Walkabout to Celebrate 35th Anniversary with Dozens of Events and Walks

Walkabout International, San Diego’s longest-running, all volunteer walking organization will observe its 35th anniversary by offering several major events and numerous special anniversary walks during the entire month of March 2012.

Major highlights of the month include a day-long narrated bus tour and buffet lunch of “Walkabout Memories,” a trip on Saturday, March 10 throughout San Diego county, visiting sites of special walks and historical interest, such as scenes from Downtown Sam’s famous walks, piers and parks.  There will be short, leg-stretching walks throughout the tour, and a buffet lunch is included in Clairemont-Mesa.  Participants will receive special commemorative gifts, and enjoy a champagne and strawberry reception at the end of the tour. (See boxed item for sign up information.) 

On Friday, March 2, Board Member Marilyn Buckley will organize Walkabout’s participation in the free monthly walk through shops and offices at Liberty Station in the early evening, with refreshments and an open house at our office.

On Tuesday, March 6, Dan Haslam will speak at Centre City Development Corporation’s Downtown Information Center (Horton Plaza above the old Longs Drugstore, now CVS) at noon at a brown-bag luncheon.  His free talk is entitled, “35 Years of Walkabout International in Downtown San Diego,” and will include vignettes of some of the best walks conducted in downtown. No RSVP required.

On Monday, March 19, Walkabout’s President Stan Follis will lead a walk in Ocean Beach, which folds into a complimentary, hosted cocktail party (sneakers OK) at a beautiful designer home in the area. On Sunday, March 25, at 2 p.m., an invitation-only, fund-raising high tea will be served at a North Park residential building, with valet parking, special gifts and surprises, according to creator Beverly Bruff. 

Finally, on Saturday, March 31, in the early afternoon, walk leaders will set out from various points near downtown San Diego and “converge” or join together at 4th and Island, the pocket park where Downtown Sam’s memorial bench resides.  Walkers can choose whether to walk from Little Italy, Balboa Park, East Village or the Waterfront for a complimentary reception which will include refreshments.

In addition to specific activities, each walk leader has prepared a special anniversary walk.  One anniversary walk will be presented each day of the month and will be highlighted in SD Feets.  For example, you might enjoy a Kate Sessions walk on Friday, March 16, or a reduced-price tour of the Star of India by long-walking docent Elizabeth Schlappi on Friday, March 23 at 9 a.m.  Many walk leaders have arranged refreshments as part of their celebration.  One walk, “Beautiful Stranger,” traces the last days of Kate Morgan, who now haunts the Hotel Del Coronado, and occurs over a half day, using buses, trains and boats in addition to feet. 

So make plans to save the entire month of March to walk on other people’s walks as well as your own.  The March issue of SD Feets will contain specific details of how to enjoy each anniversary walk as well as the other walks which occur on a daily basis. Come support our volunteers who will work hard to present a memorable anniversary celebration for all of us.