|
Trail Tales
|
Trail Tales
Presidents Day Weekend 2004
(aka FloraBama) by Bonnie T., Capitol Volkssport Club of Olympia, Washington The Tuckers want to go on record with their compliments and thanks to the clubs who sponsored the successful Florabama events of the previous soggy weekend. This was our introduction to volksmarching along the Gulf Coast. We enjoyed the events in Orange Beach, AL, and Perdido Key, FL. We tried to select the events in both locations, which would provide the greatest variety. I, beachcomber that I am, walked every step I could on the Gulf Coast beaches, collecting seashells along the way. We flew into Mobile a few days before Florabama and enjoyed YRE's in Mobile and three Mississippi towns -- Biloxi, Ocean Springs, and Bay St. Louis. We went on in the rain to explore the Emerald Coast of the Florida Panhandle and do more beach walking. One day of particularly heavy rain we especially enjoyed visiting the National Naval Air Museum in Pensacola. A couple days later we returned to walk the interesting YRE which starts at the museum. We also enjoyed the Historic Pensacola YRE, as well as the great volksmarch at Fort Pickens. After Florabama we did a couple more very interesting YRE's, sponsored by the Pensacola club--Big Lagoon State Park and Blakeley Historic State Park at Spanish Fort, AL. Both were outstanding nature walks, with fascinating Civil War history at the fort. Thanks to the three clubs involved with Florabama -- Capital City Wanderers of AL, Georgia Walkers, and the Pensacola Volksmarch Club. We enjoyed the great Southern hospitality, had fun meeting other eager walkers (some from the WalkList), and liked the food. How about that fresh shrimp, as well as the hush puppies and grits? In addition, it was really
fun learning about Mardi Gras. The Pensacola Club used that theme
in their decorations and their goodie bags. They provided King
Cakes, doubloons, moon pies, and beads, as Thanks again and hope to see y'all in the sunshine next time!
Presidents Day Weekend 2004
(aka FloraBama) by Andy H., Houston Happy Hikers Sometimes you have good event weather and sometimes . . . well, let me just say . . . sometimes, you just have to be a dedicated "volks eventer". We departed Houston in a downpour and took it all the way with us to Orange Beach, AL (with a night stopover in Gulfport, MS [Gulfport or Biloxi . . . within 14 miles of each other and same evening "activity" at both ends of the beach . . . not exactly like Lost Wages, NV but same effect . . . maybe fresher seafood in the buffets]). Then, the front stalled out, so wet and cold (better than the cold and snow up North, but bad enough for my thin Houston blood . . . 40s and 50s). Even so, the gallant host groups from Montgomery, AL area, (Capital City Wanderers), Atlanta, GA area (Georgia Walkers), and Pensacola, FL area (Pensacola Volksmarch Club) were ready and waiting. AL and GA at Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, AL and FL at Perdido Bay, FL. ["G", "O", and "P" in your A-Z book]. We didn't get in a lot of events
. . . but they were all under overcast skies. Surprisingly, and
despite weather forecasts from both Mobile and Pensacola TV stations,
there was precipitation for only about 1.5 days. A couple of
walks up and down the beach highway from Orange Beach (options
to be on the beach). Also, out into the housing areas, after
wandering around city hall and a museum. Down to Gulf Shores
for some walks along the beach and out into town and a Meanwhile, over in Perdido Bay, same weather . . . but also the opportunity to stop in the Florabama Bar at the state line during the traverse. The poor construction paper black cats didn't hold up too well in the sprinkle, during the Black Cat walk on Friday the 13th. We took the opportunity to walk into some new housing. Talked to the developer and decided the price was too high for an immediate down payment! However, the cookout still went on, providing some "cozy" dining under the tents. More opportunity for beach walking and house looking. I decided to forego the Gulf swim (with or without wet suit) but did do the four 300 meter swims in the Hilton Garden Inn Pool . . . one of those indoor/outdoor pools. The indoor part *was* warmer than the outdoor part but I will say the jacuzzi afterwards was warmest of all. Certainly had to find a good counting method . . . 104 lengths of the pool. Good crowd at the Meet N Greet at Orange Beach on Saturday night. The "Head Tater" and her "Tater Tots" were there with Tater Tours. They started in Austin, TX and were able to "experience" rain in several southwest and southern states and capitals. Nice door prizes and one birthday cake. So, while not the nice weather of two years ago, still a lot of fun and lots of exercise. Thanks again to the 3 host clubs. Good job!
Presidents Day Weekend 2004
(aka FloraBama) by Dick F., Rowan Roamers Dick Feldman says he and Winnie, after driving 13 hours from their North Carolina home to the Gulf of Mexico Coast where Alabama and Florida meet, did "9 walks for 77 kilometers, 4 swims, and had some of the finest fish dinners that the coast had to offer" during the 2004 Presidents Day Weekend.
Presidents Day Weekend 2004
(aka FloraBama) by Becky A. of Ohio I second Andy's comments. (It was nice to finally meet you in person and I am glad you made it home okay, Andy!) We really had a great time in spite of the weather. It was a still better than NW Ohio where we have piles of snow and ice left over from January's storms. The weather did not keep me from completing 26 events during the trip. We did two YRE's in Pensacola on Tuesday, the Historic Downtown walk and Fort Pickens. The sun was shining and it was nearly 60 degrees, the way Florida is supposed to be! I am glad we could spend the extra day and get in some more events. Many thanks to the Capital
City Walkers of Alabama, Georgia Walkers and Pensacola Volksmarch
Club. We really appreciated the friendly Southern Hospitality.
All of the workers were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Many of them were calling us by name by the end of the weekend.
This is how Volkssporting should be . . . fun! I wish everyone
could remember that! This is a great example of clubs working
together for the promotion of We are already looking forward to Floribama 2005 (and we still have jet lag from Floribama 2004!)
Presidents Day Weekend 2004
(aka FloraBama) by Martha H., Publicity, Pensacola Volksmarch Club Lack of Sunshine Didn't Dampen
Events of Presidents Day Weekend 2004 Raindrops kept falling on their heads, but the wet weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the walkers who attended the Volksmarch Events on President's Weekend at Perdido Key. The Pensacola Volksmarch Club registered participants from 28 states and two foreign countries. Visitors and club members alike enjoyed the fat bratwursts steaming on the grill and served up with potato salad, cole slaw and baked beans. Local club members brought an array of home-cooked desserts, which provided a sweet finale to the meal. No Florida sunshine was in evidence throughout the long weekend, but true Volksmarchers never stop because of chilling rain and wind. They walked, biked and swam in approximately 479 events, beginning with the Black Cat walk on Friday the 13th which had 71 participants, and completing their final events on Monday. Local businesses donated meals and treasures to be drawn for the walkers, and the club sponsor, New Balance, donated 8 pairs of shoes for the drawing. Club members greeted old friends and made some new ones as they walked for fun, fitness and awards. A hearty "Thank you!" to everyone from the Pensacola Volksmarch Club for making our Presidents Weekend a huge success. Let's do it again next year!
2004 2004 --- A Great Healthy Start to the New Year is our annual New Year's Day walk that has grown larger each year! We have walked in sunshine, rain, wind, and cold over the last 3 years. This year gave us perfect walking weather -- sunny and breezy. Our hosts Al and Hannah Boyd were all set up in the Gulf State Park (Gulf Shores, Alabama) and quickly got everyone out on the trail. Thanks to some super publicity we had 40 walkers, 2 non-walk visitors, and 4 dogs walk this great trail on paved roads through wooden areas and around the lake. Everyone, including many new walkers, enjoyed this kick-off to 2004 and were home in time for ham and blackeye peas, football games, and planning for the next events: Sunday afternoon walks on Perdido Key, Florida leading up to the 4-day walk over Presidents Day Weekend February 13 through 16, 2004. Come walk for your health, the social interaction, or just for the fun of it! See you on the trail! |
Pensacola Volksmarch Club
Volksmarchers
are OPTIMISTS