On Monday we did our annual Lithia Park Loop.

The group's "good karma" continued as we got a rainless window for our hike.

We gathered by the band shell parking and watched as our group of 16 arrived.

The day started cloudy with temperatures in the low 40s.

Shortly after 9:00 AM we started the hike by going up the steps to the Butler-Perozzi Foutain. Erected in 1916 and repaired in 1987 the Foutain is long past due for a restoration. A fundraiser for more than a year finally raised the $800,000 needed for the project, which hopefully will begin in 2025. The Fountain is a well-known landmark for the park and Ashland.

Next, we took the paved path to the Japanese Garden. They now have maps at the entrance to guide one around the garden. I pointed out the proposed location for a future tea garden and we discovered that the Koi fish now have five offspring! After our group photo by the pond railing, we crossed the road to our next stop...the Pickle Ball courts.

A 21st-century creation, Pickle Ball is still increasing in popularity both in Ashland and across the country. Locally, old abandoned tennis courts have been converted to the mini P B courts; and you can escape the rain to play Pickle Ball downstairs at the Y where formally there were Basketball courts.

We continued up the path to the Upper Duck Ponds and then on to the Auto bridge crossing on Pioneer Road. A right turn into the forest and the path next to Ashland Creek. Here we said hello to the daily preschool kids and moms, and then met my wife, Linda, and our neighbor, Carol coming down the trail on their morning walk.

Following the trail and the road up, we came to the Swimming Reservoir. Here, I told the story of when we met a young man in swim trunks on the frozen lake who went for a dip through a hole he had cut in the ice! He was prepping for the Ashland Polar Bear Club.

Then I said a few words about the passing of Peggy Newman, a longtime AHG member, who died last week in hospice at the age of 92 with her two daughters by her side.

Here is what Elisabeth Zinser wrote about Peggy:

To friends of Peggy Newman, I am sharing sad news.

Peggy Newman passed peacefully Saturday night, comfortably nestled in at Celia’s Hospice House. Her daughters, Michele and Dana, were with her, holding hands and talking to her. They expressed to a few of us known to them how much Peggy cherished her many friendships in Ashland and our region. They thanked us for all we have meant to her over these many years. In Michele’s words, “She was fortunate to have you as friends.” Peggy’s family will be considering how best to honor their mom at a later time. They will stay in touch with a couple of us so we can inform Peggy’s other friends once plans are made.

No doubt we shall all be reflecting upon our shared journeys with Peggy, be they hiking, taking classes, volunteering in our community, and more.
If you are inclined to send sympathy cards to her daughters, the addresses are:

Michele Twitty, 520 73rd Avenue NE, Olympia, WA 98506

Dana Ramseyer, 4261 West Woodhaven Loop, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814.

What a wonderful woman, Peggy was, and a terrific hiker with Ashland Hiking Groups over the years. She contributed greatly to our community, such as leading “Road Scholar” groups on trips into OSF. And she was an avid learner alongside fellow students in OLLI. And much more. I shall miss her, with fond memories.

We included the first mile of the Wonder Trail in our Loop around Lithia Park, and as we rose above Ashland Creek we felt the first rays of warm sunlight on our backs.

Coming back down, we took the upper trail from the Swimming Reservoir that looks down on the creek and the park. Finally, we came down to the park floor and started to make plans for lunch.

Twelve of us decided on Skouts across from the park for their wide selection of brews and excellent pub food.

On this Holiday Season hike, we went 5.5 miles with 600' on gain.

Happy Trails,
Rich