The weekly list of walks is getting longer, thus the opportunities to see Europe on foot are getting greater! What are the good walks this weekend?
How about one in Consdorf, Luxembourg, Sunday? It’s one of the prettiest walks we have ever done, and with the budding and blossoming of the plants; it should be even more beautiful than usual. If you go, you also can find out why they refer to the area as "Little Switzerland." It’s not only the hills, but also the caves and rock formations that make this a unique walk. The doors of the start hall open at 6:30 a.m.
Perhaps you want to break out your mountain bike and take it for a spin. In addition to walking-trails ranging from six to 50 kilometers, the event on Saturday and Sunday in Rhaunen, Germany, offers mountain-bike routes of 25, 35 and 50 kilometers. The start hall is at the Idarwaldhalle at Am Sonnenschlicher 5, and the doors open at 7 a.m. for the walking routes; 9 a.m. for the bike trails.
As a safety note, bikes are going to be out in force as the weather gets nicer. So whether you are in your car or out walking on a trail, keep an eye out — and your ears open — for cyclists.
In the Stuttgart area, the event in Freiberg am Neckar is a Stammtisch event for the Stuttgart German-American Wandering Club. Start the six-, 11- and 20-kilometer trails between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Look for the club’s blue flag in the Lugaufhalle and say hello to these enthusiastic walkers.
Sunday, there is a walk and swim event in Wiesbaden starting at the police academy at Schönbergstrasse 100. The walking routes start at 7 a.m., and you can hit the pool at 10 a.m. Be careful where you park; they might have just held the class on how to write parking tickets at the police academy!
Next Wednesday’s event in Hohenöllen is convenient for walkers and bikers in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. You can do your own biathlon with the walking trails ranging from five to 20 kilometers, followed by a 30-kilometer bike ride. You also can do just the walk or just the bike event. Doors open at 7 a.m.
Good luck to the Heidelberg International Wandering Club as they load up a bus and head to Amsterdam this weekend for walking and more. If we did not have other plans, we would be there with them. With the closure of the U.S. facilities in Heidelberg, the end of this storied walking club is near, but it’s not going out quietly! To find out more about the club and its remaining activities, visit www.hiwc.de.
Don’t forget the Kiddie Volksmarch set for April 27 at Patrick Henry Village. This activity sponsored by the Heidelberg club is targeted at kids up to age 12 in an effort to get them interested in volksmarching. The start and finish will be in front of the library, and you can start the 5 kilometer route from 9 a.m. until noon. There is no entrance fee, but an adult must accompany the children. Kids will receive a medal and certificate upon completion. For information or to volunteer, please email the the club’s vice president, Jeff Hunnewell, at hiwc@yahoo.com.
With the Ramstein Roadrunner’s spring walk coming up May 4 and 5, the call has gone out for volunteers. Please contact Brad or Lynne Crandall at: crandalb@yahoo.com or check out the Roadrunners’ Web page at www.ava.org/clubs/ramsteinroadrunners. This is always an outstanding volksmarch because the Roadrunners put 110% effort into it. As a result, lots of volunteer hands are needed. You can help them do it again this spring by donating a few hours of time. Please contact the Roadrunners and pitch in. The prize this year is a very nice looking coin with American and German flags on one side and the Roadrunner’s logo on the other. These will go fast, so get there early Saturday!
Email volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO AE 09752.
