January, cold, windy, wet, snowy...right?  Well not on this last Wednesday in January! Today was overcast but the wind was slight, the rain disappeared and the temperatures were a balmy 40 degree range.
This was Ed Hainline's walk, he showed up at 9:30am, and there was already walkers waiting for him. All wanted to get there early and not miss any of the updates or start. It was so much fun to see the walkers just keep coming...we kind of overtook the McDonald's lobby but the clerks still were smiling. I think a little relived that we weren't all ordering. For the first time I thought the 5K group, which Joe Titone lead today, just might have more walkers that the 10K... It was close but out of the 42 walkers that signed in 24 were in the 10k group lead by Dick Baker.
I'd like to say a, SPECIAL THANK YOU to ED HAINLINE, DICK BAKER AND JOE TOTINE.  These men deserve a lot more for the dedication, hard work and all the effort that goes into creating and leading these walks for us. Please say Thank You to them the next time you see them.
The walk today was through some beautiful neighborhoods, around the magnificent Later Day Saint's Temple and on paths with spectacular ferns. tiny plants  and moss in every lush shade of green imaginable. We enjoyed the art work, exercise and the natural high you get while out walking with people who love to walk!      

     

Valley Volkswalkers had an event in Gladstone this Saturday and it truly was a "HAPPY WALK". There were over 180 walkers who came from all over to enjoy this delightful planned walk. A downtown 5K that had a charm all it's own past a barber shop, library, city hall, police & fire station. Then another 5K that took us through a rural neighborhood and on the recently completed Milwaukie Oak Grove Trolley Trail. It was enjoyable to pass other walkers, say, Hi or just smile and "BE HAPPY" doing what we all love, WALKING!   A very special, Thank You  to the Valley Volkssport club for a special event walk that was marked well and was planned out for us to enjoy all this   

OK, this is my third attempt to get this post up!  So here goes... Today's  walk started out of Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. As we all gathered and signed in there was a women playing the piano. Who would have thought we would have such beautiful  music to listen too?  Dick Baker and Joe Titone lead both groups today. We sure do appreciate both of these men for the time, effort and enthusiasm. Next time you get a chance say, THANK YOU to them!
Most of this walk is on the campus of WSU with spectacular views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helen's on clear days. We didn't get to see much of either of them today, but maybe the next time, as this is a beautiful walk worthy of a second time around.
The 10K walk goes past stately architecture, ponds, meadows, over Mill Creek on a wooden bridge, through wetlands and even past a historic pioneer cabin site. We had a chance to view some wildlife too!
After the walk some of the walkers meet for lunch at Billygan's Roadhouse for a little more social time and great food.   If you haven't joined the Wednesday walking group your missing out on some great walks, exercise, and the opportunity to meet  some really nice and interesting people. Your welcome to join either of the groups so come on andwalk with us...one step at a time!         

HISTORIC IRVINGTON WALK  --- YRE # 1693         Sponsored by CRVC                  What better place to gather on a cold January day than at a Starbucks!  That's the start point for this wonderful historic city walk. The walk takes you on streets and sidewalks through grand old neighborhoods. The trees are enormous and the houses are like mansions out of Gone With The Wind. The  fog was drifting through the air and creating fascinating visions for our eyes to enjoy. There were spider webs, ice formations clinging to bare branches of bushes or just the mist floating by. Then, here somes the sun!  Everything started to sparkle as the sun made all of nature glisen. Another fun part of this walk is going through, in and around the inside of the Lloyd Center...it was fun to watch everyone watching us as we paraded through... you could tell they wondered what we were up to. There is so much to do on this walk make sure and check it out. I'm sure there is something special of each walker. 

Today's walk was a East County Wind Walker YRE but we were lucky because there wasn't any wind. The temperatures were still on the chilly side, in the 30's but everyone was prepared and ready to go. Regina meet us at the start point, Dick took our group photo and we were off. Dick leading the 10KM group and Joe leading the 5 KM group,  a special "Thank You" to both of our leaders! This walk takes you by the retail stores of Mall 205, around the neighborhoods and to a beautiful memory garden. This garden is for Alzheimer's victims and is one of only eight in the US, an out and back that is well worth the time. This walk has shops, parks, neighborhoods and an enjoyable way to get a fun walk in...enjoy life one step at a time!!!      

Garrison Square Starbucks in Vancouver was where the group of walker's gathered this chilly Saturday morning. A smaller group than usual but none the less ready to tackle the cool temperature's that was in the low 30's...Burrr!
Burt lead the 10 group and Joe was with the 5 KM group... Thank You both!
Annette was back from her six week trip and we even had a walker who drove up from Eugene...in his Corvette!  Talk about a ride, funny I can remember his car but not his name...oops!  Help me out Ed!  Everyone seemed to enjoy the neighborhood's and fun mail boxes!