Drink and Walk - Walking the Brewery District - Thurs., June 8, 2017

Day two of our AVA (American Volkssport Association) started out with morning workshops. Attendees could take up to three workshops with topics ranging from the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin to the History of Billings, HQ Operations, Trailmaster Training, Nordic Pole Walking, and more. 

I opted for two classes: News Media Relations (since I'm the Publicity Chair for our club), and Taoist Tai Chi for Walkers (because I've been curious about Tai Chi for a while). Both classes were worth taking. 

In News Media Relations, we learned to make sure we know who is in charge of the department where you want to publish your Press Releases, talk to editors of papers, find out if your local Chamber of Commerce sends email blasts with events and club meeting times, look into putting our events into AARP, and PBS/NPR local calendars, and send out press releases for every event.  

The Taoist Tai Chi class was held outdoors in the courtyard of the convention hotel. Our instructors, Joel and Lisa, were great. They had us doing the poses of Tai Chi that help with balance and posture, increased strength and flexibility, improved circulation, calmness and peace of mind. The little bunnies by the platform where we practiced Tai Chi stole the show. 

About 12 people participated in our class. The movements reminded me of Kung Fu Panda martial arts moves, performed in a slower, more controlled manner. The Tai Chi class was very enjoyable . I want to take more classs when I return to San Antonio. After class, Joel and Lisa joined us for lunch. 

Joel and Lisa of the Taoist Tai Chi Society

After lunch, we had a Convention General Session. The meeting included a credentialing report, Treasurer's report, the introduction of the 20th AVA Convention Committee, selection of an AVA mascot (the AVA voted not to have a mascot), distinguished achievement awards, AVA Hall of Fame, and President's Award. Our guest speaker was Kevin Kooistra, Executive Director of the Western Heritage Center in Billings. The General Session ended at 4:00 p.m. which gave us two hours until our President's Walk, a Brewery Tour in downtown Billings. 

AVA Convention General Session

IVV (International Federation of Popular Sports) banner

At 6:00 p.m., we were taken by bus to the brewery walk start point in front of the Western Heritage Museum. Darren, Susan and I decided to do the 10k (6.2 mile) walk. The unofficial "brewery district" includes six breweries and two distilleries.

We saw quite a few murals painted on buildings in downtown.

Darren, Mike, and Randy from
San Antonio Road Runners Club

One restaurant really wanted us to remember their name...Ten.

We hadn't eaten dinner yet, so 1/2 hour into the walk we stopped in Guido's 1st Ave Pizza/Pug Mahon's Irish Pub for dinner. Susan and Darren ordered pizza and I had a meat pastie from the Irish Pub. Darren had a beer, Susan and I did not.

After we finished the brewery district, our walk took us through residential areas, the downtown core, and by a couple of parks. It was a very-well thought out walk. We finished the walk at dusk and a bus was waiting to take us back to the Red Lion Convention Center.

Below are more impressions of our walk. The Moss Mansion Historic House Musem was closed, so we could not look around there. The next three flower photos are in the gardens at Moss Mansion.

Peonies

White clematis

Double Delight rose in honor of my dad

Moss Mansion Historic Park Museum

Prettily painted city utility box

Cute bunny in someone's front yard.

As soon as we returned to the Red Lion, I made a quick change and headed to the hot tub. I was able to soak and bubble for 15 minutes before they closed it for the night. The hot tub really helps my aching feet and legs. Day two of the convention came to a close.