The 20 in 2010 is a challenge to walk all of CRVC's YREs and any 5 other events within 2010. Eric G (St Helens/255k), Lena D (Portland/207k), Joan L (Portland/200k), Betty Lou C (Milwaukie/195k) and Ken N (Happy Valley/229k) qualified for the CRVC's 20 in 2010 challenge. Lena won the drawing for the $50 REI gift card! Thank you all for walking with CRVC and watch for the 20 in 2011 challenge soon to be posted.

January 1st started very cold but dry with CRVC bringing the first volkswalk of 2011 to Oregon.

The walk started at McMenamins Tavern and Pool at 1716 NW 23rd.     McMenamins manager, Jim Conroy, opened their business early to allow us to get set up at 9:30 and walkers to start before 10 am. Many thanks to Jim for coming early and letting us get a warm start.  I would also like to thank Starbucks at Pioneer Square for allowing us to use their facility for the checkpoint keeping the volunteers there warm as well.   

    The walk route (6 and 10 kms in length) was in the NW and downtown portions of Portland and incorporated all four of the new Oregon Challenges (Museums, Monuments, Mountains and Murals) and one new AVA challenge (Baseball). 

    A total of 213 walkers came out and braved the cold - 108 credit walkers and 103 non-credit walkers.  Thanks to Judy K. at the checkpoint we sold one new walker packet. Judy also reached out to a lot of non-walkers coming into Starbucks about volkssporting.   11 walkers signed up to receive Walk Oregon notification of upcoming walks so hopefully they will return. 

    As always, volunteers are what makes it happen.  I would like to thank our volunteers Ed H. and Joe K. for marking the trail;  Ed H., Leslie W., and Barbara B. for helping me set up the start area; Leslie W., Pat J. and Barbara B. (2 shifts) for manning the registration, start, and finish; Colleen D., Judy K. (2 shifts), and me at the checkpoint, Pat J. Barbara B. and Judy K. for packing up the start, finish, and Peggy W., and Michele D. for sweeping the trail.  Although I had my camera with me all day I forgot to take photos until the end.  Photos are of Barbara, Pat and Judy at the finish and Peggy and Michele taking down the last trail marking.

     Thank you again for those who braved the cold and walked with us and especially the CRVC volunteers.  Dick B.  Walk Chair 

Parks & Public Art Walk - YRE 1400 - 10km - rated 1+. If you enjoy city parks and lots of Public Artwork, bakeries, a bookstore plus shopping then you will enjoy this walk. It takes you past new and old, small but interesting, city parks. Then you head towards the Columbia River and walk along the path that connects to downtown Portland. On the return trip you go over a foot bridge and by the train station before heading to downtown Portland and the bakeries and Powell's bookstore. Great walk to get a taste of what Portland is about. See photos here.