SoBeFree 13

SOBEFREE 13 - March 24 - 27, 2008  - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, on the border between Oregon and Washington

organized by Judy Harpel

The 2008 SO BE FREE will be held in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The Columbia River Gorge offers spectacular views, dry rocky southern slopes, cool damp northern slopes and a wide diversity of bryophyte species. The Gorge is a almost sea level cut through the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington with elevation ranging from around 100 ft at the river to over 3000 feet on both sides of the Gorge. On the west end of the Gorge the vegetation is dominated by mesophytic Douglas-fir/western hemlock forests that transition into a xerophytic ponderosa pine/Garry oak forest on the east end. This unique area offers both old growth forests, soil crust communities, dry and wet rocky cliffs.

We will be based at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, in Corbett Oregon which is located on the rim of the Gorge about 10 miles east of Portland International Airport.. The retreat center is located along the old scenic highway along the gorge rim and has a rich assortment of bryophytes right on the grounds.

We will be eating at the Menucha Center, where meals will be prepared for us and served in their dining hall. There is also a nice and spacious conference room where we can set up microscopes. A range of housing options are available. Registration details are below; deposits are due Dec. 15th. All registration is being handled by Judy Harpel so please do not contact Menucha directly. Judy has already had to pay a deposit for reserving the Center, so this year we really need to collect the 50% non-refundable deposit ahead of time at registration, with the full balance due at the event. Please register promptly for Judy's sake.

Registration Form (please fill out, print and return by snail mail)


SO BE FREE 13
24 MARCH - 27 MARCH, 2008
CORBETT, OREGON
Name: ____________________________
Date: _____________________________
Address: __________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Phone No: _________________
e-mail: ____________________

Lodging (facility fee included):
Single bunk, in dorm room @ $75.00 for 3 nights (note: there are 6 dorm rooms with 4 - 8 beds per room)
Private room @ $221.00 for 3 nights (note: there are only 4 private rooms available and they will be reserved on a first come first serve basis.)
Unfortunately camping is not allowed on the facility grounds; if you camp you will need to find your own site nearby and will also need to pay the commuter facility fee (below). Likewise if you wish to stay in a motel or bed & breakfast you will need to make your own arrangements and will also need to pay the commuter facility fee (below).

Meals:
Starting with dinner on Monday night and ending with lunch on Thursday @ $90.00/ person total.
Commuters: (facility use fee for people not lodging at Menucha):
$27.00/day including dinner (only).
$15.50/day not including any meals (of course you are welcome to take all meals with the group for an additional $90 as described above)
We encourage everyone to eat with the group, as this is part of the magic of SO BE FREE
******************************************************************************
Lodging option: dorm: $75.00/person _______________ = $__________
private: $221.00/room_______________ = $__________
number of people eating meals: $90.00/person ________ = $__________
number of commuters with dinner @ $27.00/person/day ______ = $__________
number of commuters without meals @ $15.50/person/day ____ = $__________
Total Costs: $__________
A 50% non-refundable deposit must be received by Dec. 15th in order
to hold your reservation. Checks should be made out to Judy Harpel
and sent to:
Judy Harpel
PO. Box 490
Brush Prairie, WA 98606-0490
e-mail = wjharpel@earthlink.net
phone = 360-601-4732.
Additional details will be sent when a deposit is received.