The walkers from down south met us at Albertson's today for the 10k walk/5k walk.  Well, some of the walkers got screwed up on the directions to Albertson's because they were not updated on the AVA web site, Kathy was there to monitor her box and ended up 1 minute too late for the group picture, Leroy didn't get any cookies, Nancy came 6 minutes late and missed all of us (but we waited for her), Julia lost her 10k walkers and walked with Carolyn, not realizing both of them had different maps, but outside of that, it didn't rain and the decorations were lovely.

Pete sent this to us and we just had to post it!

Ruth was in the 7K walk group and that was the only group that trudged through the mud.  Boy am I glad we missed that spot!

It looked like it was going to pour, but we didn't get a drop of rain on the 45 walkers that showed up for the Wednesday Walk.  We had a couple of problems with the cameras today.  Starr dropped her camera but it turned out to be fine and mine, the memory card wasn't stuck in the whole way, so I just got a birthday shot.  Thankfully we don't get paid to do this!
We tried out the new 7k option.  Some of the group did the part by the boat docks, and that was very muddy, but the rest of it looked good.  The plum trees are in full bloom and the apple trees are blooming.  We saw a saucer magnolia that had so many buds on it, I might just have to get back there when I have that stupid memory card in all the way.  Oh well, enjoy the pictures we have.  We did have 3 birthdays at Macaroni Grill so we were all able to munch on wonderful chocolate cake.  I knew Jean and JIm, but who is the third birthday person?

Well the one thing we saw out at the Refuge today that we hadn't seen for a long time was THE SUN!  Wow, and it felt wonderful.  Everyone started stripping off their heavy coats and just enjoyed the sunshine.  The screech owl was back in his favorite tree, but up one branch.  And now getting a bit fancy, have you ever wondered what they sound like? http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Megascops-kennicottii-1.mp3
So, after the Refuge I headed downtown to do some gathering of Easter gifts for our Hunt and there it was, the big sign. OPEN FOR COFFEE.  We have one of of the coffee shops that opened.  The BBC (Black Bird Coffee) - not British Broadcasting Company.  I was so excited I headed back to Target to gather the others, but they were already done with their coffee.  So I had to head back there this afternoon just to check it out.  I sat with our resident historian, Clyde, in their new meeting room.  It was cool!  Our old spot is filled with couches and chairs.  They don't have the punch cards yet, but they are on their way.  The first of two coffee places and right on time for our Easter Egg Hunt Walk!  "I'm So Excited"  Symposium should be open this week too.  My gosh, we will have to run back and forth and we will be so high on caffine!!!!!!
But here is something else that is really cool.
Check this site out Decorah Eagles
It's a 24 hour web cam located in Iowa showing an eagle in her nest.  I tried it one time and it wasn't clear, but today, again, another WOW!  

As I'm putting this stuff on I can hear the hail beating against the windows.  I am so glad we got the walk done this morning.  I don't have the numbers yet, but there seemed to be a lot of people out there.  We did the 7k walk, which was just perfect.  At the checkpoint we stopped for coffee and then finished our walk up with lunch at McGrath's.  A bit of excersize , good food, and good friends, and it just doesn't get much better than that!  Good job Samantha!

10k-What a fun walk!  Over 150 walkers enjoyed fellow walkers, furry friends &  flowers blooming all over today!  The trail was marked so well you didn't need the directions. Our favorite part was through the park with the little poem challenge for us!  We also enjoyed the trail through the wetlands...hearing all the birds and seeing the flocks of Geese fly overheard, so much beauty. What a nice idea to collect Teddy Bears for the Sheriff's department too.  Thank you for the effort & hard work to give us another great walk.   --Starr

OH JANE, I LOVED IT!!! what crazy weather...sun, hail,rain and sun, when I finally finished and got in the car, the skies opened up and it just poured all the way home. Nothing better then Spring
Break for the kids, and all the crazy weather, only in Oregon. I couldnt find McMennamins, but saw the arrows, parked across the street and on the way back, found it, everything works out! Hopeto see you Mon. for coffee. CHERYL  

The walk went through some beautiful neighborhoods and we loved looking at the  homes.  We even saw one that had a cow in the back, some unusual fountains and statues, but there was one on Burton that was absolutely gorgeous.  We had to call on it.  It was huge with a big gate in front of it.  Well the guy called me this afternoon and the price was $2.4 million and there was an offer on it and if that one fell through, there was someone else that was waiting to put in an offer.  6,500 sq. ft., 2 acres, swimming pool, carriage house and 5-car garage.  It was fantastic.
We had some beautiful weather out there as well today and it looks like that might be the best weather we will see in the near future.  It sounds like next Wednesday we might hit the first 60-degree day.  
OH, WELCOME HOME, Anila and Nare!

We didn't see much out there today, but it still felt like spring.  The path was mushy in some parts but not as bad as it was over the holidays.  After we headed over to Target for or coffee fix where Mike came an showed us his new car.  A brand new Versa with all of the bells and whistles.  Bright red and it looks gorgeous.

We were able to do our new 5k walk in the new Wilsonville Park today.  15 people showed up, 9 of us were Merrywalkers.  How do you like Rudy and Quincy checking each other out?  I think we were able to figure out that it should be rated at least a 2 because of one big hill.  We couldn't figure out what the yellow flower was, so if any of you know, let us know. (Note from Sandy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caltha_palustris)
Ed and Joe took off and did the regular 10k walk, while the rest of us took off and did the new walk that Sandy designed which goes through the park and along the river.  She put in some new twists and turns so the 10k walkers were able to try it out as well.  
Sorry about the Fruit Valley.  I heard Fruit and I right away thought of Fruit Loop!