The weather is warming up and plants are starting to bloom, so that means it’s time to hit the trails. There are some good walks this week as well as some very interesting trips coming up soon.Walkers in the Heidelberg area might want to go to Mossautal this weekend for its event. The doors to the Sporthalle on Güttersbacher Strasse open at 7 a.m. both days and the routes range from 5 to 30 kilometers. There are also a couple of permanent trails. Closing time is 5 p.m. both days. The walk is for IVV credit only.The event in Hermesdorf, northwest of Bitburg, will be convenient for walkers in the Eifel area. Start between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the 6- and 11-kilometer trails and 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the 15- and 20-kilometer treks. This event offers IVV credit only.In the Tri-border area, the walk in Cadier en Keer is the place to be on Sunday. Located east of Maastricht, this town is very close to the American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. The 10-, 15- and 25- kilometer trails start at 7:30 a.m. The 7-km trail starts at 9 a.m. This walk is for IVV credit only. Afterwards, you can visit the American Cemetery and then stop by a little cafe in Margraten for a drink and a Limburg vlai (a pie-like dessert with fillings) before the trip home. Cath Floyd from the Heidelberg International Wandering Club tells us about the club’s upcoming trip to Leipzig and Glauchau, Germany, on April 21-22. Cath says that Leipzig may have more to offer than you know, including “a history of trading routes, the second-oldest university in Germany, it is where the “peaceful revolution” started that led to the reunification of Germany in 1989, the composer J.S. Bach worked here and is buried in St. Thomas’ church, Goethe studied here, it has a large railway station with over 130 shops, and much more!
"The bus will head to Leipzig on Saturday, and you will have the rest of the day free. We will head for a volksmarch on Sunday in Glauchau (5-, 10- or 20-km trails) before heading back to Heidelberg. The trip costs 120 Euros (20 Euros single supplement). Please contact “Don adds that the closing date has been extended to April 15. We think you shouldn’t wait too long or the bus will be full." Contact Don Casper at Don.Casper1@t-online.de. A couple of years ago, Bob went on a “history blitz” that included an overnight stop in Leipzig. When his travel buddy suggested dinner at the train station, Bob was quite skeptical. It turned out to be a very pleasant surprise with all the shops and restaurants on several levels below the train station. If they were not careful, one could spend most of their time at the train station and forget about the rest of this wonderful city. On April 29, the Stuttgart German American Wandering Club will be going by bus to the walk in St. Peter-Glottertal. An excerpt from the club’s flier states, “St. Peter is the gateway to the Black Forest and its Monastery is a Baroque jewel. Situated along the Panama Road, this idyllic village is also a state-approved climatic health resort. Located on the plateau of the southern slopes of the Kandel, one of Germany’s highest mountains, the town provides a wonderful overview of the Glotter Valley and the Southern Black Forest Nature Park.”After the walk, they will head to Freiberg for sightseeing. Bob Gambert has told us about the permanent trail in Freiberg and how beautiful the city is and we’ve really wanted to see it. Alas, this is the weekend we are going to Scotland and we won’t be able to join the Stuttgart club. Maybe we’ll make it next time. In a recent email from the Stuttgart club, we understand this walk is so popular that they have added a second bus! Contact Dal Pettaway at dalcita@hotmail.com to sign up for a seat for this trip.We’ve received the flier for the Ramstein Roadrunner’s 36th Annual Walk. It will be May 5- 6, starting at the Mehrzweckhalle in Miesenbach. Routes will be from 5- to 20- kilometers. The main prize is a beer glass and there will also be B-medal edelweiss scarves available as long as quantities last. Mark your calendars now for this outstanding walk. There is still plenty of time to volunteer to work at this event too. There are about a thousand jobs to do and any and all volunteers are appreciated. Please contact Brad Crandall at (+49) (0) 6374-801179 for more information and to volunteer. You can get more information and even sign up to volunteer on their web site, va.org/clubs/ramsteinroadrunners. They also have a Facebook page.
Email volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO AE 09752.
