AVA: America's Walking Club is joining

REI's #OptOutside Campaign.

Let's get out and walk on Black Friday,

November 29, 2019

To find an AVA #OptOutside event in your

area click on your state below.

For additional information click here.

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Sumner, WA

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Deem Hills Trail

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Des Moines

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DTSummerlin Walk 3

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Gaithersburg, MD

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Truckee-tahoe

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Tallgrass Prairie 3

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Seneca State Park

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Georgetown Falls

DeLeon Springs

The Mid Florida Milers and Happy Wanderers
Webpage

OptOutside
Start Time: 8:30 - 10:00 am
Start Point: De Leon Springs State Park
POC: John McClellan
Description: Join the Happy Wanderers and Mid-Florida Milers for the annual AVA #OptOutside walk on Black Friday. Instead of shopping, come back to nature at beautiful DeLeon Springs State Park with the famous Old Spanish Sugar Mill and renowned pancake breakfast. (Breakfast arrangements are on your own.) We'll register walkers from 8:30 to 10:00 am and likely have at least one group walk depart around 9:00 am. Relaxing, wooded trail loop of 4.5 miles plus in/around the grounds of the springs themselves. 5k is out to turn-around point and back, 10k is full loop. Both routes include Old Methuselah, a 500+ year-old Cypress Tree. Wear shoes appropriate for wooded trails.
Click here for event details
Click here for event flyer

Safety Harbor

Suncoast Sandpipers Volkssport Club
OptOutside - Paradise Restaurant
Registration Time: 8:45 am
Start Time: 9:00 am
Start Point: The Gazebo at John Wilson Park, 401 Main St. Safety Harbor
POC: Alice Lawrence
Description: Directions. From Tampa, take SR 60 west (towards Clearwater). Turn right on Bayshore Dr.; drive 2.5 miles to Main St (stop sign); turn left. Gazebo will be on right. From north or south Pinellas County, take US 19 to Sunset Point/Main St. Go east 2.5 miles to gazebo on left. Parking is available on street. Do not park in Paradise Restaurant parking lot.
Fees. Bring an unwrapped toy and walk for free. Otherwise normal fees apply: $2 for walk, $1 for volkssport credit. Sandpipers coupons are okay.
Dining. Enjoy the comfort food of the Paradise or opt for another Safety Harbor café. We won’t be taking group reservations because people may be in a hurry to get shopping.

Click here for event details

Anderson

Indy G Walkers
Black Friday - Shadyside Park/Anderson U
Start Time: Registration begins at 9:30 am - Walk starts at 10:00 am
Start Point: Shadyside Park parking lot near the Bobber's Cafe, 1117 Alexandria, Anderson, IN
POC: Cliff Terry, (317) 776-1848
Description: The 5 K trail will follow paved trails around the lakes in Shadyside Park. The 10 K trail will continue through and Killbuck Creek Wetlands, White River Greenway, and the beautiful Anderson University campus.
Special Notes: This walk is conducted as a TRAVELING GUIDED WALK (TGW) and features exciting new destinations and a shorter start/finish window than our previous traditional events. A group leader will set the pace. You will start the walk promptly at 10:00 AM. Please arrive at the site at least 15 minutes before the start time to register.
Directions: From Indy take I-69 (N) to IN 9 North (exit 226- Scatterfield Rd.) and follow north to Lindberg Rd. L on Lindberg Rd to Alexandria Pike. R to entrance to Bobber's Cafe at Shadyside Bait & Tackle on the L. Park in the lot to the right of the Cafe From Ft Wayne , take I-69 (S) to IN 32 (exit 234) and follow west to IN 9. R on IN 9 to Lindberg Rd. Follow above directions to the park.
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SOUTH BEND

HOOSIER HIKERS
Notre Dame University
Registration Time: 8:30 am (EST)
Start Time: 9:00 am (EST)
Start Point: IVY INN, 1404 IVY COURT, SOUTH BEND, IN 46637
POC: BOB BUZOLICH, (574)339-9140
Special Notes: UPON COMPLETING REGISTRATION WALKERS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO A MINIMUM OF TWO GROUPS, DEPENDING ON THE DISTANCE THAT THE WALKER DESIRES TO COMPLETE. THE TWO DISTANCES OFFERED ARE 7-KILOMETERS ( ABOUT 4-1/2 MILES)OR 12-KILOMETERS (ABOUT 7-1/2 MILES).
Click here for event details

Strong City

Kansas Jay Walkers
Registration Time: 9:45 am
Start Time: 10:00 am
Start Point: Z Bar Ranch, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Visitor Center Information Desk, HWY 177 about 3 mis N of Strong City, KS
POC: Lucy Yother, 913-250-0866
Description: Gravel roads and mowed paths through the beautiful Flint Hills that surround the historic mansion. Wheelchairs, strollers, and pets are NOT allowed in the backcountry. Difficulty Level 2. Not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs if ground is wet; possible, but difficult if ground is dry. Pets are allowed, but must be on a visible, 6' or shorter leash; attended at all times; and picked up after. Z Bar (Spring Hill) Ranch is a 10,894-acre cattle ranch. The preserve protects 10,862 acres, most of it under control of the Nature Conservancy. The National Park Service currently operates 32 acres including the 1881 historic ranch house, three-story limestone barn and outbuildings, and nearby one room schoolhouse - Lower Fox Creek School (built 1882). Numerous natural springs, hence the name "Spring Hill," are found on the ranch, which also includes two permanent streams, Fox Creek, and Palmer Creek. The ranch house is an imposing three story, eleven-room building constructed in the Second Empire style, a rare architectural style in the region, and executed in native materials. The 6,480-square foot, three-story barn is nearly as impressive as the house.
Special Notes:Fox Creek Hiking Trail (10K loop). Starts at N end of Bottomland Trail & goes N, following Fox Creek. You will experience bottomland prairie restoration plots along Fox Creek's riparian areas. Deep soils & abundant moisture produce 6' tall grasses in Fall. Southwind Nature Trail (3K loop). A leisurely stroll across hill & valley, watercourse & prairie grassland, gives you a close-up look at what makes up the Preserve. Named for the Kansa Indians, People of the Southwind, this trail presents marvelous vistas as well as an opportunity for detailed looks at the prairie ecosystem. Two overlook areas give you a chance to experience the scenic beauty of the prairie. The trail winds across rolling hills, over a spring-fed stream lined with cottonwood & hackberry trees, & through a fascinating array of grasses. Along the way is evidence of the insects, birds, & mammals that make the prairie their home. Take your time & notice the gray & white rock, limestone, & steel-tough chert, commonly called "flint," that gives the name to the hills. Hike to the little one-room school house on the hill & then back to the ranch HQs. Bottomland Trail (1K & 1K loops (both loops=2K)). Bottomland is any land adjacent to a waterway & is prime agricultural land, due to sediment runoff. The trail consists of an information trailhead, five interpretive waysides, benches, overlook areas, & fully accessible trail loops. Awards and fees: IVV Credit Only
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Dayton

Ohio Wander Freunde
Group Walk
Gather Time: 8:45 am
Start Time: 9:00 am
Start Point: PNC Second Street Market, 600 E. Second Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
POC: Dawn Gruber
Description: Rated 1A, Two 5K Loops. The trails are accessible to strollers and wagons. Wheelchairs would have difficulty because sidewalks are uneven on both Loops and not all curb cuts are easy, especially in the historic areas. Loop #1, takes you to downtown Dayton with a return through the Oregon District. See the big Christmas tree on Court House Square PLUS, the statue of Abe Lincoln. Enjoy the G Gauge Trains at Chase Bank. Loop #2, You will have views of Dayton from both sides of the Great Miami River, see the new areas for Kayaking, enjoy the quaintness of Victorian McPherson Town and be amazed at the additional development around Fifth Third Field.
Driving to the start: PNC Second Street Market, 600 E. Second Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402. Located at the corner of 2nd Street & Webster Street. Directions:
From I-75 Southbound: Exit 54A, MAIN STREET. Left on Main St. to Left on E. 1st St. to Webster. Right on Webster to 2nd. St. Market is on the left.
From I-75 Northbound: Exit 54c. to Webster St. Right on Webster to 2nd St.
From US 35 Westbound: Exit Right on Keowee St./Steve Whalen Blvd. Stay Left to Koewee St. Right on Koewee to Third St. Right on Third to Left on Webster. 2nd St. Market. Is on the corner of Webster and 2nd.
From US 35 Eastbound; Exit Keowee St. Right on Koewee for a short distance to Xenia Ave. light. Left at the light to go north on Keowee to Third St. Right on Third St. to Webster. Left on Webster. 2nd St. Market. is on the corner of Webster and 2nd Street.

Mesquite

Dallas Trekkers Walking Club
Mesquite Heritage Trail
Registration Time: 8 - 11 am
Start Time: 8 am
Start Point: Walgreens Drug Store, 1015 North Town East Blvd, Mesquite, TX
POC: Dianne Duke
Description: Skip the shopping and walk with the Dallas Trekkers along the Mesquite Heritage Trail that connects neighborhoods, parks, and schools from a main spine trail. The City of Mesquite has built beautiful Trail plazas complete with drinking fountains, benches, picnic tables, landscaping and outdoor art. This walk will start from the Walgreens parking lot and enter the Mesquite Heritage Trail at the Dunford Recreation Center, then through shaded neighborhoods, to Palos Verdes Lake Park and back. The 10k will return through another neighborhood and the small and charming Beasley Park.
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Georgetown

Colorado River Walkers
Georgetown Visitors Center
Registration Time: 12:45 pm
Start Time: 1 pm
Start Point: Georgetown Visitors Center, 103 W 7th, Georgetown, TX
POC: Carol Obianwu
Description: Our revised routes starts at the Courthouse square, walks historical streets, then soon joins the South San Gabriel Trail through Chautauqua Park. At Blue Hole Park it joins the Bonner Hike and Bike Trail along South San Gabriel River into McMaster Athletic Complex and past the Bark Park, before returning to the square. We anticipate many of the historic homes will have their holiday decorations up to enjoy.
Special Notes: We have chosen to start at 1:00 p.m. so that some walkers might like to have an early dinner at one of Georgetown's famous restaurants, and stay till early eveining to enjoy the Holiday lighting of the town square. Locals bring a folding chair and relax while watching the lighting ceremony.
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San Antonio

Randolph Roadrunners
Southside Lions Park, Pavilion 2 Y0136
Time: Registration opens at 8 - 11 am, Start Time is 8 am
Start Point: 400 Pecan Drive, San Antonio, TX
POC: Susan Medlin, (210) 325-3523
Description: Start at Pavillion 2, on the shore of the lovely Lions Park Lake. Circle the Lake, then head out on a broad, paved trail. There is lots of shade on the trail. You will walk through Comanche Park and Conventry Park to the J Street trail Intersection. Then retrace your steps back to Pavilion 2. Once you are through, enjoy a delicious $5 Hot dog lunch, grilled by our own Master Chef, John Ives. Your lunch includes a soda, bag of chips, and a choice of home-made desserts from Susan Medlin. Eat, drink, and reminisce with your walking friends as you watch the ducks paddle happily on the lake. it is a quiet and serene escape from the Black Friday mad shopping rush.
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