From Desert Dust to Milkshake Betrayal: Little Fox Explores the Alvord

Before heading out on my next adventure to the Alvord Desert, I enjoyed a quiet cup of coffee at the historic Frenchglen Hotel and did what any curious little fox would do. Looking out at the smoky skies from nearby wildfires, I wondered what secrets this incredible desert landscape held. 

The Alvord Desert is a fascinating place, a massive dry lake bed tucked between the towering Steens Mountain and the vast Oregon outback, where silence, open skies, and endless horizons create a feeling like you’ve stepped onto another planet.

 The Alvord Desert is not your typical desert it is a massive dry lake bed that receives only about 7 inches of rain a year, making it one of the driest places in Oregon.

 With its cracked desert floor, towering Steens Mountain backdrop, and endless open skies, it feels like a landscape from another planet.

Of course, I also had to learn about some of the unusual things that have happened out here. The hard, flat playa has attracted speed enthusiasts for decades, with several land speed records being set on its surface.

Of course, no adventure through the Alvord Desert would be complete without a stop at Fields Station.

 I had heard rumors about their famous milkshakes, and apparently the roommates had heard those rumors too. Unfortunately, while they enjoyed a delicious, cold milkshake, somehow my little fox ears did not hear an invitation.

After realizing their "little milkshake mistake", the roommates attempted to make things right. Their solution? A bribe, of course a cold beer in exchange for me "forgetting" that I was left out of the milkshake adventure.

I have to admit, it was a pretty clever apology strategy. A little fox can forgive a lot when there is a tasty treat involved, but I’m still keeping a close eye on those roommates. Next time we stop at Fields Station, I’m making sure my milkshake order is placed first!

Standing there, surrounded by silence, dramatic mountains, and miles of open space, I felt like I had discovered one of Oregon’s best-kept secret