Wednesday, Oct. 3, is a national holiday in Germany. The Day of German Unity commemorates the anniversary of German reunification in 1990. As a result, there are several walks that day.
It’s also the day for the Cystic Fibrosis fund-raising drive known as Deutschland Wander — Deutschland Hilft (Germany Walks — Germany Helps). Many clubs, in coordination with the German walking association, the DVV, have pledged a percentage from each walker’s 1.50 euro start fee to the German Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Here’s a chance to take a walk that is not only healthy for you, but will also improve the health of someone else.
One of these walks will take you through Germany’s oldest city, Trier. It has been a while since the Trier club has had a walk through the city. It usually has routes in the hills and forests above the town, so this is a chance to see some of the city’s historical sites. The start is at the MPG/AVG hall at Sichelstrasse 3. There is a parking garage Parkhaus Ostallee nearby on the street Ostallee. Start the routes between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Another Wednesday walk is a guided walk in Lenzkirch, Germany. The 5- and 10-kilometer walks start at 10 a.m. at the Brauerei Rogg at Bonndorferstrasse 61. At the end of the walk you can take a free tour of the brewery.
For an event this weekend, we recommend Sunday’s walk in Vianden, Luxembourg. Routes range from six to 30 kilometers and the doors open at 6 a.m. With the pretty fall colors and the beautiful castle, it should be a very nice walk. There is a very good chance that the trails will take you into the hills, so be ready. After the walk, visit the castle.
We will be sticking close to home this weekend. With the walk in Lanaken being very close to Maastricht, Netherlands, we might hit the flea market near the Maastricht train station in conjunction with the walk Saturday. Sunday, we’ll choose between the walk in Stein, which is very close, and the walk farther away in Margraten. Decisions, decisions! We’ll let you know.
If you’re lucky, you still might be able to grab a seat on the Ramstein Roadrunners’ bus trip to Allenbach and Piesport on Saturday, Oct. 13. Gene Behrends tells us, “We will start by joining the Allenbach club for a walk in the lovely Hunsrück. Then we’ll head downhill to the town of Piesport on the Mosel for Federweissen and Zwiebelkuchen at its annual wine fest. Piesport is home to the largest Roman wine press discovered north of the Alps. We plan to depart from the Ramstein North Chapel parking lot at 9 a.m. and return about 7:30 p.m. In addition, if there are any walkers from Baumholder to sign up, we will pick them up at the Freisen Park and Ride. The cost is $35 for club members and $45 for non-members.”
Gene is the contact for this event. You can reach him at the following numbers in Germany: 0637-146-8875 (home) or 0170-367-1573 (cell). You can also reach him by email at parrotdad@hotmail.com .
Email volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO AE 09752.
