Click here for this week’s European Volksmarch schedule.
As promised last week, here is more information on the upcoming Stuttgart volksmarch. It was submitted by H. Wayne Henry of the Stuttgart German-American Wandering Club.
"The SGAWC hosts its 34th annual walk on July 26-27 in Heumaden, just north of the Stuttgart airport and Kelley Barracks. This year’s walk meanders through the fields and woods between Stuttgart, Esslingen and the airport. There are sweeping views to the Schwabian Alps. You may also see a castle or two in the distance. During the pre-walks, we saw fields of rhubarb, wheat, oats, corn and rapeseed (canola) as well as orchards.
"All of the longer trails return along a valley north of A8 and follow a creek for a good while before heading back up to the finish. The 20- and 30-kilometer trails head toward Esslingen and the Neckar, with views back toward Stuttgart. The new 30-kilometer trail reaches the Neckar and goes into the village of Esslingen before heading back up to meet the other trails."
Thanks, Wayne, for the rundown. We’ll give start times and other specifics the week of the walk.
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While you’re marking the Stuttgart walk on the calendar, also make note of these walks. There will be more information as the walks draw nearer:
• July 19-20, Xhoffraix, Belgium
• Aug. 3, Ettelbruck, Luxembourg
• Aug. 9-10, Bamberg, Germany
• Aug. 9-10, Oberwesel-Langscheid, Germany
• Aug. 16-17, Bellevaux, Belgium
• Aug. 16-17, Crailsheim, Germany
• Aug. 16-17, Tiefenbach, Germany
• Aug. 23-24, Appenzell, Switzerland
• Aug. 31, Echternach, Luxembourg
• Aug. 31, Bitche, France
• Sept. 6-7, Heidelberg, Germany
• Sept. 13-14, Plombières, Belgium
• Sept. 13-14, St. Vith, Belgium.
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Permanent-change-of-station season is upon us, and we hate to see Mike and Pam Medolo leaving Europe. Mike and Pam sent us an e-mail that shares our feelings about volksmarching. They wrote, "There is no better way to get to know Germany, its culture and its people than by socializing and walking with them. We’ve met some wonderful people through this sport and have gotten to see parts of 15 countries, too. To our volksmarching friends and club members, we want to say thank you for your friendship and for the support you gave us, and we hope to see you on the trail again soon."
Mike and Pam … we will miss you!
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The walks this weekend at Malmedy and Trois Ponts, Belgium, combine to make one of our favorite walking doubleheaders. This is in the heart of the Battle of the Bulge area. Two years ago Bob did these walks and enjoyed both thoroughly. The town of Trois Ponts had a citywide flea market and we’re hoping they have it again this year. Between the walks, drive to the nearby village of Baugnez to check out the new Historical Center in honor of the American prisoners of war murdered there in 1944. Please note that the walk in Trois Ponts is Saturday only. The Malmedy walk is both Saturday and Sunday.
If you add the walk in nearby Rodt on Saturday, you might be able to do three walks in one day. All three are in the heart of the Ardennes. Sounds like a great day of walking!
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Notes about this week’s events:
• The walk in Sohren, Germany, is in the beautiful Hunsrück region and is convenient to those in the Eifel and Baumholder areas.
• At Manderbach, Germany, you might be able to pick up one of last year’s vases as a B-medal.
• If you like mountain walks, don’t miss the Vedronza di Luserva, Italy, event. It is in the Alta Val Torre. The 23k trail will have two fairly stout ups and downs.
• The Chatillon, Italy, walk is another good mountain hike. You will receive 40 kilometers credit for the 30-kilometer trail due to the ups and downs.
E-mail volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09703-0278.
