Photo © Wendy Bumgardner 2008

I was thrilled to learn that my favorite reality TV show, The Amazing Race was having its final leg and winner's mat in my neck of the woods. Previews for Sunday's finale show the finalists using a 2000-foot zip line from Bridge of the Gods to Thunder Island in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, pictured above one month after the race. I've walked across Bridge of the Gods and drove across it in an ice storm last January. I have frequently circled Thunder Island as part of the Columbia Gorge walking weekends we have in June every-other year. Enjoy my photos of the area around the Bridge of the Gods in the Columbia River Gorge.
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The holiday season is one of the best excuses to get your family out for a walk. It's a time for excess holiday calories to burn off and lovely Christmas lights to see. You even have indoor options as well as outdoor options. You can stroll the mall or other indoor decorated areas, or visit neighborhoods and districts that are known for their holiday light displays. I got my husband out for a walk on Sunday o check out how the neighbors were decorating and get ideas for our house. For those who can carry a tune, some impromptu caroling will not only get you out walking, but you may score some nice cookies from the neighbors. Do you have any holiday walking traditions? Have you found a creative way to get your family walking during the holidays?
Add Walking to Your Family Holiday Fun
Share Your Holiday Walking Tips
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner

Yes, it's tough to find the time to exercise during the holiday season. We have tools for you to use to stay motivated. Recording your walks is the best way to maintain a walking schedule. We have online and offline tools you can use. We have free printable pages and a spreadsheet for charting your walks daily, weekly, or monthly.

• December Walks Challenge: As a group, we count up our walks towards a total of 1200 walks for the month.
• December Minutes Challenge: Set your own monthly goal for minutes walked and post your total each day in our Walking Forum.
• December Miles Challenge: Set your own monthly goal for miles walked and post your total each day in our Walking Forum.
• Google Map Pedometer Online: Map, measure and save your walking routes online, free.

Screenshot © Wendy Bumgardner

Comfort shoes are designed to provide pain-relief and comfort for problem feet or extra cushion for those who must be on their feet all day when shopping, working, traveling or touring. Some of them look a bit odd, most of them look a bit boring. But if your feet are finally happy - who cares? Best Comfort Shoes
Fashion: If you're willing to sacrifice comfort for fashion's sake, visit our Shoes About.com site, she has a holiday shoe-buying guide.
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner