Wednesday Walking - Favorite Place Close to Home

The college campus near our home is a great place to walk. I won't say it's my absolute favorite place but it's close and that makes it very convenient.

It's also a diverse place with plenty of sidewalks, a quarter mile track and walking trails through the woods. There's also a lovely pond where the geese and ducks live year round.

A beautiful place to walk at sunset.

Do you have a favorite walking place close to home?

Tips and Tricks for Walking the Cinque Terre - Monterossa to Vernazza

The Cinque Terre (CHINK-weh-Tay-reh) in Italy is a series of five small fishing villages connected by cliff side trails and a railroad line. Walking the trails of this UNESCO World Heritage site offers spectacular high up views of the Ligurian Sea and the jeweled  colored villages below.

The village of Vernazza 

Before heading out be aware of the fact the trails can be haphazardly closed at any given time. Too wet or slippery, a rock slide or trail maintenance is often the cause of these closures. When we were there in November there was only one trail open and that was between Monterossa and Vernazza. All five villages could be visited by train but only these two were accessible by the trail We didn't know this until the morning we bought our tickets at the Levanto train station, To be safe check the website before making plans. 

To check for trail closing click here to visit Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre. You'll find an interactive map showing all the trails in the park system.

You'll Need a Ticket 

We bought our ticket at the train station in Levanto where they have a special window just for the Cinque Terre. Apparently the price can vary depending on what's going on but the day we visited we paid 12 euro for each person to walk the trail with unlimited use of the train. The very nice English speaking agent made it clear that we had to write our full name on the ticket or take a chance on getting fined. We did as we were told but we never saw anyone who looked remotely interested in whether or not we even had a ticket!

A Most Challenging Trail!

I would describe the trail from Monterossa to Vernazz a as very challenging. When you leave Montersossa you'll have to climb a series of stone staircases. Lots of stairs. Not just a few stairs but LOTS OF STAIRS and they go straight UP! At one point the stairs seemed to have no end. All I could think of was the song "Stairway to Heaven". 

Fortunately the stairs ended and we were on a fairly flat trail. (OK sort of flat)

Parts of the trail were very narrow.

We came across a small waterfall and creek and a stone bridge.

Steady climb up on an uneven, rocky trail.

In some places the trail went up and then back down. 

It's time for a snack!

And more uneven, rocky trail...

The trail is quite difficult but if you're in reasonable good health it should be doable. I'm in good health and walk a lot but I'm certainly no athlete and I made it!  Just take your time climbing and enjoy the views, the vineyards, flowers, cactus and the cats. Lots of variety on this trail! 

Looking back on Monterossa

Huge, beautiful cactus growing on the rocky cliffs.

and can you believe it? 

A cat sanctuary on the trail. Complete with houses and food and water! 

We even found a geocache in a small cave on the trail.

And Just in Case

Signs like this are posted at intervals on the trail in case of emergency. Of course you need a cell phone...

WC, toilet, bathroom? Whatever you call it you won't find one on the trail...

The Reward for Our Efforts

Our first view of Vernazza!

Now we just have to get down there...

The trail down into Vernazza didn't have as many stairs as there were coming up from Monterossa. It took us about 2 hours to walk the trail. That included a few stops for photos, to have a snack and to find a couple of geocaches. 

If you're ever in the area don't pass up a chance to walk this trail. The climb is something else but the reward is so worth it. Just to be able to say "I did it!" is a pretty good reward. 

What to Bring

• I wore hiking boots but a good walking shoe would be fine.
• Carry water 
• A little snack might be nice
• Sunscreen and a hat - especially in the summer
• Camera to record all the wonderful sights
• A hiking stick is nice but not necessary

Wednesday Walking - Seaton Creek Historic Preserve

This is where I share the favorite place we walked this past week.

It's amazing to me how we keep finding these neat little places to walk right near home. Saturday we found just such a place. 

Seaton Creek Historic Preserve

Seaton Creek Historic Preserve is an 800+ acre preserve located near Thomas Creek. The preserve has 5 miles of trails that criss-cross through a sandy pine forest, a beautiful hardwood hammock, a marsh area, and by several slow moving creeks. Seaton Creek is part of the Timucuan Trail Parks Foundation.

The preserve is located not too far from a major Interstate highway and yet we didn't hear any traffic noise. Just  birds singing in the trees. It was so quiet it was almost eerie. We didn't even see any other people until we were leaving and we met another couple who had just pulled into the parking area. 

One of several small creeks that meander through the park.

I actually did a double take when I saw this historical marker. Most battles fought around here are from the Civil War era. I was surprised to see this was the site of an American Revolutionary War battle. Apparently the southern most battle of the war. Who knew?

This area was the site of the Battle of Thomas Creek on  May 17, 1777. It is considered to be the southernmost battle of the American Revolution.

The palmetto is a fan palm that is native to southern Georgia and all of Florida.

It grows profusely in sandy soil and at the base of pine and hardwood trees. It was abundant in the preserve and allowed to grown naturally. It's the bane of most Florida homeowners who work diligently to get rid of it. Doesn't usually work as they come right back! The reason that most homeowners don't like the palmetto is the belief that they make a perfect home for snakes. 

True or not I don't know but we did come across this little guy on the trail.

He's just an innocent little garden snake minding his own business. We let him cross the trail in front of us and take shelter in a palmetto before we continued on.

Beside the snake we also encountered lots of birds and mosquitoes. 

If you want to hike Seaton Creek trails beware there are no restrooms or water fountains. Bring your own water and don't forget the bug spray!

Seaton Creek Historic Preserve is located at 2145 Arnold Road, Jacksonville, Florida. (right down the road from the Pecan Park Flea Market!) You can walk or ride a bike. Dogs are welcome as long as they're on leash. 

Lace up and take a walk in the woods!

What Goes Up Must Come Down - Ehrenberg Castle Complex in Reutte, Austria

A series on our trip to Germany and Austria in October 2014

In my previous post I wrote about walking up to the Schlosskopf. 

In this post I'll tell you about how we got down...

As they say what goes up must come down. According to the map you can either take the long way down (the way we come up) or take the short cut. 

A 15 minute walk down. So we opted for the short way. 

When I say down...

I mean down...

Like straight down...

This is the beginning of the trail. I feel pretty happy.

Not so happy now.

Just praying I don't break my ankle...

This was a very steep trail with lots of trip hazards in the form of rocks and roots. 

Take note - Good hiking boots and walking sticks would have made this trail easier to navigate and also don't ever wear bifocals when walking down a steep trail. Half way down John told me to take off my glasses. That made it easier to get my footing but this trail was a killer!

According to the map this was a 15 minute trail. Not sure how long it took us but it was closer to 30 - 45 minutes. 

The funny thing was that coming down we met an elderly gentleman coming up. When I say elderly I mean in his eighties and he was walking UP this trail. He wasn't even out of breath! I felt slightly ashamed for the whining I was doing.

At the bottom of the trail we were rewarded with the sight of the Ehrenberg ruins. 

Lace up, grab your sticks and take the fast way down!

Walking UP to the Schlosskopf Castle at the Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble in Reutte, Austria

Up is a word you'll hear a lot as you travel through Bavaria and Tyrol. Not only up but if you ask the locals everything seems to be just a 15 minute walk...

The reality is you can't travel through the Alps without going up. But when you're a Florida girl used to walking miles and miles at sea level UP takes on a whole new meaning!

So as we headed out to walk to the Ehrenberg Castle Ruins we knew we'd be walking up to the top of a mountain. And up it was.

BTW I say mountain, the locals say hill. I guess it's all in your perspective.

A little history before we begin our walk.

The Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble is a grouping of old buildings and castles that had pretty much gone to seed. Beginning in 1971 Friedl Schennach from Reutte began a rescue operation and in 2001 the European Castle Museum Ehrenberg Association was founded to preserve the complex which includes the  Ehrenberg ruin, the Schlosskopf, Claudia Fortress and the Klause Toll House.

• Burgruine Ehrenberg (Ehrenberg ruin) - Constructed in 1293 under Duke Meinrad II established the northern border of Tyrol. 
• Hermitage Ehrenberg (Klause Toll House) - In 1480 it served as a military road block and a customs house. This now serves as the museum.
• Fort Claudia - Named after the Tyrolean Archduchess Claudia it was built during her reign between 1639 and 1645. Fort Claudia sits on the mountain ridge opposite the Ehrenberg ruin.
• Stronghold Schlosskopf - the big daddy sitting on top of the overlooking mountain. Built between 1733 and 1741 it never gained importance and was shut down in 1782.

From the left on the highest mountain is Schlosskopf, on the next mountain is Ehhrenberg, in the valley Ehrenberg Klause,
across the valley Fort Claudia.

At the entrance to Hermitage Ehrenberg (Klause Toll House)

Walking to the ruins is free but there is a parking fee of 2 euro.  The museum is described as a hands-on-museum where you can experience the thrilling history of the middle ages. Looks like it would be fun for the kids. We didn't go into the museum because time was limited and we came to hike the mountain.TIP: Get an AKTIV Card from your hotel. There's no cost for the card and you can get into many places, including this museum, for free. 

Going up to Schlosskopf castle

Another part of the trail going up to Schlosskopf

Beautiful views from the trail

Another view from the trail

Interesting signs along the way told the history and folklore of the area

Das Goldloch - The Golden Hole

There are many small caves in the rock face of the castle hill and legend says that this particular cave holds a treasure of a lump of gold. Only those who have a pure, honest, golden heart are able to seize the gold. All others will be met with the bite of a snake.  

Well, I guess we know someone's not pure of heart...

Stronghold Schlosskopf

 According to the map it was a 45 minute walk up to Schlosskopf. I think it took us a good bit longer.  The path was easy and clear, not a lot of roots or rocks to walk over. However it was steadily up all the way with a number of switchbacks. I have to admit that although I walk for miles on flat land the incline and the altitude got the best of me. I had to make a few stops to catch my breath but I made it!

It was well worth the walk. The view from the top was spectacular!

Gorgeous view from Schlosskopf

Unobstructed view of the surrounding area

From Schlosskopf Castle looking down on Ehrenberg ruin, the Toll house (in the valley) and across to Fort Claudia. 

Look closely at the picture above. You can just barely make out the cables running from base of Ehrenberg over to Fort Claudia. This will be the Highline 179 the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. Opens at the end of 2014. We'll have to make a trip back to walk across.


We made it to the top but the walk down is another story which I'll share in the next post.

What Goes Up Must Come Down


Lace up and walk up a mountain (or hill)!

I sharing at:

It's Getting Warmer! Kolomoki Mounds State Park

We're heading south and it's definitely getting warmer. Almost anything would be warmer than where we've been! We were at Cloudland Canyon State Park and at 14 degrees it was icy cold so 40 degrees was like a summer day...

Kolomoki Mounds State Park is located in Early county in southwestern Georgia. Not only are there 5 miles of hiking trails but also a great temple mound that stands 57 feet tall. The park itself is pretty flat but those 76 stair steps make quiet a climb to the top of that mound!

We practically had the whole park to ourselves. I guess it's still too cold for most people to be out but really once you get moving you warm up.

We found 6 Geocaches while visiting Kolomoki. I loved the creative containers and the fact that they were pretty easy to find. I don't like it when you have to do a little (sometimes a lot of) bushwacking to get to the cache. 

There was also a small cemetery located in the park. I love old cemeteries...Weird I know.

Take a walk and check out a State Park near you!

Hiking at Cloudland Canyon State Park Georgia

We originally were going to tent camp on this trip. I think it was wise that we swapped our tent for a hotel room...

Cloudland Canyon State Park has got to be one of the most beautiful parks in Georgia. I think it was even more beautiful because of the ice that was all around. Huge icicles hung from the side of the canyon wall and as the heat of the midday sun warmed them up they would come down with a loud crash. Fortunately we were walking the waterfall trail on the other side of the canyon in the shade. Wouldn't want one of those to come down on me!

Step carefully there's ice on the trail!

We took the waterfall trail which is a one mile trail with a series of 600 steps down to the bottom of the waterfall. Of course we had to take the same trail back UP!

The upper falls

The lower falls

This trail is part of the Canyon Climbers Club. If you walk the trails at Tallulah Gorge, Providence Canyon, Amicalola Falls and Cloudland Canyon and get your membership card punched you can win a tee-shirt! We didn't know about this club so we didn't get a card to punch. I guess we'll have to make another trip up here one day. 

Even though it was freezing we still enjoyed a nice walk. The key is to wear good hiking boots and socks, gloves, a hat that cover the ears (a must for me:-) and layers believe it or not you can get warm once you start moving. 

Don't forget your walking sticks. They come in handy on uneven, ice covered trails.

The park in on the edge of Lookout Mountain in the northwest corner of the state.

Bundle up and take a walk!

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