Now that we’ve switched to the new Weekend format, we’ve been getting some feedback from volksmarch readers. Most who have written would prefer that our walk chart appear in the newspaper. Others don’t seem to know that the chart is available at all. For those folks, here’s a reminder: The chart is always posted on the web (legacy.stripes.com/military-life/travel/europe-travel) on Thursday and stays there the entire week.
As for those who would prefer that the chart appear in the paper, all we can say is that the newspaper has reorganized its content to provide as much variety as possible in print to appeal to its overall readership, while expanded lists and specialty content has moved to Stripes’ much-improved travel website, where an increasing number of readers go.
Keep the letters coming, or post your comments at the end of the column on the web, and we’ll keep monitoring the feedback.
• This week’s featured walk is in Bamberg, Germany. Start walking the 6- and 10-km trails between 6 a.m. and noon both Saturday and Sunday. The start is at the Lebenshilfe Bamberg, at the corner of Amreestrasse and Moosstrasse. The prize is a basket that is being held by a gardener.
• If you’re looking for a little garden troll, head to the walk in Oberauerbach, Germany. This walk is convenient for those of you in the Kaiserslautern Military Community.
• This weekend’s walk in Neuhausen is a Stammtisch walk for the Stuttgart German American Wandering Club. Look for their blue flag at a table in the start hall.
• If you’ve never been to Luxembourg, Saturday afternoon’s walk in Beaufort might be the walk for you. It is in a very pretty part of Luxembourg known as “Little Switzerland,” so be ready for some hills. It has a castle ruin to explore as well.
• You can combine a walk with some WWII history this weekend. The event in Belle- vaux, Belgium, is close to Battle of the Bulge museums in La Gleize, Poteau and Baugnez. The countryside is beautiful and the museums give an excellent portrayal of the fighting in the area. If you are in the area, we recommend that you visit at least one of these excellent museums.
• We also received our first flier of the year advertising a “Fackelwanderung,” or torch walk. It is in the town of Kützburg, Germany, on Sept. 18. If you are near the Schweinfurt area, this event will be both unique and convenient for you.
• We want to wish “Happy trails” to the Heidelberg International Wandering Club as they make a weekend trip to the Bamberg, Germany, walk. Also in their plans is a permanent trail in Oberthulba and a lunch stop at the Kloster Kreuzberg.
• Just had to laugh ... We recently received an envelope full of fliers from John and Mary Laub. We noticed that it took a month to be delivered. A message stamped on the enveloped said, “Missent to 09721 American Embassy in Moscow, Russia.” In spite of the late delivery, there were still plenty of good fliers, so thanks, John and Mary for the fliers. Thanks, postal service, for the giggle!
• A heartfelt “Grazie” goes to the loyal readers who send in the tons of flyers. This week they include: William Castro and Maureen McHugh-Castro; Richard and Donna Glenn; John and Evelyn Golembe; Wayne Henry; Nora Hernandez; Ramona and Horst Kechelen; John, Mary and Tess Laub; Tim and Luchi Lynch; “Pat” and Cheryl Patterson; and Nancy Shawley.
Clark Soeldner brings us up to date on the Italian volksmarching scene:
• “The walk at Villanova della Grotte is one of my personal favorites, going through the mountains that surround the Alta val Torre. Arrive early if you would like to avoid a warm-up hike to the start.”
• The longer route at the Castelvecchio di Valdagno walk has some serious grades. This walk is in conjunction with a fest in the afternoon and evening.
• The prize at the Albaredo d’Adige walk is a half-pound of nodini d’amore and a half-pound of fettuccini.
E-mail volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09752.
