August has truly felt like summer! With an abundance of sunshine and few rainfall, it was a brilliant month to enjoy the outdoors. Notably, I made the decision to cut back on my social media time, instead immersing myself in reading books. I do not regret this choice at all! I particularly cherish diving into fantasy novels and exploring different worlds through literature.
Activities
Despite this newfound focus, we kept ourselves busy this month. One might assume we were on vacation, but we simply utilized our weekends very well:
- We embarked on a delightful bike and hike into the Karwendel mountains. Although we didn’t capture epic photos, I finally walked a trail I had long wanted to explore. We faced quite a bit of rain on the way back, but thanks to our great equipment, it turned out to be a good hike nonetheless.
- I also dedicated time to a longer photography session at a nearby waterfall. Spending several hours there allowed me to learn a lot. While I’m still uncertain about the quality of the photos, the learning experience was undoubtedly valuable.
- Another highlight was a mountain biking tour to the local Seekarkreuz. This route remains one of my favorites; coupled with the ~100m elevation walk at the end, it provided a rewarding summit experience.
- An adventurous day awaited us when we joined a colleague and his family on the first part of their trans-alp hike, traveling from Innsbruck to Schönberg. It was a sunny and hot day, yet very enjoyable. I even gave my hiking umbrella to his wife for sun protection for the rest of their tour. I purchased myself a replacement the following day and was glad that I was able to help.
- On a bank holiday, I finally decided to bike and hike to the Vorderskopf, another summit in the Karwendel. However, this turned out to be a difficult hike for me due to the heat, insufficient water, and having to reroute multiple times. – okay. To be honest, it probably was one of my worst mountain experiences ever.
- One Friday after work, we explored a nearby trail with only 200m of elevation. Having walked it several years ago, I wanted to scout it with the intention of returning on my mountain bike. The trail looks promising, and I’m curious to see how it will play out.
- August brought several blistering hot weekends. One weekend, we enjoyed a pleasant cycling loop along a shaded river for a couple of hours, followed by a relaxing Sunday in the sun.
- Unfortunately, my wife has been struggling a bit with her back. So we opted for a smaller local walk without much elevation gain, which proved to be the right decision. During this outing, we stumbled upon a new photography spot that I definitely want to revisit; a blog post about it may come in the future as well.
- On the last Sunday of the month, I had intended to undertake a larger bike and hike, also to test a new backpack. However, I had to cancel after two hours on the bike as I felt really really unwell. Instead, we enjoyed a wonderful walk around the nearby Osterseen, during which I discovered more potential photo spots!
Photography
August clearly leaned more towards activities than photography. The hikes we completed did not yield epic photos, and the footage from the waterfall photo tour is still awaiting processing. I see this experience as more about the learning process than the final outcome.
I organized a giveaway for one of my prints, which had simply been sitting in my cupboard waiting to be replaced. It found a new admirer, and I’m hopeful it will find a good spot on someone’s wall.
The remainder of the month involved extensive post-processing of photos captured during our Schwarzwald vacation … which leads us to the next section:
Blogs
Speaking of the Schwarzwald, I’ve successfully completed and published the final posts from our Blackforest vacation and also the according gallery page! However, I must admit writing the blogs turned a bit burdensome towards the end. Perhaps I should reconsider my approach, writing less and posting more photos instead? It’s something I’m currently pondering. Moving forward, I plan to be more cautious about launching a blog series during our next vacation.
I’m also keen to share more about the adventures mentioned above. However, I must remind myself to manage time wisely… Let’s see what the coming weeks bring. Stay tuned!
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A Rainy Day of Hiking and History in the Black Forest
On Day 6 of our Black Forest adventure, rain dictated our plans. We set out to explore a hike, hoping for atmospheric photos, before taking refuge in the National Park Center. The day unfolded with unexpected joys and a fascinating exhibition, showcasing the area’s natural history and allure.
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Exploring the Charm of Black Forest Villages
On Day 7 of our vacation in the Black Forest, we traded hiking for an exploration of charming villages like Baden-Baden and Schiltach. Enjoying the serendipity of nice weather, we discovered audio-guided tours and impressive architecture along the way. Here’s a detailed account of our road trip adventure.
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Embracing Solitude on the Tonbachsteig
On Day 8 of our Black Forest vacation, we set out to explore the “Genießerpfade” trail, Tonbachsteig. This hike offered serene forest paths, historical insights, and encounters with local wildlife, alongside beautiful photographic opportunities. Join me as we recount the day’s subtle joys and discoveries in nature.
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Discovering the Bosensteiner Almpfad
On Day 9 of our Black Forest adventure, we embarked on the Bosensteiner Almpfad, a trail through ancient forests and breathtaking vistas. Amidst cloudy skies, damp foliage, and serene woodland scenes, we experienced the tranquil beauty of nature during this atmospheric hike.
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From Baiersbronn to Stuttgart: Memorable Stops Along the Way
On the final day of our Black Forest vacation, we explored charming towns on our way to Stuttgart. From Altensteig’s castle to Calw’s historic streets, each stop offered unique experiences. As our journey concluded, we reflected on the vibrant landscapes and adventures that left us eager to return.
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A Bike and Hike Experience with a couple of Obstacles
Not every outdoor adventure is perfect. This recount details a challenging bike and hike journey in the Vorkarwendel mountains of Austria. Faced with unexpected obstacles, poor hydration, and trail difficulties, the experience tested my resolve. But reaching the summit and soaking in the views made it a day to remember.