Weekend Hike and future weekends agenda

This weekend was a totally spontaneous event that a few guys and I came up with. We had dubbed Sundays as hiking days but this weekend we took it to a whole new level. Saturday morning, bright and early, I and 6 other guys took a Manhike into the german forests. Naturally, we did everything the manliest we men know how to..got lost, didnt ask for directions, used the sun as our compass, and then some. The first day we came across a few hidden gems of the surrounding areas including monuments deep in the forest, a mausoleum, and plenty of wildlife. We hit a few small towns, (which, had little to no people outside) between forest stretches on our way to our final goal which was a straight 15km drive from town, but a bit further of a hike...up mountainsides, through brush, and as off-the-beaten-path as we men could make it. Luckily the occupants of German towns are nice enough to plant fruit trees along our voyage. We scavenged up pears, apples, and plums during the journey for instant energy and morale boosts. On day 1 (saturday) we climbed up to an observation tower that let us see how far we had come. With almost clear air and some mountains in our way, we werent able to quite see our town but oh my was it a view.



Much of the journey had already occured,but the adventure was about to begin. at about 3 p.m. and a long day of hiking we decided to take the shortcut straight down the mountain. 70% grade and lots of loose leaves was a fun slide/hike which led us to a hidden cave. about 3 feet wide and 50 feet deep, it was a fun little voyage into the side of the mountain that probably is known to few if any people. The last small town we ran into on day 1 was where we were to set up camp. Since nobody was around, we took the first opportunity to ask a nice woman sitting outside of her vets office is there was a place to eat. Coincidentally she spoke english and was probably the only person in the town who did. She told us that the restaurant was just down the street. Well, a few km later we found it and knew it was the right one because of the name but sheesh she made it seem closer.



After a pig leg and a big fat beir we needed to find somewhere to sleep. We planned on camping in the forest but didnt see anything on our map quite secluded enough. We hiked for a couple of km to a rediculously secluded spot on the top of a mountain which turned out to be a deer hunting post. We set up camp, prepared a fire, and set back down the mountain into town to have a drink at the restau/bar. 10:30 rolls in and its pitch black. We walked a few km down the secluded road and found the cigarette box we used to mark our entrance into the monotonous treeline. using 2 small flashlights and manpower, we made it the few hundred yards up the mountain in the night to our welcoming campsite. We lit up the fire, and grabbed our snacks and had one hell of a manly night. Luckily the clearing was covered in moss, but that wasnt much help when the temp dropped to a shivering temp. Everyone was awake (those who were lucky enough to fall asleep in the first place) by 4 am. All we needed was a few more layers and then we all went back to sleep. 7:30 rolls in and we pack up, put out the fire, and sluggishly (of all the bugs around us at night, wed expect to have been covered, but im the one who ends up with a slug in my pocket when we wake up) continue our journey.



A few minutes into our journey home and we come across a pack of wild boars. Although cute, ive heard they are quite the ravages so we decided to keep our distance and let them be. Shortly after, we came across a breed of beautiful deer that i had never seen before (i only see white tail where im from but this was absolutely beautiful). The scenery and atmosphere was amazing, with ever changing trees and plantlife. We finally exit the last major forest and find another small town with, again, nobody around. After another hours hike, we got back into Marburg and the 7 of us seemingly shared a moment of awe. As someone who loves hiking but has never done a full immersive nature experience, seeing a large town was a shock...and by large i mean the quaint town of marburg. We all sort of stood there for a minute or two and just wished we could be back in the beauty and simplicy of nature. All in all it was a great experience and i feel much more connected with the history, wildlife, and the land of germany.

As for the next few weekends. The weekend of the 27-28 may very well consist of a visit to both my exchange students Simon and Rebecca in the Rheinland Pfalz area of Germany (south west).

The Oktoberfest trip is now final for the 3rd of Oktober and it looks like im going for 1 day with a group of 20 ish people. Well see how it turns out.

Ater roughing in the forest, and all the other experiences ive had, my theme for this trip seems to be this: Everything always ends up fine in the end. I just replay the Marley song in my head and I simply don't worry.