in the Deschutes (French, right Ben?) River that went through the area.  It's had a lively history.  During WWII the air force trained here.  It was cattle raising country for many many years, it's the Oregon High Desert so the temperatures are really hot or cold and now it's pretty much a retirement/ski/tourist town. I'm hanging out at the McMenamins Old St. Francis School, my lodging for the night.  In the meantime I figured I would get a drink.

Ah this is better.  A nice porter beer and a hard apple cider on the side.  This ought to be enough alcohol for one bear.  

I need a break.  All this drinking is tiring this little bear out.  As I was exploring town I came across this cool bird.  I like his scarf, don't you?

Ahh.  Some food.  I am enjoying an Australian meat pie and a beer for dinner.  Yum.  Meat, cheese, egg and pie crust.  It's almost like having dessert for dinner. 

Finally, time to relax back at the room.  A nice big bottle of water is needed and some hot coffee to keep this bear going.  

Rumor has it that there are some adventures planned for tomorrow.  Do you think a stop to an ice cream parlor might be in the plans?  Stay tuned...

Bear in Charge Blog 7. Mt. McLoughlin and Bears

Hello blog world.  Baxter here, waiting patiently for the humans to get hiking boots on and Sequoia leashed up so we can go hiking.  Today's hike is at the Jacksonville Woods.  A nice wooded trail system in town. 

My goal on this trail is to make it to panorama point.  Apparently on a sunny day you can get a good view of Mt. McLoughlin. 

Lots of open space on this trail.

Another example of a pacific madrone tree.  My favorite tree so far. 

I must be getting close.  

Made it to the viewpoint.  Mt McLoughlin was named after Dr. McLoughlin, the unofficial father of Oregon.  He was an important person in the Hudson's Bay Company and their beaver trapping business at Fort Vancouver.  He was also very generous, when pioneers on the Oregon trail came out to Oregon he would give them credit at the fort store to start planting a farm, get tools, and often give them supplies till they could start farming. 

After this hike it was time to explore.

Somehow ended up back at the town that had the homemade custard (no I didn't any this time :(

The town did have a few bears on display.  Every year they hold a bear fest.  These are some of the permanent bears as bear fest isn't till June.

This bear is ready for a white water rafting adventure. 

I need a hat like this. 

Sigh.  Time to head home.  Where is my next adventure going to take me? 

Bear in charge blog 6, Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery

Baxter here.  Hope all is going well.  Another day on vacation for this bear. 

Today I am out and about exploring Gold Hill Oregon.  As the name might imply there was gold in them hills many years ago.  The building I am about to explore is an old  assay office that fell off its foundation and slid down a hall in 914.  Some say it slid down the hill because it was built near the Oregon Vortex, a place very sacred to Native Americans.   

The Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery is a roadside attraction known for optical illusions.  You can't take video at the vortex (rules....you know) but I found a you tube video that demonstrates the coolness of the place.

Little Fox would love the color of this sign. 

 You learn about the vortex and other vorti in the world then you get to see all sorts of optical illusions once you get inside the old assay office.   Whoa, be careful in here.

 Can they turn on the lights please?

The tour guide said that dogs are not allowed at the vortex.  They say that when service dogs come they start barking, growling and get aggressive inside of the assay office.  The tour guide explained that it's part of the mystery of the vortex.  

Next stop was to visit a winery for a picnic and a glass or two of wine.  I found a nice winery to hang out at.  Big vats of wine all ready to go.

 Lots of elbow room at this winery.

The grapes look in good shape.  The grass is mowed, the grapes are planted in nice rows, now the wine maker just needs to wait for grapes to grow.

Now it's time to sample some of the local wine.