A sunny birthday hike

So it is still oddly sunny for January in the Pacific Northwest.  Since it is not snowing, we went for a hike instead ls snowshoeing.  It was a beautiful day!   

First stop was a large waterfall.  

From there we climbed to some great views of the Columbia River Gorge.   That big rock behind me off in the distance is about where we started our hike.  

The higher we got, the further the views.....

We finally reached the top and had a great view of Mt Adams.  

It was a beautiful day, a great hike, and a fantastic way to spend my birthday.  

Birthday mail

I was working in the kitchen this afternoon cutting up some vegetables for my salad tonight.  It's a big night for my friend Drunk Fox. He is celebrating 5 years sober...I guess I won't have any wine with dinner tonight.

As Drunk Fox and I were chatting about the good- -old-days my roommates stopped by and dropped off the mail.  Guess what?  It was a letter from Ajdin.

I like the stamp too, phlox rhymes with Fox can't go wrong with that.  

I opened up the letter and what a surprise, it was a card with a drawing in it. Ajdin I did not know you were such a good artist.  

I don't know if you can see or not but there I am on a hill with a flag that says LF. I wonder where I can get a flag like that?  Then on the other side is Ajdin thinking about fish.  Thanks for custom art work and card. I hope 2014 is treating you well. 

Little Fox. 

Christmas friends getting ready for storage.

As all Christmas stuffies know there comes a time in January when it is time to start thinking of going back into storage. I gathered my friends for one last dinner before they go into storage to grill them on what they do during the rest of the year.  Interestingly they stuffed up when I asked them what they do, I guess it's a secret only Christmas stuffies know.  

In search of snow....

It's been a quiet Winter so far in my neck of the woods (sorry Jerry and Ben I bet it's really cold out in your area).  Ajdin, is your area affected by the large snowstorm the news keeps talking about?  If anyone needs extra hot chocolate let me know, I will break into the emergency stockpile.


I thought I better be more pro-active in my snow adventures this year so my roommates and I took a trip out Central Oregon to find some snow.  Look, I see snow, it seems far away but I bet I can hike there.

 I wanted a better view (and picture), so why not climb this tree.  It was worth it, although my roommate says I look like I have altitude sickness and can't sit up straight.  I think I look very relaxed myself. 

I like this picture below, it's my first attempt at a self portrait, I think I  look very dashing.  My roommates just rolled their eyes.  

Snow!  Lots and lots of it.  Now, if I can only find another stuffie to have a snowball fight with. 

Time to relax at home.  Hmm, what is the dark red drink, is it wine?  Yes, I am sure my roommates won't mind if I have a sip or two or three.  They are too busy watching the fire and football game.

 It's the next morning, I wonder if I sit and stare out the window if my roommates will get a move on it to the next hike?

It worked (I will have to remember that trick in the future).  We are off to a park near the river, not as much snow on the ground but lots of ice on the river.   

I think I made the smart move and slept the rest of the way home after consuming lots of hot tea with honey (trying to branch out from Hot Chocolate).  I think you bears are onto something with this honey you like soooo much.  To my pals back East and in the Midwest, stay warm!

-Little Fox.

Surprise in the mail.

It was a quiet day since my both of my roommates went to work this morning. I have been used to them being home the last couple of days.  I decided to take a beary long nap and woke up when the mail arrived. What a surprise to see a card from Canada. I wonder who it could be from....Sandy perhaps?  Yippee, it is a card from Sandy!   It looks he has been busy: playing hockey, hiking, and visiting Beanie.  Thanks for the card.

Waterfall Hike

Mt. Hood hasn't gotten much snow lately so to burn off some Christmas calories I decided to go hiking in the Gorge.  I am a little leary of this trail, the sign at the visitor center said there would be ice, but I haven't seen any yet.  I'll be careful.

This is supposed to be a steep hike.  I wonder if I can hitch a ride from my roommate?

Success!  There was room for me in the side pocket, looks like I am going to get a free ride up the hill. 

Lots of places for me to rest along the way. The water was running fast and loud  today. 

Trail junction, I have never been to Devil's Rest before, but I have been to Angel's Rest (it's nearby).  When I am really good my roommates take me to the Foxglove way trail, it's close to Angel's Rest.  Now that I think about it, I have only been to Foxglove way once, I wonder if I have only been good once?  Nah, nevermind there are more waterfalls to see. 

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My roommate says the waterfall on the left feeds into the waterfall on the right.  The waterfalls are moving fast today.  I saw lots of people on the trail but no ice or snow. Not bad for December.   Happy New Year. 

Happy Boxing Day!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy boxing day.  I am still trying to learn more about the holiday, in my house we usually go shopping but I am sure there is more to it than that.