Two hundred years after the Hessians were surprised by George Washington crossing the Delaware, another German invasion came to America. This time it was much more friendly.
Known as the Volksmarch, it first occurred on these shores in 1976 in Fredericksburg, Texas. Last Saturday, it made its ninth excursion onto the estate of the country's first President.
Initiated in Central Europe in the mid-1960's, Volksmarch is a loose knit collection of avid walkers from all over the globe who prefer their sightseeing in the form of hiking. "The main purpose is fun, fitness, and getting exercise," said Gin Armacost.
As a member of the Pentagon Pacesetters, Inc., she was helping to staff the registration tent at Mount Vernon Estate for the 10K walk which would lead participants through trails on the back part of the property not normally open to visitors. "We've had as many as 1,200, but this weekend we only expect about 600," she said.
Thirty countries are represented in Volksmarch International, according to Armacost. There are approximately 350 clubs scattered throughout the United States.
NOT ALL Volksmarchers belong to a club. Membership is only an option and not a requirement to participate. There is usually no charge for a particular event unless there is a fee for entering a certain site such as Mount Vernon. Last weekend participants paid only the regular Mount Vernon admission fee.
Dawn Gurtner of Alexandria, was sitting at a picnic bench enjoying a bratwurst after completing her 200th walk. "I haven't joined a club yet, but I'm seriously considering it," she confessed. "The annual membership fee is only $10."
"It's a really good deal. I only started doing this in 2000, and I've walked in various parts of Europe as well as 47 of the 50 states," she said.
"My very first walk was in June, 2000, at the Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota. They had an ad on their web site stating they allowed people up on the carved mountain only once a year. I said to myself, 'I have to do this,'" Gurtner said.
"It's a great hobby. I love to travel and this is a great excuse," she added.
IN ADDITION to the hiking, The Pacesetters always has hot dogs and bratwurst cooking on the grill manned by eight year club member Jim Geith of Fairfax. "Most walkers hike first and eat afterward," he acknowledged. He has been a Volksmarcher since 1986.
"This walk seems to get more new walkers than any of our other events," Burke resident Laurel Carlson noted. As the official organizer of the Mount Vernon walk, Carlson also serves as a volunteer at the Estate.
"I first got involved with the Volksmarch when I was helping to set up the first walk here. We like to call it a Volkswalk because Volksmarch sounds a bit too militaristic," she said.
"We used to have a lot of our walks commence at the Pentagon, but we can't do that since 9/11," Carlson said. "The original group of founders for this club were all Pentagon employees, but now its open to everyone." Presently, there are between 150 and 200 members.
EACH MEMBER has a book which is stamped each time they complete an event. There are no time requirements. Walkers move at their own pace on their on time frame. When a book is completed it is sent to Volksmarch headquarters in Universal City, Texas, for official registration.
Walkers can establish their own criteria for a particular book. Some choose to walk in all 50 states such as Gurtner. Other have picked national monuments, nations in Europe or Asia, and just unstructured sightseeing.
This year's Mount Vernon walk was held Saturday and Sunday. Walkers had to complete the marked course no later than 5 p.m.
"This is our premier walk each year," Carlson said. "One of the highlights is a chance to see the Seven Dippers Spring at the back of the Estate grounds. It is not accessible to regular visitors."