The Stausee-Tafeltour loop offers travelers a way to experience Germany's rich and diverse landscape while tasting traditional regional cuisine
The Stausee-Tafeltour trail is part of the larger eco-friendly Saar-Hunsrück Steig
a long-distance hiking trail that spans roughly 250 miles in the western part of Germany.Photograph by Christian O
2025As I meandered down the narrow dirt path of the Stausee-Tafeltour trail in Saarland
my eyes were drawn to the vibrant green moss that covered the forest floor like a shag carpet from the 70s
The thick grove of beech trees lining the pathway loomed over us
gray bark reflecting the few rays of sun that broke through the dim light
A burbling stream that ran alongside the trail broke the silence
a circular route that pairs scenic hiking with curated culinary stops
now is the time to hike the Stausee-Tafeltour trail
The Stausee-Tafeltour trail is one of more than 100 traumschleifen (dream loops), which are part of the larger eco-friendly Saar-Hunsrück-Steig
a long-distance hiking trail that spans roughly 250 miles in the western part of the country
To achieve certification as a premium hiking destination
Points of interest include Scheiden — the highest village in Saarland — with views of nearby France and Luxembourg
The last stretch of the loop takes hikers through a shady area with a grove of dramatic green and copper ferns
with roots and rocks strewn across the path
Keep going until you reach a sweeping view of Losheim Lake
Visitors can also purchase a ticket to wander through the whimsical SeeGarten with an array of flowers
and water playground with interactive stations to keep children entertained for hours
I typically pack snacks and plenty of water
look for the trail signs with the chef's hat and the word tafeltour (table tour) and you'll find gastronomy that is easily accessible for hikers
The Stausee-Tafeltour trail was recently awarded a RegionalGenuss (regional enjoyment) certificate
which means culinary offerings (nothing commercial) from the area can be found on the trail
Not only are these options a way for hikers to nourish themselves
but also a way for them to get to know the culture of the region through its specialty foods and beverages
The GenussTrühen are stocked by local residents and are kept full April through October
A sign is posted with pricing and there is a box where hikers can leave money
The person that provides the supplies keeps the money
My time on the trail ended at jovial Hochwälder Brauhaus
where I rewarded myself with a warm meal and a cold beer
I filled my belly with a regional favorite
homemade saaraländische kartoffelstippchen (potato dumplings) with mushroom sauce at a table overlooking the lake
Additional dining at the lake is also available at the SeeGartenBistro, Restaurant Maison au Lac, and Seehotel-Losheim
WindVestas wind turbine bursts into flames in GermanyNo one hurt as V90 2MW nacelle and part of rotor blades are engulfed in flames with debris falling onto nearby field and road
Editor's note: Following is the full text of the remarks of Brig
14 commemoration at the Galleria mall in Middletown on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge
was cold and quiet along the Ardennes Front
the “Ghost Front.” From Monschau in the north
The lion was prowling behind the German lines
the Allied generals far behind the lines refused to accept any intelligence that in any way indicated the immediacy of a German attack
In Echternach in Luxembourg a single rifle company garrisoned the town
No one saw any activity from the enemy across the Sauer River
the 4th Infantry Division was holding the line while it licked its wounds after suffering 7,500 in losses during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest
To the north of the 4th Infantry Division was one Combat Command of the 9th Armored — just arrived in Europe and stationed on the “Ghost Front.” Sent for experience in anticipated skirmishes
to gain some easy combat experience before being totally committed in combat
the lines were taken over by the 28th Infantry Division
also recovering from heavy fighting in the Hurtgen
At Vianden an observation post manned by 37 GIs
who earlier had accepted the surrender of a German sergeant who warned them that “The Germans come tonight
The Germans come tonight!” The 28th’s positions continued north for another 22 or 23 miles
the “Golden Lions” had taken over from the 2nd Infantry Division only two days before
who was very concerned by the fact that the entire division was occupying the Schnee Eiffel
a salient thrust deep into the German lines
and imminently in danger of being cut off and isolated
he was defending five miles of the seven-mile width of the Losheim Gap with the 14th Cavalry Group
troops left to him when he relieved the 2nd
General Jones had good reason to be concerned
He was positioned beside the route the Germans had used to invade France in 1860
he could be cut off and isolated from the Allied lines
and in the final two miles of the Gap there wasn’t a single tank or Allied foxhole
at that point VIII Corp’s lines ended and V Corp’s began
and a corridor through the lines of the 99th Division where the 2nd Division was attempting to penetrate the Seigfried Line through a two mile gap in the 99th’s lines
that massive German movements had been observed
he sent the information on to General Hodges
despite the fact that his own Intelligence Officer
had stated unequivocally that the Germans were about to attack through the Ardennes
but Hodges’ staff recommended ignoring Dickson’s warnings
the G2 announced that “it is now certain that attrition is steadily sapping the strength of German forces on the Western front.”
Eisenhower’s G2 issued a report that the German forces were all but finished
chimed in with a flat statement that the Germans “cannot stage major offensive operations,” and asked if he couldn’t have a few days of R&R in England
and to the east some 250,000 Wehrmacht infantry
and SS were moving up quietly over straw covered roads
the German High Command was planning Wacht am Rhein
German shells began raining down on the forward American positions in the Ardennes
Now the Supreme Command finally realized their blindness
and reinforcements were dispatched to support the troops trying desperately to stem the German attack
General Bradley ordered the 10th Armored to Bastogne
and placed the 7th Armored under General Middleton’s command in the IIIrd Corps
while Eisenhower agreed to the shift of the XVIIIth Airborne Corps to the Ardennes as well
The American forces fought heroically to stem the German tide
and although the Germans managed to break through in some areas
they did manage to drive through the 106th lines in some areas
capturing among others the crossroads at Baugnez
and there captured troops of the American 385th Field Artillery Observation Battalion
together with other POWs who had been forced to surrender
were murdered by SS troops of the 1st SS Panzer Division
commanded by SS Standartenführer Joachim “Jochen” Peiper
in the action referred to as "the massacre at Malmedy."
elements of the 101st Airborne began to arrive in Bastogne
and by the 21st III Corps of the 3rd Army began a drive to relieve Bastogne
But when on the 22nd Germans demanded its surrender
Brigadier General McAuliffe made his historical response
History records that as “Nuts,” but many of us insist that his actual response was a suggestion to perform a biologically difficult
On Christmas morning the weather finally cleared
and American air attacks on the Germans and accurate supply drops to the Americans signaled the beginning of the end
By the 4th of January the last major attack of the Ardennes was launched by Wehrmacht General von Manteuffel
and American resistance throughout the area began driving the German forces back
signaling the total failure of the Germans to break through to the Channel and create massive nightmares in the resupply and reinforcement of the Allied forces
marked the final Allied nail in Hitler’s coffin
The troops destroyed in the Ardennes had been the German reserve intended to defend against the Allied crossing of the Rhine
it has been said that this was one of the most decisive battles of the Second World War
Allied troops on the Western front were finally able to carry the war on to German soil
3rd Army troops were able to drive from the German border
before turning south to finally meet the advancing Russian troops in Czechoslovakia and Austria
3rd Army troops liberated the first concentration encountered on the ground
in the snow and freezing temperatures of the Ardennes Forest winter
the Battle of the Bulge is fought with blank ammo by reenactors at Fort Indiantown Gap
and by other reenactment groups around the country
The Indiantown Gap reenactment is a long-running annual program
and a heck of a lot less dangerous than the real thing
AUSTIN BAY, a Washington Examiner columnist, is nationally syndicated by Creators Syndicate
the calendar simply will indicate it is Dec
and a veteran of the engagement that is said to be the bloodiest battle ever fought by American soldiers
Hermon was among the soldiers who tackled the Germans and the Bulge
named from the nature of the German penetration of American lines
suffering from frostbite and just plain miserable weather conditions added to the toll
It’s been said that if the wounded soldier was still alive by the time the medic got to his side
16 this year we observe the 73rd anniversary of the opening (or beginning) of the Battle of the Bulge,” that ended Jan
There can be no question about the troops that paved the way
and Great Britain in Normandy put the Allies back on the soil of the continent and resulted in the drive across France to the very borders of Germany
They were committed in a vain attempt to drive through to capture and to hold the Belgian ports
This reduced the ability of the Allies to bring in supplies
The German attempt on the 16th came through the Losheim Gap
the pathway followed by Germany in 1914 and during WW II for the invasion of France and Belgium
was considered by the Allies to be a quick one and the troops in position along that front were either sent to recoup strength after extended combat action
or unblooded troops sent to become familiar with the field before being actually committed to the battlefield
unfortunately with approximately 75,000 American casualties and 125,000 Germans
The German losses in the battle were especially critical
and remaining forces throughout the West were being pushed back to defend the Siegfried Line by February
which resulted in the breakthrough and the Allied drive straight east and then south to Austria
The memories were sharp and the days then were as long as they were cold
who retired as a brigadier general in 1989 spoke of the battle in writing
He hopes someday to have a book finished on his life’s experiences
there was pride in serving and joy in coming home to help build the country he loves
and to welcome grandchildren who he hopes will never know war
since the end of that ‘war to end all wars,’ we continue to fill our military cemeteries here and abroad with the men and women who have laid down their lives in their service to our beloved nation,” said the Brooklyn native
some of our own friends and comrades remain forever
although they will always be here among us in our hearts and memories.”
For Hermon and members of the Bulge Chapter
it’s disappointing that more don’t attend meetings on the third Thursday of each month
Locations have changed through the years in hopes that would help
but there also have been times when the group has even considered closing the chapter
21 at the Monroe Country Club on Still Road in Monroe
Tom Jones is the chef who also is a member of the Sons of the American Legion
it will be a meeting as usual - the regulars will know that means lunch will be served and the afternoon will be social
In recent months fewer than 10 veterans attend
Hermon doesn’t engage a speaker for such a small group
still the veterans enjoy being with each other
They are the 'Band of Brothers.' They are there for each other.”
Some veterans remember the intense cold and have moved to tropical places to avoid forever the snow and ice they had in Belgium
Those who attend meeting always hope to welcome others who served at the Bulge
** Approximately 630 evergreen trees for Christmas decorating have been shipped to military families
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said Farmside Acres annual donation of “Trees for Troops” kept a team of workers busy
With help from the 105th Airlift Wing and students from Lee Road Elementary School in Cornwall the trees will go to families at Fort Benning in Georgia
FedEx has shipped more than 200,000 real Christmas trees to service members and their families in every branch of the military at some 60plus bases in 17 countries
in the Commuter Parking Lot on Millpond Parkway across from Crane Park in Monroe
Hanukkah refreshments will be served and gelt (chocolate foil-covered coins) will be dropped from a fire engine for the children
The event has been organized by Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston
She can be reached at 346-3125 or by email: bbedell@th-record.com.