Click here for this week’s European Volksmarch schedule.
The commander of U.S. Army Garrison Heidelberg, Col. Robert J. Ulses, invites readers to participate in the 33rd International Volksmarch on Saturday and Sunday.
His invitation says, “Whether you enjoy walking through the towns and forest, or running in the hills above Heidelberg, this Volksmarch has something for everyone. The [Heidelberg International Wandering Club] always attends meticulously to every detail, so come out and participate in a great German tradition.”
The club will award Commander’s Cup trophies to the organizations with the most participants. So walkers are urged to attend with units and guidons.
The start and finish of the march will be at the International Gesamtschule behind Nachrichten Kaserne (the U.S. Army hospital). The 10- and 20-kilometer trails will meander through the forests and fields in the hills above Heidelberg, passing by the Ehrenfriedhof Memorial. The monument honors soldiers from the Heidelberg area who died during both World Wars and offers a marvelous panorama of the city. A new 5k route is flat and stroller friendly. The 20k route will take you past the castle.
Expect good food and traditional German music both days. This year’s beer stein will have a beautiful color picture of the Königstühl on the front. Last year’s stein is available if you get there early enough. For more information, contact Rob Floyd at 06227-841226 or by e-mail at HIWC@yahoo.com.
Be sure to buy food and drink tickets before your walk. That way, when you return to the start hall you can go directly to the food line and avoid the ticket line. Also be sure you take your camera because you never know what you will see. Two years ago there were four or five men jogging while herding about 50 cows along one stretch of road.(Bob took that to be an omen of a victory for the Texas Longhorns that weekend.)We’ll be there Saturday, so say hello and we’ll talk Volksmarching.
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This week it seems appropriate to highlight the Heidelberg club.
Address: Heidelberg International Wandering Club (HIWC), CMR 419, Box 1915, APO AE 09102; or HIWC, Postfach 101164, 69001 Heidelberg.
E-mail: hiwc@yahoo.com. Web site: www.hiwc.de. Public relations director: Patty Deland
Membership meetings: 7 p.m. on second Monday of each month at the SG Gasthaus, Oftersheim, Hockenheimer Strasse 1.
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Readers Tim and Luchi Lynch sent us an after-action report on a permanent Volksmarch in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, a beautiful village on the Nahe River. Tim writes: “The start location is the city’s tourist information office, next to the river and the Kurhaus. The walk was longer than the 11k we got credit for, but worth the effort. Lots of sights, including many, many salt walls in the Salinental, the city’s public swimming pool, then up the hill to the castle ruins. The sights down into the medieval village from there are fabulous.
“Once back in town, you’ll walk through numerous [squares] and churches. The highlight is the Nahe River and the bridge houses over the river. From there it’s less than a kilometer back to the start hall.
“When you purchase start cards, have your parking ticket validated and pay a flat parking fee (either 2 euros or 4 euros for all day). After you’re finished, have a beer at one of the cafes along the river.”
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A great big “thank you” to this week’s contributors: Mary Campbell; William Castro and Maureen McHugh-Castro; Manfred Dahl; Bob Gambert; Lew Harrison; Egon Hatfield; Wayne Henry; Jan and John Jensen; Ramona and Horst Kechelen; James Kelly; David Kuik; Tim and Luchi Lynch; John and Patty Marsh; Pat Patterson; Mary Jo Piccin; Dawn St. John; Nancy Shawley; and Jose Valdez.
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Notes about this week’s events:
• A 60-centimeter scarecrow is the souvenir at Strass im Zillertal, Austria. For bike enthusiasts, there are “out and back” bike trails. Peddle to Kaltenbach and back for the 30k, to Zell am Ziller and back for the 46k or to Mayrhofen and back for the 64k. You can stop in any of these towns and take the train back to the start hall.
• If you are in the Stuttgart area, you might want to warm up for the Heidelberg walk by attending the Friday walk in Schorndorf. You can start between 2 and 5:30 p.m. and finish by 9 p.m.
• The start for the Treponti di Teolo, Italy, walk is Nel Piazzale della Chiesa di Bresseo.
• The control for the walk in Bovolone, Italy, is a surprise. Get a stamp to receive the award: either rice or doughnuts.
E-mail Volksmarch schedule information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09703-0278.
