URBAN HIKE
June 18, 2008

THE CARFREE CONFERENCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN MID JUNE ON THE PSU CAMPUS ASKED ME TO LEAD AN URBAN HIKE.

AS ALWAYS, IT STARTED OFF AS A MUNDANE STROLL WITH EACH OF US, INCLUDING ME, WONDERING AGAIN WHY WE WERE DOING
THIS. AND, AS ALWAYS, AROUND LAP 3 OR 4 OF OUR HIKE, WE ALL STARTED NOTICING THINGS WE HADN'T SEEN ON THE PREVIOUS
LAPS. AND, THE SEEMINGLY SUBTLE MUNDANE ELEMENTS OF THE URBAN LANDSCAPE SUDDENLY TOOK ON A NEW LIFE WITH EACH
PASS. IT WAS GREAT FOR ME PERSONALLY TO LISTEN TO THE PARTICIPANTS AS THEY VOCALIZED THEIR OWN DISCOVERIES. THE
ELEVATOR THAT EMERGED FROM THE SIDEWALK WAS A VERY PLEASANT SURPRISE, AS WAS SAYING HELLO TO FORMER PORTLAND
MAYOR, VERA KATZ DURING A MOMENT OF RESPITE AT THE COFFEE SHOP ACROSS THE STREET.