THE ROAMER CALENDAR CLUB NEWS MARCH-APRIL Rose City Roamers Walking Club Newsletter. 20th AVA Biennial Convention

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1 THE ROAMER MARCH-APRIL 2017 Rose City Roamers Walking Club Newsletter AVA Member CALENDAR Apr 4 7pm Apr 5 May 3 6pm June 6 7pm Club Meeting CLUB NEWS CLUB MEETING Lower level Patio Room National Walking Day walk Oregon City Board Meeting Portland Adventist Hospital Pavilion Club Meeting Lower level Ed Rm B Our next club meeting will be on April 4 at Adventist Health s Lower level Patio Room (near cafeteria) 2017 Winter Walk to Win Contest Extended Due to bad weather in January, the 2017 Winter Walk to Win Contest has been extended through April. When: January 1 through April 30, 2017 Further information, contest rules and log sheets may be found on Walkoregon.org under Contest, Documents and Due Dates. Washington State s Winter Walk contest may be found on the same page. NATIONAL WALKING DAY GUIDED WALK Rose City Roamers is again sponsoring a guided walk for a special Oregon City celebration of National Walking Day, sponsored by Pioneer Community Center and Healthnet. At the start Health Net will have snacks and water bottles and other items as giveaways. This walk will have two 5K loop options This walk will 20th AVA Biennial Convention Stepping Out of Bounds in Billings The American Volkssport Association is America s Walking Club. Every two years the membership gathers together to conduct the business of the organization. Come join us June 7th to 9th, 2017, in Billings, Montana! There are 47 miles of trails in Billings, with over 7 miles along the Yellowstone River. A stretch of trail along the Rimrocks has fantastic views of the mountains beyond. On a clear day, five mountain ranges can be seen. Billings has 39 city parks, and more than 500 geocache treasures in the city alone! The Yellowstone River is the longest free-flowing river in the United States. The downtown brewery tour will be incorporated into one of our sanctioned events. The Western Heritage Center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Yellowstone Art Museum was originally the Yellow Continued on page 3

2 YEAR ROUND WALKS (YREs) PORTLAND Clackamas MT TALBERT NATURE PARK Start: DAYS INN MOTEL 9717 SE Sunnyside Rd. Contact: Judy D., PORTLAND North HISTORIC ST. JOHNS, SWAN ISLAND-UNIV PORTLAND Start: WEST COAST HEALTH & FITNESS 7522 N. Lombard St. Contact: Sue C., PORTLAND Northwest DOWNTOWN LANDMARKS, FOUR PARKS, Start: LEGACY GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL 1015 NW 22nd Avenue Contact: Sue C., Parking validation pass or fee required. PORTLAND Southeast REED COLLEGE, CRYSTAL SPRINGS GARDENS Safeway Customer Service 4600 SE Woodstock Blvd Contact: John H., LAKE OSWEGO LAKE OSWEGO-LO RIVER RUN, Start: Albertson s Store SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd. Contact: Ed H., TUALATIN Hedges Creek Start: Starbucks at Hedges Creek 8639 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road Tualatin, OR Contact: Joe K, PORTLAND-Northeast HAWTHORNE -LADD S ADDITION-AND PARKS Start: STARBUCKS COFFEE 3639 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Contact: Susan T PORTLAND Northeast TUALATIN Three Cities, Three Parks Start: REI - Tualatin 7410 SW Bridgeport Road Tigard, OR Contact: Joe K, HOLLYWOOD,-LLOYD CENTER, HIGHLIGHTS- HAWTHORNE LAURELHURST AREA Start: PROVIDENCE PORTLAND 4805 NE Glisan St. Contact: John H., PORTLAND Southwest TRYON CREEK STATE PARK Start: TRYON CREEK STATE PARK SW Terwilliger Blvd. Contact: John H.,

3 WEDNESDAY WALKS (Group Walks) ***walks begin at 10 a.m. with lunch about 2 hours afterwards (unless noted otherwise) *** ***These walks are cancelled If there is snow or ice on the sidewalks. We normally the list when this happens.*** The blue YRE nnn is a link you can click to get directions and more information about the walk. 3/22/17 10:00 AM Fit for Life, 5640 Hood St, West Linn YRE 442 West Linn rated 1A Linn City Pub, Willamette Dr, (2 mile drive) 3/29/17 10:00 AM Mt Hood Medical Center, SE Stark, Gresham YRE 1482 Walt Morey rated 1A in main entrance Bumpers Grill and Bar, NE Halsey St, Fairrview (short drive) 4/5/17 9:30 AM (note earlier start time) Pioneer Adult Community Center, 615 5th St, Oregon City Event: National Walking Day R\rated 2A Rivershore Grill, 1900 Clackamette Dr (2 mile drive) 4/12/17 10:00 AM sign in at Starbucks, 8302 E Mill Plain, Vancouver then park at 8000 E Mill Plain in the parking lot YRE-116 Heights rated 1A Smokehouse Provisions, 8052 E Mill Plain Av 4/19/17 10:00 AM Starbucks at Hedges Green, 8639 SW Tualatin Sherwood Rd, Tualatin, OR YRE 1431 Hedges Creek rated 1A Hayden's Lakefront Grill, 8187 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Rd (near finish) 4/26/17 10:00 AM Safeway, 401 A Ave, Lake Oswego YRE 1609 Lake, River, & Homes Rated 2B Manzana Rotisserie Grill, 305 First St (near finish) 5/3/17 10:00 AM Fishers Landing Fred Meyer, SE McGillivray Blvd, Vancouver YRE 1017 rated 1A Vanc Tech Center Park East entrance - Garden area Makoto Japanese Buffet, 1119 S 163rd Place, Vancouver (1/2 km away) 5/10/17 10:00 AM Tualatin Hill Rec - Athletic Center, 50 NW 158th, Beaverton YRE 1439 rated 1B Boardwalk end of lobby on right Sweet Tomatoes, 1225 NW Waterhouse Ave 5/17/17 10:00 AM Holiday Inn Express, 75 82nd Drive, Gladstone, OR YRE 695 rated 2A start box at front desk TBD 5/24/17 10:00 AM Good Sam Medical Center, 1015 NW 22nd Ave, Portland, OR YRE 410 rated 2A Landmark left at entrance Bridgeport Brewery, 1313 NW Marshall (1 km from finish) 5/31/17 10:00 AM La Center Market Place, 419 E Cedar Ave, La Center YRE 1540 rated 2B Town & Wetlands behind counter in window La Center Market Place, 419 E Cedar Ave, La Center stone County jail, built in 1884 ($5 admission). Continued from page 1 A great big Thank You to everyone. We have booked all 200 rooms at the 20th AVA Biennial Convention hotel, the Red Lion Hotel and Convention Center, Billings. We were unable to accommodate everyone who wished to stay there, so either make arrangements with your favorite hotel chain, or check out hotels close to the convention center for their available rooms. We are recommending you drive. However, if you fly, please be aware there is no transportation configured to get to the pre-convention events or the post-convention events. I am in process of setting up a car pool schedule site so those folks with rentals or just driving can help out anyone that needs a ride. I will post the information here and update in the convention newsletter. If you are flying in, Billings Logan International Airport services the following airlines: Allegiant, Alaska, Delta, Cape Air, United. It is also served by the following rental car companies: Enterprise, Thrifty, Dollar, Hertz, National, Alamo, Avis and Budget. If you only need to get to the convention hotel, they offer free pickup at the airport - just call If you are staying at one of the other hotels in town, contact them to see if they provide free pick up from the airport. Registration is open until April 30th. It will be available online through the walk Oregon web site. Be sure to check out the Volunteer tab as well, we have many areas that need your help.

4 TRADITIONAL WALK EVENTS (Club sponsored walks) 4/1/2017-4/1/2017 Newport, OR Event Name: No Fooling! Its Flat! Guided Walk Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10K 5K - 1B Description: The first of two Guided walks this weekend in wonderful Eastern Oregon. You'll walk on streets with and without sidewalks and some pathways. From the very nice Visitor Center, we'll do an out-and-back short walk across the Columbia River, in both Umatilla and Benton Counties. The longer walk will continue through the town, a park, pass by the High School, and return to the Center. Other sites in the area for visiting include the McNary Wildlife Nature area, just below the McNary Dam. Check out the walk on Sunday in Irrigon; make it a weekend! Strollers: medium Wheelchairs: Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Amenities: Strollers: medium Wheelchairs: medium Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Special Programs: boardwalks, Bridges - Spanning the USA, Honoring Our Flag, Walking America's Ports of Call Start Times: 10am Location: South Beach State Park Start Point / Driving Directions: Awards & Fees: IVV Credit Only Comments: Host Club: Yachats Coastal Gems Volkssport Club Contact: Maryann Brown (541) Website: No Website Listed Contact: maryannbrown_1999@yahoo.com 4/8/2017-4/8/2017 Umatilla, OR Event Name: Eastern Oregon: Walking Together U&I Guided Walk Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10/5 K - 1A Description: Border Crossings, Bridges - Spanning the USA, Honoring Our Flag, Lakes and Reservoirs, Points of Reference, Take a Walk In a City Park, Walk the USA - Street by Street, Walking America's Ports of Call Start Times: Sign in: 12:30 pm Walk starts: 1 pm Location: Umatilla Visitor Center Start Point / Driving Directions: 100 Cline Ave. Umatilla, OR From East/West on I-84, head to I-82 and head North to Exit 1. Following signs at light to Visitor Center. From the North, use I-82 from Yakima or Tri-Cities. Cross the Columbia and take Exit 1. Follow signs to Visitor Center. Awards & Fees: IVV Credit Only Comments: Water and Restrooms at Visitor Center start only. AVA: All but two are on the 5k. The 10k includes the City Park challenge and Walk the USA - Street by Street (Quincy - WA, MA, IL, CA) WOC: 10k Auditorium, Bank, City Hall, Engines, High School, Library, Museum, Watering Hole, Waterways. ESVA: Restaurants (American, Mexican) WTT (School, Vow, Death) Host Club: Cedar Milers Contact: Dan Webster (503) Website: No Website Listed Contact: 2008cedarmilers@gmail.com

5 5/7/2017-5/7/2017 Gervais, OR ARE YOU FROM SMALL TOWN AMERICA? Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10K/5K - 1A - 1A Description: Strolling through Small Town Amercia, walking on city streets and some sidewalks, passing the Old and New High School, Post Office and two City Parks. Option will be to walk to the Historic Sam Brown House that was a stage coach stop. NO RE- STROOMS at the start. Amenities: Strollers: medium Wheelchairs: medium Pets: Yes Restrooms: No Special Programs: Honoring Our Flag, Take a Walk In a City Park, United States Post Offices, Volcanoes Start Times: 9 AM TO NOON FINISH BY 3 PM Location: Gervais City Hall Start Point / Driving Directions: 524 4th St., From I-5 Northbound Exit #263 (Brooks) turn RIGHT on Brooklake Rd NE to Brooks then LEFT on HWY 99E to Gervais. LEFT at stop light on Douglas Ave./Mt. Angel/Gervais Rd. to RIGHT on 4th St. to City Hall parking in rear. Southbound take I-5 to Exit #271 (Woodburn) turn RIGHT on Hwy 219 towards Newberg at the first right hand sharp curve turn LEFT on Butteville Rd. which turns into Ivy Ave as you enter Gervais. Cross railroad tracks turn RIGHTon 4th St. to 524 4th St. Gervais City hall. Parking in the rear of building. Awards & Fees: B Award Comments: NO RESTROOMS at the Start. Several restrooms available along the trail. Lunch is available at the school for $11.00 from 11am to 3pm includes1/2 of a BBQ chicken (this is a different BBQ without the sauce it is smoked salt BBQ cooked over briquettes. The BBQ has been going on for over 50 years in Gervais. Pets permitted, but NOT in building(s).owners responsible for leash and clean up laws. Host Club: Valley Volkswalkers Contact: B L Cline (503) Website: valleyvolkswalkers@yahoo.com Contact: Valleyvolkswalkers@yahoo.com Shady Cove, OR Blue Grotto Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10K, 5K - 3B Description: The walk to the grotto is fairly easy. The trail is on the other side of the lake. This is an in and out trail approximately 15 miles from the Edgewater Inn, cross the Peyton Bridge and turn left at Lewis Road. Drive 1 miles to the trail head (restrooms). Amenities: Strollers: NO Wheelchairs: NO Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Special Programs: Thisvent doesn't have any special Programs assigned. Start Times: 9:00am to 1:00pm, Finish by 4:00pm Start Point / Driving Directions: Convention room at the Edgewater Inn, 7800 Rogue River Drive, Shady Cove, OR. Take Exit 30 off I- 5 to Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) to Shady Cove. The Inn is about 2 miles from the town line on the left just past the bridge. Comments: Water and restroom will be at the Start/Finish. Pets are permitted, but NOT in the building. Owners are responsible for leash and cleanup of their pets. Credit only is $ non-credit participants are welcome. All must register, carry and return start card. Shady Cove, OR View Point Mike Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10K - 3C Description: Great hike to incredible views of the Rogue Valley. All natural trail surfaces and healthy elevations. This is an out and back trail. 9 1/4 miles from Edgewater Inn. Amenities: Strollers: NO Wheelchairs: NO Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Start Times: 9:00am to 1:00pm, Finish by 4:00pm Start Point / Driving Directions: Convention room at the Edgewater Inn, 7800 Rogue River Drive, Shady Cove, OR. Take exit 30 off I-5 to Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) to Shady Cove, the Inn is about 2 miles from the town line on the left just past the bridge. Comments: Water and restroom will be at the Start/Finish. Pets are permitted, but NOT in the building. Owners are responsible for leash and cleanup of their pets. Credit only is $ non-credit participants are welcome. All must register, carry and return start card.

6 Shady Cove, OR Dam/Rumley Creek Trail Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10K,5K - 1B Description: Walk across the Wm. L. Jess Dam for fantastic views, then the walk quickly enters the forest along Lost Creek Lake, meandering through the trees past a small waterfall. This is an out and back trail. 13 miles from the Edgewater Inn. Amenities: Strollers: NO Wheelchairs: NO Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Start Times: 9:00am to 1:00pm, Finish by 4:00pm Start Point / Driving Directions: Convention room at the Edgewater Inn, 7800 Rogue River Drive, Shady Cove, OR. Take Exit 30 off I-5 to Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) to Shady Cove. The Inn is about 2 miles from the town line on the left just past the bridge. Comments: Water and restrooms will be at the Start/Finish and along the route. Pets are permitted, but NOT in the building. Owners are responsible for leash and cleanup of their pets. Credit only is $ non-credit participants are welcome. All must register, carry and return start card. Shady Cove, OR Casey State Park Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10K, 5K - 1B Description: Paved and natural surface trails from Casey State Park through the Cole M. Rivers Fish Hatchery, one of the largest salmon and steelhead hatcheries in the US. Walk to the powerhouse of the Wm. L. Jess Dam on Lost Creek Lake. Amenities: Strollers: hard Wheelchairs: NO Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Start Times: 9:00am to 1:00pm, Finish by 4:00pm Start Point / Driving Directions: Convention room at Edgewater Inn, 7800 Rogue River Drive, Shady Cove, OR. Take exit 30 off I -5 to Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) to Shady Cove. The Inn is about 2 miles from the town line on the left, just past the bridge. Comments: Water and restrooms will be at the Start/Finish and along the route. Pets are permitted, but NOT in building. Owners are responsible for leash and cleanup of their pets. Credit only is $ non-credit participants are welcome. All must register, carry and return start card. Shady Cove, OR Rogue River Gorge Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 20K,10K - 1B Description: Walk along the wild and beautiful Rogue River as the water rushes through the gorge and lava tubes along the way. Quiet walk along the trail. This trail is a local favorite. You can do a 20 K by walking to the Woodriff Bridge and walk back to the start, or arrange with a friend to park one car at the Woodriff Bridge and drive back to the start for a 10K. Amenities: Strollers: hard Wheelchairs: NO Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Start Times: 9:00am to 1:00pm, Finish by 4:00pm Start Point / Driving Directions: Convention room at the Edgewater Inn, 7800 Rogue River Drive, Shady Cove, OR. Take Exit 30 off I-5 to Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) to Shady Cove. The Inn is about 2 miles from the town line on the left just past the bridge. Comments: Water and restroom will be at the Start/Finish. Pets are permitted, but NOT in the building. Owners are responsible for leash and cleanup of their pets. Credit only is $ non-credit participants are welcome. All must register, carry and return start card.

7 Shady Cove Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10km, 5km - 1A Description: This is a new walk this year. It is through the town of Shady Cove, along sidewalks and the shoulder of roads. Amenities: Strollers: medium Wheelchairs: medium Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Start Times: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Finish by 4:00 p.m. Start Point / Driving Directions: Convention Room at Edgewater Inn, 7800 Rogue River Drive, Shady Cove, OR. Take exit 30 off I-5 to Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) to Shady Cove. The Inn is about 2 miles from the town line, on the left, just past the bridge. Comments: Water and restroom will be at the Start/Finish. Pets are permitted, but NOT in the building. Owners are responsible for the leash and cleanup of their pets. Credit is only $3.00. Non-credit participants are welcome. All must register, carry and return start card. Shady Cove, OR Table Rock Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10km - 3C Description: This is a new walk this year. Seen from I-5, the Table Rocks are a landmark to many people passing through the Rogue Valley. You will see fantastic views atop this volcanic plateau. Over 70 species of animals and 340 species of plants, including 200 species of wildflowers call the Table Rocks home. During rainy season, vernal pools fill up, home to fairy shrimp. Elevation climb: 780 feet. A very special place and popular hike. Amenities: Strollers: NO Wheelchairs: NO Pets: No Restrooms: No Start Times: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Finish by 4:00 p.m. Start Point / Driving Directions: Convention Room at Edgewater Inn, 7800 Rogue River Drive, Shady Cove, OR. Take eit 30 off I- 5 to Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) to Shady Cove. The Inn is about 2 miles from the town line, on the left, just past the bridge. Comments: Water and restrooms will be at the Convention Center, none along the trail. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. Credit is only $3.00. Non-credit participants are welcome. All must register, cary and return start cards. 5/20/2017-5/20/2017 Brooks, OR Walk Event ID: Distance - Trail Ratings: 10k/5k - 1B Description: Walk through fields of beautiful Peony's and along road to Hosta's gardens Amenities: Strollers: hard Wheelchairs: NO Pets: Yes Restrooms: Yes Start Times: 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Location: Adelman Peony garden Start Point / Driving Directions: 5690 Brooklake rd. NE Salem from I-5 take exit 263 go east on Brooklake Rd. aprox. 2 miles follow walk signs Awards & Fees: ZZ Comments: Host Club: Albany Fitwalkers Contact: Don Reed (541) Website: albanyfitwalkers.org Contact: donreed1946@yahoo.com

8 San Antonio, Texas February 22 to March 2, 2017 On February 22 nd, I departed the nasty winter weather of Portland and headed for warmer weather of San Antonio. This was my first trip back to San Antonio in 4 years and was looking forward to seeing how it had changed while I was away. I arrived in San Antonio at 7:20pm, via a layover in Dallas Love Field airport (first time I had been back there in 32 years, sure has changed a lot in that time). When I got outside and looked around I noticed an electronic billboard and it showed the current temperature of 87 degrees. What a difference it was coming from Portland where we were lucky to be at 40 degrees or above. I got my rental car from Dollar Rentals, a 2016 Nissan Altima with a turbo 4 cylinder and it sure could move down the freeway. On my flight from Dallas to San Antonio, I sat next to a gentleman who works for the San Antonio Spurs (basketball team), Chanson Douglas, he is their Senior Account Executive (mostly takes care of the Season ticket sales), we talked on the flight about how long it had been since I saw the San Antonio Spurs play a game (back in the mid 1980 s). He said to contact him (gave me his business card) and said he could make it happen to get me into see a game, while I was in San Antonio. I thought sure, I ll believe it when and if it happens. The Spurs were out on road games due to the AT&T Center being used at the time for the San Antonio Rodeo and Roundup till February 26 th. Their first home game was on March 1 st (playing the Indianapolis Pacers). So, I put his card away, gave him one of mine and we said our goodbyes at the gate after we left the plane. After arriving at the LaQuinta Inn, where I would be staying, and getting checked in, I went to Whataburger and had a late dinner. In case you don t know what Whataburger is, it s a hamburger place like say Burger King. The following morning (February 23 rd ), I decided to travel around San Antonio and go to places I was familiar with to see how they had changed, even went out to East San Antonio to see the house I used to live in from 1975 to You can put in a long distance of driving in the town and not leave the city limits. I put on at least 60 miles that day and only once got out of the city limits, because I wanted to look at a location just east of where I use to live. Ever heard of the country song years ago China Grove? I went to where the actual China Grove, Texas is. Stopping to take pictures of things and driving in the Great San Antonio traffic can take you awhile, especially when you come upon construction on the freeway. They have a great freeway system (compared to ours here) even a double deck freeway (I-35) going through the downtown area north to south. Once I had gone to most of the areas I wanted to see for the day, I decided it was time to head back to the hotel. It took me over an hour to go approximately 16 miles from where I was at, since it was rush hour traffic time and let me clue you in, when it is that time of day the freeway is packed with vehicles. On February 24 th, I went to the AVA Headquarters in Universal City, where they were having an Open House from 9am to 11am, prior to the start of the Texas Trail Roundup Event in downtown San Antonio that afternoon. I met the whole gang there Henry, Erin, Karen, Samantha, Theresa and Hector. I didn t stay too long there, since the

9 I was the 14 th visitor that day. I did get a chance to talk with Henry, Erin, Karen and Samantha for a while. Dennis Michelle (AVA President) was there and I spoke with him briefly, he should have been in the meeting. After leaving AVA HQ s, I stopped at a Starbucks (yes, I know what you are thinking Ed and his Starbucks) hey this was my first Starbucks on this trip! (well of course other than the one at the Dallas Love Field Airport). I arrived at the Holiday Inn Express on Cesar E. Chavez Blvd (formerly Durango St) a few minutes before 1pm. The opening ceremony was at 1pm for the event, this is the first year of this event for IML certification, they go 2 years and then on the 3 rd year, they will get their certification, if they pass. While in the room for the opening ceremony, I had a tap on my right shoulder, it was a friend of mine from Mobile, Alabama (Gary Pritchard) so he sat down to my right and left a space for his wife (Marietta) who hadn t come into the room yet. The opening ceremony had a guest speaker from the San Antonio Missions National Parks Service, their local supervisor Mardi Arce, who had a short film on the San Antonio Missions, which wasn t actually all that short. Gary, Marietta and I chatted and decided to do the afternoon walk together, gosh can Gary walk fast! The Friday afternoon walk was the Friendship Walk, took you around to the various sights of San Antonio, of course to the Riverwalk and Alamo, along with other sights to see. Once we got back to the finish, we went our separate ways, they had plans to see someone that evening for dinner. We decided to meet tomorrow morning at 8:30am to do the Saturday walk. Saturday, I got there a little earlier than they did so I went and got my preregistration start card (you had to do this every day), then go upstairs to the social room and get checked in and given instructions and map for your walk. I decided I was going to do the 13K, it was the next distance available after the 5K. Went back downstairs and waited a few minutes and until they arrived. Gary asked me if I had gotten my stuff for the walk yet, showed him I had and he said You aren t doing the 23K with us?. Well I hadn t planned on it! He talked me into doing the 23K with them, I wanted to Kill him when I was at the 20K checkpoint, I was really dragging, I held them up at the checkpoint for a short while. When I completed the walk I was glad Gary had talked me into doing the 23K route, got to see 2 of the 4 San Antonio Missions, Mission Concepcion and Mission San Jose. Along with numerous ducks in the San Antonio River we had walked alongside of. I hadn t been in this area for a long time and it had sure grown with condos and apartments alongside the river area. Once we got back and were finished, we said our good byes and headed our separate ways. We discussed our meeting up again in April in Victoria, BC for the Phoenix Festival. Marietta and Gary were stopping at his Father s home in Northern San Antonio for the rest of the day and on Monday, then leaving for home in Mobile, Alabama. Monday, I packed up a few things and headed to Gulfport, Mississippi for a quick trip. Wanted to go there to see the Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday parade. When I got there (10pm) I was told by the Front Desk, it had moved, for years to now, to Biloxi, where I lived for 2 years before going to Germany. This was a real long drive, just a little over 600 miles taking 10 hours, with very little stopping along the way. Tuesday

10 morning I had breakfast at the Quality Inn hotel and then went across the street to Wal- Mart for gas, they have Gas Stations in Mississippi. Gas was $2.09 a gallon. I then went over to Biloxi, because I wanted to do the 5K for the Biloxi YRE there, found out that was impossible, the visitors center was closed as it was a State Holiday! Fat Tuesday takes over the town along with the parade! So instead I drove out to Keesler Air Force Base where I lived for 2 years and tried to find the home I had lived in while there, Gone!! Brand new within the past few years is a new housing development. I drove around town and stopped at (yes you got it) a Starbucks for coffee for the return trip back to San Antonio since it was already 10:30am or thereabouts. I had a 10-hour drive ahead of me, I wanted to get the long drive completed and back to my second home. I arrived back late at night as I stopped in Baton Rouge on the way, it took longer since I had rain from Slidell, LA through Lafeyette, LA. After arriving back to San Antonio and my hotel I sent an to Chanson Douglas, just to see if he remembered me and would get me a ticket to the Spurs game. Well he replied and said he had a ticket waiting for me at the Will Call Window in my name! I went there on Wednesday at noon and found out the window wasn t open until 2pm, so had lunch then went back. There was a ticket for me there and it was a SUPER SEAT ticket!! He had a ticket for me in Section 112, Row 7, seat 9. This was 17 rows from the court, talk about a fantastic spot. I found out later this ticket would have cost me $ for the game. It cost me $15.00 for parking at an off-site lot and $5.00 for coffee ($2.50 each time), $20.00 was what I spent that night and the Spurs won the game too! At halftime, I went out in the corridor area and found Chanson and Thanked him very much for the super ticket and the great location. He told me when I come back next year to look him up and hopefully he can do it again. I told him we needed to keep in touch and he agreed. Can you believe it? All this came about from having a conversation on a 1 hour plane flight to San Antonio from Dallas. Wednesday was return day back to the rain and chilly weather of Portland and I was was right, it was chilly at 37 degrees, I had left San Antonio at 2pm their time and it was 85 degrees. What a difference! I plan to go back to San Antonio next February and hope to be gone for at least 3 weeks. Ed Mission A great little steakhouse Town of China Grove

11 2017 Club Officer Directory President: Dick Baker Vice President: Ed Hainline, San Antonia Spurs They won the game! Treasurer: Barbara Baker Secretary: Debbie Esmond, Membership Manager, Asst. Secretary/Treasurer Website Manager: Susan Treacy MEMBERSHIP DUES RENEWALS Have you renewed your membership yet? It s not too late! Our membership price for a year includes a monthly newsletter and it s still only $6 for singles or a family. You can pay the club secretary at the address on the back of this newsletter or bring it to the April 4 club meeting. If you are new to volkswalking and would like to learn more and have fun with others we welcome you to our club! Newsletter Editor: Denise Esmond Deedlenee@comcast.net M@L (M@L=Member at Large) For membership dues mail to: Rose City Roamers c/o 2216 NE 110th St Vancouver, WA Website: Oregon Trails State Volkssport Association (OTSVA) President Walking is the only form of trans- portation in which a man proceeds erect - like a man - on his own legs, under his own power. There is immense satisfaction in that. Edward Abbey, Postcards from Ed: Dispatches and Salvos from an American Iconoclast Dar Parrow oregon.trail.state.volkssport@gmail.com American Volkssport Association Mail: 1001 Pat Booker Rd, Ste 101 Universal City TX NW Regional Director Nancy Wittenberg NW_RD@AVA.org