Click here for this week’s European Volksmarch schedule.
One of our favorite volksmarch experiences was a trip to Wiessbad, near Appenzell, Switzerland, with the Heidelberg International Wandering Club in August 2007. It has been our only volksmarch in Switzerland and we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend this year, and according to Lori Culbert of the Heidelberg Club, we missed a trip that was bigger and better than ever.
Writing in the September Heidelberg International Wandering Club Newsletter, Lori says the weather in Weissbad was not as nice as 2007, but she and her husband were at a control point and were able to stay dry during the worst part of the rain. After the walk, several members went into the town of Appenzell for window-shopping and Swiss fondue. After spending the night in Brülisau, the group took the bus to Liechtenstein, where they completed a 10-kilometer permanent trail. This particular trail had written instructions — in German — on how to follow the route. There were three control points that asked questions that had to be answered to receive credit for completing the walk. This trail also took them past a castle. A group picture in the newsletter shows happy walkers on a beautiful day in Liechtenstein.
The underlying theme of Lori’s article is one of equal parts of fun, friendship and adventure while walking in Europe. It closes by saying that traveling with the HIWC is not only inexpensive but also a fun-filled way to see Europe that "makes for a wonderful family outing." We are looking forward to the 2009 edition of this trip and hope that it is as much fun as the 2008 trip.
We often mention the fun of Fackelmarches, or torch walks, but often find them hard to attend due to schedule conflicts or extreme distances. On Nov. 22, we will be on the bus with other members of the HIWC to attend the torch walk in Gundelfingen, Germany. With this being an evening walk, the first part of the day will be spent at a nearby glass factory and some factory outlet stores. For more information on this trip or one to the Brussels Christmas market, as well as proposed trips to Paris, Rothenburg and Berchtesgaden, see the HIWC Web page at www.hiwc.de. The HIWC also will be at the holiday bazaar at Patrick Henry Village in Heidelberg Nov. 7-10. They will have some of their beautiful beer mugs for sale — think inexpensive Christmas presents — and would love to talk volksmarching with you.
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Here are a few more walks to mark on your calendars.
• Nov. 29: Colmar, France. An evening illumination walk.
• Dec. 6: Metz, France. Another evening illumination walk. This is a 10k route through Metz when it is lit up for Christmas. It’s a gorgeous city to see lit up, and there usually are food and drink booths.
• Dec. 7: Alt-Hurth, Germany. This is a volksmarch and Christmas market; what a combination!
• Dec. 13: Dörrebach, Germany. After the walk, drive to Bingen and take the ferry to Rüdesheim and visit a great Christmas market.
• Dec. 13: Erstein, France. A night walk through the illuminated city.
There will be more details on these walks in the Thursday column before the walk. If you know of a holiday walk, or another interesting walk coming up, please drop us an e-mail at two.walkers@yahoo.com.
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Both of this weekend’s featured walks are convenient for the folks near Stuttgart. On Saturday, you can walk in Kleinglattbach, northwest of Stuttgart. The start is at the Halle am See, and you can start the five-, 10- and 20-kilometer routes between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. There is also a marathon route that can be started between 7 and 9 a.m. Then on Sunday you can walk in Böblingen. Start the six-, 11- and 20-kilometer distances between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sponsors have dropped the 30k route this year. The prize for this walk is a B-medal.
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Miscellaneous notes about this week’s volksmarch events:
• The prize at the walk in Orti di Bonavigo, Italy, is a half-pound of tortellini and a half-pound of tagliatelle.
• The start for the Cellatica, Italy, walk is the Cantina Cooperativa Cellatica Gussago.
• S. Eusebio, Italy, is a suburb of Bassano del Grappa. Bassano is always worth a visit.
E-mail volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09703-0278.