We thought today would be the day of our "farewell" to the BBC, but Sam said he would come in next Monday for for out group coffee.  When we arrived, some of the cases that were filled with sweets were already gone and Sam had set out the last of his scones and cookies for us to have with our coffee.  It's going to be hard to replace this spot, it had enough room for all of us to gather, tables for us and the guys could even have their own table.  We loved the windows and the accessibility of no stairs and the windows where we could see our friends heading in for coffee. We felt so bad when the Sherwood Coffee Shop closed and we were so excited when the BBC came, in fact it was even better than what we had.  Sam made so inviting with his hospitality.   But now Sherwood's loss will be McMinnville's gain.  The Velvet Monkey is moving in on Third St.  I'm sure there will be a field trip in there to try out their tea.  This is their web site, so when you are out there visiting the Mactrackers, stop in and say hi to Sam.  
Today we had another treat, Megan (Linda's daughter) was visiting from Boston.  It's so nice when we have a chance to meet the children of our walkers.  We hear so much about them it's nice to finally see them face to face.

Great time of the year to walk through those neighborhoods near Laurelhurst.  You just look at those homes and think .... if only ... 
The wisteria was out in full bloom and you could catch a wiff of them as you strolled through the neighborhoods.  Good choice for a walk, Barb.
We decided to go down some of the side streets that paralleled Burnside, so we really had a treat.  The weather prediction was cloudy, but we did get some sun, and Sunday didn't turn out to be a bad weather day at all. 

We had a little over 30 walkers show up today to walk our revised REI walk. Dave and Anita were the two people that I knew were new to our walks, and there were a few other new faces.  We brought the box with the books today and we were surprised we sold a New Walker packet and 3 other event/distance books.  I think that's something we might remember to bring along with us to the group walks. Joe was able to help us figure out why the walk was a bit long, so again, we will be revising the walk, but it is nice not going down Boones Ferry Road.  Thankfully we are all volunteers and we don't get paid for this job!  It was probably the best part of the day.  It got pretty warm and the sun was out for all of the walk and didn't disappear till we headed home.  Of course, since it was Joann's birthday on Wednesday, we headed over to Famous Dave's for the free birthday treat. 
Rita sent this video along and I thought I would pass it along to you too!
Finding Portland 
You will be amazed at how places you will recognize because we have walked by them on a walk.
Tomorrow is a walk in the Belmont/Hawthorn area.  See you there at 10 a.m.  

WOW - Twenty Years -  Congratulations!

Three groups started the walks on different paths and then we all converged at Crystal Springs at the same time.  Boy, I don't think we could do that again even if we tried.  Dick got the walk down to a short 10k, and Joe took his down as well.  We Snails decided to just drive over to the Gardens and then we walked around Reed College after.  Lunch was different for almost everyone.  One group always heads over to the Jade for Thai Food, then a couple with to Harvest Bread for their wonderful sandwiches and soups, and we headed back to Otto's for even more sausages.  We were a little disappointed that they didn't have any of the chicken apple, but we all munched on the pork, chicken and their hot dogs. 
The Gardens were in bloom, so if you haven't had a chance to get down there yet, get there soon.  Because of the flowers we have so many pictures that I putting the rest of the pictures (all of the flowers and stuff) in the web album listed under the Pictures Tab. 

Check out the new video from Kaiser featuring our own Merrywalkers, Joe and Karen Kelly.  If you look closely you will see Barb and Dick Baker on one of their trips and then the Astoria Bridge Walk, and there you can spot Anila and Nare Shaw and Kathy Enders.  Can you find anyone else?

In two weeks, everyone can join the Snails for our new Year Round Walk (Walk On the Wild Side).  When your done with your walk, come and join us for coffee.  It starts on May 6th and you can pick up your map and stamp your book at the YMCA.  We are out there every Monday at 9 a.m., so we are looking foward to seeing all of our fellow volkswalkers.
The habitat is changing every day and it is gearing up for summer. The eagles are out there, as well as finches, red wing black birds, and hopefully the egrets will get there by summer.  The flowers should be starting to really bloom in the prairie in a couple of weeks, so you can start enjoying what we enjoy every week.
Next week is our last week at the BBC, and then we will be moving over to a new place, which is still to be determined, but we do have some ideas.  The Snails will all be looking forward to meeting you.

What a better way to spend Earth Day, then being out on a walk.  We didn't have a lot that showed up, but everyone was enthusiastic.  Rose even came prepared in her Rosie the River shirt (which she actually got in DC).  As everyone was gathering to take off, Joann, Mary Ann and I decided to do the same walk we did a few weeks ago, right through Officer's Row.  Our newest Merrywalker, headed out with the 10k walkers, so we were able to really just meander through the park and Milo and such a great time just running in the fields.
Well after it was so nice and warm, Joann and Mary Ann decided on the Island Cafe.  We lucked out, they just opened for the season yesterday, but we had to wait for 16 people before us to be seated.  
Well, and this is for Julia.  Mary Ann chose the Lobster Wrap, which was in a whole wheat wrap, that actually tasted better than the lobster rolls in Maine.  So the next time the Albany Fitwalkers do a walk near Jantzen Beach, you gotta stop there.