Oh I love to go a wandering...

Having the Black Forest in your backyard definately has its perks. I really don't utilize its vicinity enough, but on occassion I do go for hikes and such. During the summer while in the field, we camped right at the entrance to an area called the Wutachtschlucht, a rather narrow ravine through which the Wutacht River flows. I had always wanted to go hiking in there, but after a long day mouse hunting we never really had the energy for a long hike. This last weekend, I finally got the opportunity to check it out with Hanna, Maria und Schwabi. Maria and Schwabi are from Bavaria (as you can tell from the Bavarian walking hat he's wearing) and although they make an effort to speak high German for me, I still have to ask sometimes what they're talking about or else I just smile and nod ;-).

Mary Elizabeth

When hiking in Germany, you generally don't stay on a hiking trail. You use forest roads, cross high ways, walk through what feels like peoples' backyards, etc... but this trail stayed (almost) true all the way to where we turned around. It was a lovely kick off for the season of summer activities. I'll certainly be more motivated to explore there this summer, exhausted from the mouse hunt or not!

- Libby