A Spring Adventure: Wildflowers, Ice Cream and Wine.

 Hiya Gang!
Little Fox here, it's been a while since I have had a chance to blog.  It's Spring and it's wildflower season.  A few new hikes were discovered this year.  

A perfect day.  The Lupine and Balsam Root are blooming at the same time.  Such a treat for May. 

A short little hike on an unknown trail (aren't those the best?).  Came across a few other hikers with their dogs, a man on a horse (for real) , and a deer escorted us along the trail too. 

Afterwards a little reward for my effort.  All of these flavors are handmade in the back of the shop. 

Ended up with Apple Crisp and Strawberry Rhubarb.

Then we zipped over the Washington side of the gorge for a little wine tasting. 

What a view eh?  

Let's go!

Amidst towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, a curious trio sets out on an adventure like no other – Little Fox and his two trusty companions, the adventurous mice, Navy and Cocoa.

Their destination? A not-so hidden trail renowned for its breathtaking vistas and vibrant wildflowers. Onward Navy commands.

First up, some early spring flowers part of the carrot family none-the-less. Plus a waterfall to boot.

The California Poppies are coming out in full force.

So much sunshine and the flowers are starting there show.

Time to hand off the blog to Cocoa to see what they found.

Hiya Navy, here I found Balsamroot.  It's going nuts over here.

Another type of yellow flower - smaller than Balsamroot but just as amazing.

It's always good to get off the main trail and see some of the woods. You never know what you might find.  

This is so cool! A nice little grotto, just the right size for a mouse. 

Our little hiking buddy wanted to get a picture in the blog before it's time to sign off.

Where is Little Fox, everyone? He's nowhere to be found. Maybe he's lost in the woods....

A waterfall adventure

 Hiya Gang,
Little Fox, Navy and Cocoa Beanie here at one of my states most visited areas.  Any ideas? 

Did you guess Multnomah Falls?  If so, you get an "A" for the day.  If this guy moved out of the way we would have a perfect picture of the falls.  Sigh....humans are so dense.

Multnomah Falls is a 627 foot waterfall with two drops in the Columbia River Gorge and it's packed all the time.  Pro tip, visit in the morning or the evening. 

The forest is so pretty in the Spring.

Cocoa and Sequoia trying their best at a group picture.

 As one continues on the hike you come across more waterfalls and surprises. 

A few wildflowers and Cocoa is going to take it from here.

Cocoa here:  I'm the wildflower expert today.  Our first flower is native to the area and is the  Trillium recurvatum.  If the latin name doesn't do it for you we also call it the Trillium. 

Next up is the Ribes sanguineum also known as the Red Flowering Currant.  Native to the PNW, next time I'm up north inBC I might have to see if Sandy and I can find some.

A closer look (and a better picture for sure).

Finaly, a common sight in the area.  Polystichum munitum aka the Western Sword Fern found throughout the northwest and other areas such as the Black Hills of South Dakota, Baja California and beyond. 

On the way down we came across a few more waterfalls.  Fairy Falls, a hidden gem. 

Wait, is that Fairy Falls?  

Yep, according to this old sign that was a tad overgrown I'm at Fairy Falls for sure.

A little adventure

 Hiya Gang,

Little Fox here.  Today, I'm off on a nice springtime hike at an Old Cherry Orchard.

Spring is nearing it's end but I'm hoping to find some nice wildflowers.  Nothing quite yet, the trail has been redone recently and is in great condition. Paws crossed.

The last of the lupine.  

Sequoia found some good flowers as well.   Yeah Sequoia.

The wildflower season is slowly winding down but don't fret this fox has lots more exploring to do. 

Happy Memorial Day

 Hiya Gang,

Little Fox and Grinnel here.  We just wanted to wish all of our blog pals a happy Memorial Day and a special thank you to all of the service people who have passed away fighting in wars.

  In case you missed that day in history class Memorial Day is a day in which the US remembers all of those who have died fighting in US wars.  Many other countries have Memorial Days, often at different times of the year but all very important days.

In honor of Memorial Day I decided to do some hiking with my pal Sequoia.  First up is a California Poppy.

Balsam Root and Lupine.  What a day!

Finally, Sequoia, Balsam Root and the Columbia River.

Bachelor Mountain and Suttle Lake Adventure.

Little Fox here.  I am enjoying some time on Bachelor Mountain in the Central Oregon Cascades.  Over in the distance is Mt. Jefferson 

Yep. snow in this picture.  Way over there is Mt. Washington.

A few mountain wildflowers. 

The one and only beargrass plant I saw today.

A short hike to Bachelor Mountain so that means I can do something else.  I decided to coerce my roommates to stop at Suttle Lake Lodge. It started as a small lodge in the 1920s, then expanded during the 30s and once again in the 40s.  

The main lodge is fancy smancy.  Bear totem poles, racoon totem poles, where is the fox one? 

Drunk Fox would approve of this wine cellar. 

Oh yeah, probably should have a photo of the lake.  Yep, it's a nice one. 

Ah, what a day. I might have even worn out Sequoia.  

Nah, he's got energy galore. 

 

Tire Mountain hiking adventure.

Little Fox here.  Just enjoying some time on the beach.  Interesting....a starfish.....I thought they only lived near tidepools. I wonder what's up with this one?

As you can probably tell Sequoia is indifferent to the starfish and is ready to go hiking. 

Who can blame him?  Of course we have to leave the beach to go hiking.  That's okay.

This is the beginning of Tire Mountain.  During pioneer times a wagons tire fell off near here and someone named it Tire Mountain.  Go figure. 

Wildflowers are in season (forgot the name of the purple one...ohwell)

Indian paintbrush. 

This is balsam root. 

This is the last of the little yellow ones that come out in the early spring.  

Mountain bikers use this trail and the trail maintenance crew has done a good job of clearing trees and keeping the trail open for hikers, bikers, horses, foxes and dogs. 

This tree is old.  No time to count these rings. 

Some of the views along the way. 

Ironically, Tire Mountain no longer has views as the trees have grown and blocked the open views of the mountains.   Speaking of Tire Mountain, I didn't actually make it to the top as the trail was in really bad shape for the last 1/2 miles.  Many a downed trees but some amazing flowers and views along the way. 

Where is the fox off to next?