Walk Across Oregon 2009 Itinerary

Walk Across Oregon 2009 Itinerary

We are supported by many wonderful agencies across the state of Oregon that help survivors of various forms of abuse. To learn more about these agencies, click here.

Where: La Grande, Joseph, Enterprise, Pendleton, Hermiston, The Dalles, Hood River. Columbia Gorge Waterfalls, Portland, Banks-Vernonia Trail, Astoria, Fort Clatsop, Pacific Ocean

Why: We want to stop child abuse, domestic violence, rape, sex abuse, and clergy abuse, and to heal the wounds in our community caused by these abuses.

Who: Survivors, supporters, and members of Compassionate Gathering (www.compassionategathering.org), an organization dedicated to healing the wounds of abuse through Restorative Justice and Compassionate Listening.

How:
1. We want to stop child abuse by getting people to talk about it. Abuse happens when we remain silent.
2. We want to enable survivors of abuse to come forward in an atmosphere of support and belief.
3. We want to nurture community support for survivors by introducing the concept of listening compassionately to the stories of everyone wounded by abuse.
4. We want to connect survivors and supporters to the resources available to help them.
5. We want everyone to enjoy fun and healthy activities by visiting beautiful places in our wonderful state of Oregon and having fun together.
6. We’d like to create an ongoing Walk to help fund resources to help survivors of abuse along the lines of Cycle Oregon or the Susan G.Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Contact: Virginia Jones, cofounder Compassionate Gathering, sex abuse and rape survivor, cell: 503-866-6163, e-mail: compassion500@gmail.com.

Donations are gratefully accepted to help us continue this work.

When: July 28, to September 5, 2009

Media Contact:

Virginia Jones, Executive Director and cofounder Compassionate Gathering, sex abuse and rape survivor, cell: 503-866-6163, e-mail: compassion500@aol.com.

Walk Across Oregon Itinerary (short Form):
July 28: La Grande
July 31: Joseph, Wallowa Lake
August 1: Enterprise, Wallowa Lake
August 3: Pendleton
August 4: Hermiston
August 11: The Dalles
August 13: Hood River
August 17: Columbia River Gorge, Horsetail Falls
August 18: Bridal Veil Falls
August 19: Wakeena Falls
August 20: Multnomah Falls, Oneota Falls
Augsut 21: Latoruel Fall, Crown Point, Larch Mountain
August 22: Portland -- Ascension Catholic Church, Mt. Tabor, Hawthorne District
August 23: Dowtown Portland
August 24: Banks-Vernonia Trail
August 27: Astoria
September 4: Ft. Clatsop
September 5: Pacific Ocean

Itinerary (long form)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009, LaGrande: Tuesday, July 28,. La Grande: Park at Pioneer Park at Palmer and Oak Street at Noon AM. Explore trails leading to Gangloff Park to see vista and Pioneer Cabin until 1 PM. From 1 PM to 3 PM swim at Veterans Swim Pool and play at Pioneer Park. 3 PM. Walk down Oak Street to Adams. Turn left at Adams and walk to 4th street. Turn right on 4th and walk down to K Street. Walk to the offices of Shelter From the Storm at 1111 5th Street and greet staff from Shelter From the Storm. Then turn around and walk back to the Mt. Emily Safe Center at 2107 Third Street just before 4 PM and greet the staff of Mt. Emily Safe Center. Then we will walk to 4th and Adams to enjoy the Farmer’s Market.

We plan to enjoy ourselves exploring Hells Canyon and the Wallowa Mountains on July 29 and 30.

Friday, July 31, 2009, Joseph: We will meet outside Old Towne Café at 8 Main Street in Joseph at 9 AM and walk on Main Street to see the Bronze sculptures of the Artwalk. At 1 PM we will visit the Chief Joseph Memorial. At 2 PM we plan to visit a beach on Wallowa Lake and spend the rest of the day walking in the water and swimming.

Saturday, August 1, 2009, Enterprise: We will enjoy breakfast at Friend’s Restaurant at 107 N. River Street at 8 AM. Then we will walk around downtown Enterprise, Oregon and end up at the Bookloft at 107 E. Main Street at 12 Noon. Once again we will go to Wallowa Lake at 2 PM and enjoy walking and swimming in the water.

Sunday, August 2, 2009: We head to the pass through the Wallowa Mountains on Highway 204 to Pendleton.

Monday, August 3, 2009, Pendleton: We will walk along the Umatilla River on River Parkways Trail’s west end starting at 9 AM. Take Exit 207 off I-84, travel east on Highway 30 two miles, turn left at Westgate Place and park at the end of the Cul de Sac. At 2 PM we will head to the Heritage Museum at 108 SW Frazier Avenue.

Tuesday, August 5, Hermiston: Hermiston Itinerary Tuesday 4: Start at Good Shepherd Hospital on NW 11th at 10 AM. Walk down NW 11th to W Orchard Street. Turn left on W Orchard and walk to McKenzie Park. We will relax in the park until Noon.

August 5 to 10 break

Tuesday, August 11, 2009, The Dalles: We will start by playing at the Riverfront Park at 8:30 AM. At 9:30 AM we will start walking over the freeway on the overpass to walk along East 2nd Street, pausing to enjoy the murals of Oregon history and enjoy shops along the way. We plan to eat lunch at Cottage Café at 11 AM. At 1 PM we will go to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Museum.

August 12: break

Thursday, August 13, 2009 Hood River: We meet at Starbucks at 1040 E. Marina Way at 9:30 AM. Then we will walk through the Port Marina Park to the 2nd Street Overpass over I-84. We will cross the freeway and turn right on Oak Street to enjoy the shops and cafes. Places we plan to visit include South Bank Kitchen, Dog River Café, and Gorge Dogs.

August 14, 15, 16: Break

Monday, August 17, 2009: We will hike from Lower Horsetail Falls to Upper Horsetail Falls, Oneota Falls and Triple Falls. This is a rigorous hike best for those who are in good shape. We will meet at the trailhead by Horsetail Falls at 9 AM.

Geologic History of the Columbia River Gorge: Thirteen to seventeen million years ago basalt lava flows spread out over much of the state of Oregon and Washington and formed the Columbia Plateau. At the time many Oregon rivers ran east to west to the Pacific Ocean. The lava flows forced the rivers to find a northerly course draining into the Columbia River, creating one very large and powerful river. Later the same geologic forces caused the formation of the range of Cascade Volcanoes including Mt. Hood near Portland, Oregon. The end of the last Ice Age, 15,000 to 8,000 years ago caused the repeated massive Missoula floods. The most massive of these floods filled the Gorge to the rim –- up to 1,000 feet -- with water passing at the force of a fire hose. These floods scoured the Columbia River Gorge and carved many dramatic waterfalls along the lower reaches of the Gorge. August 17 begins our walks along these waterfalls. Experience the healing presence of the light and loving force of our higher power revealed through the spectacular nature here. Camping is available at Ainsworth State Park.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009, Bridal Veil Falls: At 10 AM we will meet at Bridal Veil Falls parking lot and walk down to the small but beautiful Bridal Veil Falls. This is a short but steep hike. We will return to the parking lot and walk on the trail along the rim of the Columbia River Gorge. We will then enjoy a picnic together at the picnic ground for a Bring Your Own Bag picnic. This day is meant for those who want to participate but are not interested in a rigorous hike.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009, Wakeena Falls, Wakeena Creek: We will meet at the trail head for Wakeena Falls at 9 Am and hike up to Wakeena Falls and on to the overlook of the Columbia River Gorge, Fairy Falls, to the upper viewpoint and the head of Wakeena Creek, where the water just bubbles out of the ground in a glade of moss covered trees. This hike is a rigorous hike meant for the physically fit.

Thursday, August 20, 2009, Multnomah Falls, Oneota Falls: We will meet at Multnomah Falls Lodge at 9 AM and hike up to the top of Multnomah Falls. This is a short, but very steep uphill climb. Following the hike we will visit the Multnomah Falls Lodge visitor center, gift shop, and some Walkers may choose to dine at Multnomah Falls Lodge.

At 1 PM we will meet at the mouth of Oneota Gorge and walk through the moss and fern covered Oneota Gorge to Oneota Falls and then play in Oneota creek, searching for the Larch Mountain salamander, Tree Frogs, and various fingerling fish that live in the creek. Wear TEVA’s or other water friendly sandals here. Prepare to get wet as water can be waist high and prepare to “use your playground skills” to climb over the log dam blocking Oneota Creek. Crossing the log jam and walking through waist high cold water can be challenging but this hike is short and a wonderful place for children to play.

Friday, August 21, 2009, Latourel Falls, Crown Point, Larch Mountain: Today is meant for those who want to participate but are not able to hike in rigorous terrain. We will meet at 10 AM at the trailhead for Latourel Falls. The walk down to the falls is wheel chair accessible. At 11 AM we will drive to the Vista House at Crown Point. Edger Lazarus, the brother of Emma Lazarus, built this marble building in 1916. Crown Point has an elevation of 733 feet. During the biggest of the Missoula Floods the water neared the top of Crown Point, rushing past with the force of a fire hose.

At Noon we will drive along county roads to Larch Mountain. We will walk to the viewpoint at Sherrod Point. On a clear day several Cascade volcanoes can be seen – Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, and the Three Sisters. The visitor can also see up and down the Columbia River Gorge.

September 5, 2009 (Labor Day weekend): Visit to Fort Clatsop. We will walk along the Lewis River from visitor parking to the Fort. This is an easy mile and a half walk along a level grade.

Saturday, August 22, 2009 Portland, Mt/ Tabor, Hawthorne District: We will meet at Ascension Catholic Church at 10 AM. We will hope to have a Compassionate Gathering listening session with a survivor of abuse. Then we will walk to the top of Mt. Tabor. Mt. Tabor is an extinct cinder cone volcano. at 10 AM. We will walk down Stark Street, stroll through Laurelhurst Park and the Belmont/Hawthorne Districts visiting shops and cafes as we please.

Sunday, August 23, 2009, Downtown Portland: We will start at OMSI at 9 AM and walk along the Willamette Esplanade to the Steel Bridge, cross the Steel Bridge on the lower pedestrian walkway and walk along Waterfront Park to Yamhill Street. Walk up Yamhill Street to Pioneer Square. We will take a break at Pioneer Square. Then we will proceed along Yamhill to SW 10th Avenue. We will turn right at SW 10th Avenue and walk right to Powell’s City of Books on Burnside Street. Powell’s City of Books is the largest bookstore in the world, occupying and entire city block. We will pause to browse at Powell’s and then proceed along 10th Avenue to Jamison Square Park. We will pause and enjoy the interactive fountain at Jamison Square. Then we will proceed through the Pearl District to Tanner Springs Park which is a rejuvenated wetland built on former wetland along the former Willamette River waterfront filled in to expand Portland’s downtown in the last century. Here we will turn left and walk along NW Lovejoy Street to NW 23rd. NW 23rd is lined with shops, cafes, and bookstores such as New Renaissance Bookstore. Here Walkers are free to enjoy themselves shopping and eating as they wish.

Monday, August 24, 2009, Banks-Vernonia Trail: We will meet at the Beaver Creek Trailhead at 9 AM and walk to Vernonia on the Banks-Vernonia Trail proceeding around Vernonia Lake before heading to the Black Bear Coffee Company for lunch at Noon. We will visit Hawkins Park in downtown Vernonia from from 1 to 4 PM.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009: We set camp at Ft. Steven’s campground.

Thursday, August 27, 2009, Astoria Oregon: We will start walking along the Waterfront Walk at 10 AM and walk along the Columbia River to the West Marina. We will pause to enjoy the Maritime Center at 11 AM and then visit downtown Astoria and the docks where the fishing boats moor their boats.

August 28 to September 4: Break

Friday, September 4, 2009 (Labor Day weekend), Visit to Fort Clatsop: We will walk along the Lewis River from visitor parking to the fort. This is an easy mile and a half walk along a level grade.

Saturday, September 5, 2009 (Labor Day Weekend), Columbia River, Pacific Ocean: Take the road that leads to the South Jetty by the mouth of the Columbia River. Go past the jetty to the parking lot at the end of the road. We will meet at 10 AM and then walk to the mouth of the Columbia River. Whatever time we have left, we will spend relaxing on the beach. But note, this is an Oregon beach. It may not be very warm.

Multnomah Falls

Oneota Gorge

Oneota Falls

Upper Horsetail Falls

Lewis and Clark’s Fort Clatsop

Mouth of the Columbia River