Mom and me

Looks like this was during one of our Volksmarches.

Taking a break along the trail. We really walk our butts off sometimes.

Rather Muddy

Here's the good news: it's a little bit warmer lately. So I'm really happy, and excitedly running back and forth as we wander down the trail.

Here's the bad news: It makes for a messy volksmarch (especially when you are low to the ground like me)



So you can bet I'll be in for a bath, I'm quite sure.

In the vineyard

Yeah, it was pretty cool walking through the vineyards. Thankfully, the big "uphill" was at the beginning of the walk.

Did I mention it was steep?



And then there are the crazy ones ...

Now this is more like it

This is what I'm talking about! Notice Mom and Alpha are wearing only a sweater (or less). What a beautiful day for a volksmarch!

And what a cool place. Walking right through the middle of a vineyard. We'll have to check this out again in the summer, when the grapes are growing.

Sometimes fields, sometimes woods

These volksmarches usually takes us over wide expanses of fields, which is nice during the winter, at least when it's sunny.

But other times they take us through groves of trees, which are waiting to be harvested. Man, check out that collection of future wooden beams.

These Germans sure do know how to steward their resources.

Volksmarching machine

Well, we are really getting into the Volksmarching thing. Another day, another 11 km!

And while it looks pretty cold and foreboding out there, at least it was nice and sunny.

Check me out -- I'm such a noble beasty.

Not just fair-weather walkers

Sometimes it's sunny ....

.... and sometimes is cold, raining, muddy, slushy, icy and treacherously slippery!

But that just shows our level of dedication (on Day #2 of our Volksmarching opportunity).

I finished up just like a wet, cold rat. But Mom and Alpha had towels in the car, and they gave me a vigourous rub-down to make sure I was dry and warm. They are too good to me ;-)

Walking on air

Check this out. I'm having so much fun on my Volksmarch that, I'm actually walking on air!

Can you see it? Yep, that's me levitating ... just an amazing pooch!

Guess what we did?

It was soooo cool. We went Volksmarching! What is that, you ask?

Well, each weekend, in a different town somewhere in Germany (actually, in other countries as well), the IVV lays out some courses through the fields and woods (usually 5K, 10K, and 20K). Then you meet at the designated location and time, buy your ticket, and then take a walk (or some people run). Lots of people do this in Germany. It's a family activity, and a good way to get exercise (not that I need that, mind you).

Then at the end, you get little booklets stamped, and eventually after you've done lots of Volksmarches and/or lots of kilometers, you get a pin or badge or something -- we don't really know. But that's what my parents are after. They are pin collectors.

So hurry up Alpha -- you are holding up the show! (BTW, today we walked 11 km.)