Upcoming Walking and Hiking Events
Wednesday April 5, 2023 is National Walking Day.
The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day and it encourages Americans of all ages to get out and stretch their legs and get their hearts pumping. The American Heart Association sponsors this day to remind people about the health benefits of taking a walk.
Join Marilyn B. for a walk along the beach in Pacific Beach.
“SEZ ME”
Elaine Berger, President
Here we are already in April and spring has certainly sprung. Look at the beautiful trees and flowers everywhere! And for baseball fans, the new season is upon us.
March was filled with so many wonderful opportunities to enjoy Walkabout events—March 4th walk, Anniversary picnic, St. Patrick’s walk and Japanese Garden Cherry Blossom walk, Evelyn K’s 46th street walk among others.
Speaking of the 46th anniversary picnic, it was fun to see old and new friends. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not co-operate, so the picnic was held in the Green Room of the Dance Bldg. it was great to see Dan Haslam and hear of his many adventures.
Thanks to Rob Keller for leading a walk that ended just before the rain arrived. Donna Ferris dropped by the office and had a piece of cake. Thanks to Marilyn for arranging the event. As we plan trips, I will remind Walkabouters that trips are our primary way of fundraising. If you do not do the trips, we are unable to sustain our organization. I realize that things have changed, people have aged, health issues have arisen, the economy has become more difficult, etc. If you are no longer willing or able to do trips, we need to know why. Are they boring, too expensive, too difficult? Without your input, we have no way to know. If you are no longer able to do a trip, would you be able to make a donation to Walkabout? Tell us your story, please.
Enjoy the wonders of spring and enjoy the many opportunities that surround us.
WALKABOUT 46TH ANNIVERSARY
Not snow or sleet or hail, not even rain could stop the hardy dozen or so who weathered the weather to celebrate Walkabout’s 46th Anniversary with a spring picnic. The celebratory picnic was held indoors in the Green Room in the Walkabout office building due to the weather. We reminisced about past trips and old friends, such as Downtown Sam and Bruce Herms. The group enjoyed visiting with Dan Haslam, who was in town for a few days. After the lunch Rob Keller led a walk around Liberty Station. Thanks to all who joined us.
SWEET PEA DAY AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS
APRIL 15
On Saturday, April 15th, enjoy our special day dedicated to these old-fashioned, dainty flowers! Wander through our towering maze of fragrance of old-fashioned sweet pea flowers. Bouquets will be cut with availability.
Join Marilyn B. (678-982-6071) and her flower loving friends for a visit to Summer Past Farms, https://www. summerspastfarms.com. This lovely flower nursery is celebrating spring with a day all about Sweet Peas, one of her favorites.
We will carpool to the farm with an optional lunch afterwards. Call the office 619-231-7463 to put your name on the interest list. We will decide where to meet depending on the most convenient location for most participants. Probably in Mission Valley near the 8 freeway. The address for Summers Past Farms is 15602 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon, CA 92021.
JOIN US AT THE DESCANSO GARDENS AND NORTON SIMON MUSEUMSATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023
DESCANSO GARDENS
Join your Walkabout nature loving friends as we explore the many and varied gardens of this unique Southern California landscape.
Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat of year-round natural beauty, internationally renowned botanical collections, and spectacular horticultural displays. In 1953, Descanso founder E. Manchester Boddy preserved these 150 acres of gardens, woodlands, and chaparral for future generations to experience the natural heritage and beauty of Southern California.
Breathe in the perfume of the 5-acre rose garden devoted to America’s most popular flower. More than 1,600 roses represent centuries of horticultural history. Explore the tranquil Japanese Garden that blends design elements from four classic garden styles. Cross an arched bridge and walk on shaded paths along a koi-filled stream to the tea house. The plants in this garden are all native to Asia, and include camellias, azaleas, Mondo grass and Japanese maples. Descanso Gardens is also home to North America’s largest camellia collection. The Oak Forest has many species of oak trees. Descanso’s newest garden is centered on a collection of cycads donated by Katia and Frederick Elaea. The collection includes more than 180 plants representing 60 varieties of several endangered species.
Norton Simon Museum
Next stop is the Norton Simon Museum, which is known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled. Approximately 1,000 works from the permanent collection of 12,000 objects are on view in the Norton Simon Museum’s galleries and sculpture garden throughout the year. Lunch will be on your own at the museum’s Garden Café. For more info about the museum go to https://nortonsimon.org.
If we don’t have at least 25 people joining this trip we will have to cancel. Non-Walkabouters are welcome on this day trip so why not invite some friends.
Send in your check for $159 to Walkabout International, 2650 Truxtun Rd., Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92106. Mark the memo line Descanso Gardens. We will be departing on a 56 passenger bus, with a bathroom, at 7am from the Walkabout Office in Liberty Station, with a possible north county pickup if needed. Returning to San Diego approximately 7pm. Trip leader is Marilyn Buckley 678-982 6071 (cell)
Perched high above the Descanso Gardens landscape on the crest of a hill, the historic Boddy House offers a glimpse of a glamorous bygone era. Built as the home of Descanso founder E. Manchester Boddy in the late 1950’s, the Boddy House is a must see for first time visitors.
Save time for the Sturt Haaga Gallery. Rotating exhibits throughout the year seek to illuminate the intersection between contemporary arts and the sciences represented by the garden.
We will start with a 45-minute docent lead tour around the gardens. This large garden will require participants to be able to walk on their own for extended period of time. There will be places where you can stop and just relax and take in the view. For more information about the garden go to https://www.descansogardens.org/visit.
Welcome Aboard
Oct 7-14, 2023
As travel restrictions are easing, Walkabout International is looking at ways to again add more excitement to our walks by designing a variety of both local and international walks.
One event that we are excited to tell you about is a CROATIAN CRUISE along the Dalmatian Coast. We have blocked ten cabins on a small cruise vessel that only has 18 luxury cabins. We already have deposits on five cabins, which include some walk leaders. The trip begin in Dubrovnik, Croatia on 7 October 2023 and end in Split, Croatia on 14 October.
Our cruise includes airport pick-up and dropoff at the vessel, your luxury cabin, meals, and sightseeing. All cabins on upper and lower deck have wonderful ocean views.
2023 seems a long way off, but it’s just around the corner. People are “on the move again” and many tours and cruises into 2023 are already booked out, so we have chosen one of the best months to cruise and sight-see in Croatia.
We are using a well-known small-ship cruise line, Zantium Cruises. With just 18 cabins onboard, we will be spoiled by our 8-person crew as we enjoy the scenery, delicious meals, island exploring, and so many extras added.
We will be responsible for our own air arrangements which allows us to use airline points, our favorite airline and add before/after accommodation, if we individually wish.
Our cruise has been booked through Viaggio European Tours, who specializes in European walking/sightseeing small-group touring. For full details, www.viaggio-tours.com. On the front page, click “Croatia 2023,” then “M/V New Star.”
An optional Walking Tour is available at the end of the cruise. Details on this 3 day land-based tour can be viewed at www.viaggio tours.com/extension.
If you have any questions, please text/call our Walkabout Board Member, Carole Ericson at 858- 829-1282. To reserve a cabin, a deposit of $500 per person is required. To reserve your cabin, go to https://www.viaggio-tours.com/contact-us and fill in your information; you will be emailed a reservation form. As this cruise has been booked directly with the cruise line, we are able to invite non-Walkabouter friends and relatives to also join us. An added bonus!
Its Fun
It keeps you fit
Its Free
JOIN US ON
Month At A Glance
Friday Zoom teleconferences
Due to the CV-19 restrictions, we are having a casual Zoom teleconference each Friday at 10:00 Am PST and all are invited. We share our coping experiences and renew friendships with other Walkabouters. Active subscribers with email addresses are receiving email notices of each meeting. You are welcome to share that invitation with others.
If you did not receive an invitation, you have come to the right place. Friday morning before 10:00 you will find a block right below which will allow you to join our Zoom Walkabout meeting. You can also sign up for our newsletter or update your subscription information by going to Subscribe and completing an application.
Unfamiliar with the Zoom experience, please go to https://zoom.us/ and take advantage of the information you will find there. I look forward to seeing you at this valuable experience. Stan F 619.222.344
Please Join Walkabout Zoom Meeting starting at 10:00am every FRIDAY
Stan F