Well, folks, the end of an era is upon us. For the past five years we have received all of our volksmarch information for walks in Italy from Clark Soeldner in Aviano. He sent the same information to our predecessor for at least another five years. Clark didn’t mail us fliers like our other contributors; he took the time to send an email for each walk with all of the information we needed for the column, as well as his personal notes on each walk. He did this to make sure to avoid the possibility of the walk information being lost or delayed in the mail.
Over the years, we have become friends with Clark. We first met when he drove to Rothenburg in February for the big volksmarch. Then in April, we had visited him in Aviano and went on two volksmarches with him. Clark, we will miss you. We wish you the best as you head back home. May you find many new and exciting volksmarches in the U.S.
• For a good “two-fer” Saturday, head to Belgium. In the morning, walk in Montenau, with routes of 6-, 10- or 20-kilometers. Afterward, drive just 14 kilometers to Bellevaux for its afternoon walk. Starting at 2 p.m., Bellevaux offers routes of 6- and 12-kilometers. There are many hills in the area, and it’s easy to work up a thirst and an appetite. So you might want to visit the local brewery, the Brasserie De Bellevaux (open 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.). We have taken the tour of the brewery and really enjoyed it. With the beautiful fall colors, we just might be heading to Belgium this weekend!
• Sunday you can walk in Böblingen. Start the 5- and 10-kilometer distances between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. The prize is a B-medal, but you might be able to get one of last year’s stuffed dogs. This walk is a Stammtisch walk for the Stuttgart club. Look for its blue flag at the start hall.
• Another one of our favorite walks is in Gulpen, Netherlands, this Sunday. The De Veldlopers club from Gulpen is hosting its 49th Castle and Monument Walk. Start the 5- and 10- kilometer routes between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., the 15- and 20- kilometer routes between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., and the 35k route between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. You can expect plenty of hills in this area of the Netherlands. The start hall is at the Ontmoetingscentrum de Timpaan.
• There are a couple of walks in the area of the Kaiserslautern Military Community this weekend: Hohenöllen is about 34 kilometers north. You can walk there both Saturday and Sunday starting at 8 a.m. About 80 kilometers north of Kaiserslautern is Morbach. The walk there starts both days at 7:30 a.m. Both of events are for IVV credit only.
• The annual Bastogne Historical Walk (not IVV sanctioned) is several weeks away, but it’s time to start thinking about attending. This year the walk is Dec. 10, but there will be various activities starting Friday night and running through Sunday.
The city of Bastogne will sponsor the event again this year. From what we have been told, pre-registration will not be available online this year. Registration will take place Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before the walk. With the large number of walkers, that means the start hall will be very crowded Saturday morning, so get there early. The walk starts at 8 a.m. at the sports center. Routes will be routes of 7, 13 and 22 kilometers.
E-mail volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09752.
