I put this picture also up under the picture tab listed as 2009 Christmas so you can see the big version. 
Boy, we've sure had an fun and very interesting year. 
We've grown to over 40 members. We've hosted 3 walks, Cruisin', Parrett Mountain and Lake Oswego. We've hit most all of the events from Amity to Vancouver.  Wednesday walking as become one of our favorites as well as the Sunday guided walks.   We've walked in the Rose Parade.  We've been to Ocean Shores for an event, we've walked walks in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Chicago.  We've had picnics, guest speakers and the nicest thing that happened, along the way we became friends.  The Snails was a plus this year and just added to our family of friends.  Thank you for making this such a great Christmas.-----Jane, Mary Ann, Lou Ann and Mike

Bill, Russ and Sandra turned up for the walk.  Mary Rose came, but a bit later and we had already started.  We walked to the end and saw the many geese flocking to the water and is there a lot of water.  Most of the ponds are the fullest we've ever seen them.  The frogs that used to hang out at the small pond must have moved to another spot on the Refuge, we heard them in the middle of our walk.  It was pretty wet out there, but it did dry out eventually.  We headed back to the coffee shop where we were able to meet up with the others: Mary Rose, Barb, Barb ll, Mary Ann, Pam, Pam ll.  We had a full table and it was filled with Christmas spirit! 

Starr added these pictures and you can find them in our albums.  Looked like it was a great walk.  Thanks.

I guess when you have a chance to choose a walk, make sure you don't take one that is rated a #2 after you did a 20k on Saturday.  Being the leader, I came in dead last, and that was how I felt, dead.  After we did the walk and got back in the car, the walk didn't seem too bad.  It was really beautiful out in Forest Park.  It was muddy, but the waterfalls were full and gushing through and the plant life was a vivid green.  We had 2 other Merrywalkers out there, Cheryl and Leslie, plus Angela joined us as well.  There were actually 4 more walkers, but I would say they took off at a much quicker pace, we leisurely made our way through the Aspen Trail.  

We were treated with 3 great walks yesterday.  The annual boat walk in Portland hosted by CRVC and then the Longview day and night walk.  Some of the walkers were able to do walks at both places or at least one walk in Washington and then the next in Portland.  Starr was able to provide the pictures for the Portland Boat Walk and Angela and I decided to do both of the walks up in Longview.  All of the pictures are in our albums, so take a look and see who was out there walking and enjoying the holidays.

With the weather being so unfavorable, we didn't do Christmas at the Fort.  I did head down to Portland for the Tuba Christmas.  What a delight.  So far I've had hot chocolate under the Christmas tree at Marshall Fields, watched the Rockettes at Rockefeller Center and saw the Eiffel Tower light up for the holidays, and I would put the Tuba Christmas right up there.  It was great. http://www.kgw.com/video/featured-videos/Tuba-Christmas-2009-at-Pioneer-Square-79181187.html
Later that day we headed out to the Aladdin to see the Trail Band.  There were 7 Merrywalkers + Angela.  We gathered first for some shopping at the German store and headed over to the Lamp Restaurant, which was located right in the theater.  They had the best burgers and the concert was fantastic, as usual, especial the story of the Nativity.  Then to wind up the weekend, Carolyn, Leslie and myself, headed down to Portland Nursery for our wreath making.  I thought we all did a fine job, don't you?  After reading the best hot chocolates in Portland, we headed over to Pix Patisserie to try them out.  It was so rich that you almost needed a spoon to drink it.  Can't wait to try the rest of them.  Maybe next week after the Sunday walk we can try the one out next door to the Heathman.  Maybe we'll see you there! http://www.pixpatisserie.com/

It was cold, but there was no wind.  We didn't have a lot of walkers, but everyone who came enjoyed the lights and the pizza.  While the "Snails" held down the fort at the registration and finish, and Angela, Tammy and the Baby did the checkpoint, the rest of the 80 walkers were out there enjoying all of the sites of Christmas.  Kathy at Westlake Gifts gave all of the walkers a candy cane plus a coupon for 10% discount on anything we bought, so some of us even got a little shopping done.  She said she would still honor the coupon if you wanted to do the walk later, just come in with the directions.  The checkpoint was at Pizza Schmizza, and instead of having just a Christmas party for the Merrywalkers, we invited the rest of the walkers.  A lot of people put in a lot of effort to make one of these events take off and be successful.  You can't do it with just one person, it takes a group.  So if you enjoyed the walk, let us know.  I'm sure the map-maker would be happy to know his map was good, the guided walk people were friendly, the "Snails" were able to handle any questions, I'm sure they would love to have a comment or two.  It was great fun and we were lucky the weather was good. Check out the pictures!

Check out the FAQS/LINKS tab.  We've added some new things plus an update on Laura Foster.  She is keeping the Merrywalkers informed of her new books.  Check it out.

Everyone was bundled up so we were prepared for the cold.  We had 7 walkers, including myself.  Two of the walkers finished the 11k, but the rest of us opted out for a shorter route and went to Famous Dave's for lunch.  The only picture I took was the one above, and then the batteries died, but Dick should be sending me some soon.  Heidi and I talked about our 2 walks coming up this weekend and wondered how the weather would effect both of them.  She designed the walk for Christmas at the Fort and did say you could use the National Park passes to get in and you would be able to also get in 3 others for free on the pass.  Hopefully it will just be cold and no ice, but it was amazing how many little patches of ice we saw out there today and there hasn't even been any precipitation.  The next couple of weeks should be fun walking and getting us into the Christmas spirit.  Christmas Lights, Christmas at the Fort, Albany Old Fashioned Christmas, Sellwood at Christmas, the Christmas Boats and then a walk to see the homes near Washington Park.  A great season to get out there and explore.

A great way to start the holiday season.  Carol Reed, from the Cedarmilers, introduced us to this tea a couple of years ago.  This year we had a mix of Merrywalkers and Cedarmilers at the tea and Karen from McMinnville.  We had three tables and we all enjoyed our holiday "tradition."  We've grown from one table to three.  Check out the rest of the pictures.