RAPS Group Reports Book Group THE RAPS BOOK GROUP met on April 16 and discussed Perfume River, A Novel by Robert Olen Butler. Set in North Florida, Perfume River is the story of the family impact, and the generational effects, of members holding differing positions during the Vietnam war. Though well reviewed, members reported that they found it disheartening to read. There was an intensity in reactions to the book that mirrored the intensity of the feelings of the family members portrayed. In May we plan to read Evolution’s Captain by Peter Nichols, the story of the captain of the Beagle, who took Darwin along on his voyage. The title page reads: “The TRUE STORY of the Theft of a Whaleboat AND the Subsequent ABDUCTION of FOUR SAVAGES from Tierra del Fuego Whose Shocking Misbehaviour at the WALTHAMSTOW INFANTS SCHOOL Led to CHARLES DARWIN’s Voyage Aboard the Beagle, the Shattering of Man’s Profoundest Beliefs, AND the Most Ironic and Melancholy Fate of its Captain ROBERT FITZROY.” We will meet on Tuesday, May 21 at the home of Gwen Pierce, 512 SW Maplecrest Dr., Portland. Call Gwen at 503-246-9632 of email her at gwen-pierce@comcast.net to let her know whether you will be there. We have selected Before We Were Yours, a novel by Lisa Wingate, as our book to read and discuss on June 18. We will meet at the home of Steve and Eileen Brennan. This book is based on a real-life scandal and is the tale of a group of siblings abducted from their home, placed in a children’s home, and then adopted, and the uncovering of hidden family history as one of the siblings, now adult, traces her original family. It is well reviewed. The book group meets the third Tuesday of every month. New members are always welcome. —Joan Shireman Bridge Group THE RAPS BRIDGE GROUPmeets in the afternoon on the first Tuesday of each month. We begin play at 12:15 pm. We try to finish up by 4 pm. We meet in Smith Center. We have had some new and returning members join us for our last few meetings. Please feel free to be another one of our new members for bridge (we really would welcome more new members). Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming spring term meetings: Tuesday, May 7, and Tuesday, June 4, both in SMSU 258 I will send out the reminder email notice about one week prior to each date we play. If you wish to join us, please contact Steve Brennan, 503-646-6297. My email address is the.steve.brennan@gmail.com. 3 —Photograph by Deve Swaim Hikers explioring Catherine Creek in April found an abundance of wildflowers along the trails. Hiking Group THE RAPS HIKING GROUP met on Tuesday, April 23, at Catherine Creek, east of Bingen on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge—a premiere spot for spring wildflowers. Starting under cloudy skies, four hikers climbed up through open meadows amid flowers ranging from showy (Balsamroot, Lomatium) to tiny (Silene, Miner's Lettuce). The group descended through woods on an old jeep road (and a different cohort of flowers). The May 28 hike is a 3.6-mile round trip up to Tom McCall Point, with 1,070 feet elevation gain. It is known for its views, wildflowers, ticks, and poison oak! The trail starts at the Rowena Crest Trailhead off the Columbia River Highway. Pack a lunch and water. The hike will start at 10:30 am. Carpooling options are the Gateway Transit Center or the Troutdale Factory Outlets, to be discussed by hikers. On June 26 the hiking group will follow the Silver Falls State Park Canyon Trail. We will hike up the canyon, to have the best views of the falls that are the major attraction of this popular park. The hike will be a carpool hike with cars spotted at the upper end of the canyon for our return. As with the May event, those hiking will bring their own lunches and water to the June hike. For more details about this hike or future hiking plans in 2019, please consult the RAPS hikers’ website: https://www.pdx.edu/raps/RAPS-Hikers If you plan to hike in May or June, please contact Larry Sawyer at 503-771-1616 or larry_sawyer@comcast.net. —Larry Sawyer
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