A Rainy Day of Hiking and History in the Black Forest

Welcome to Day 6 in the Black Forest!

Well, we knew that such a day was coming: rain – all day. It was time to deal with it.

Day 6 greeted us with the unmistakable sound of raindrops tapping on the window. Our plans for the day had to adapt to the dreary weather. The prospect of a day spent indoors was not ideal, but we had prepared for such contingencies. The National Park Center was already on our minds as a potential refuge for a rainy day. The exhibition had been recommended to us before, and we thought it might be an excellent place to spend the day, especially since we hoped to combine a visit to the center with a hike in the area.

With hopes of capturing the atmospheric, dark, rainy, and foggy mood I had previously seen in photos from the Black Forest, we set off toward the center. Luckily, we checked that the National Park Center would be open on this rainy day. What we failed to verify was the time it opened. When we arrived at the parking lot, the rain was coming down heavily. Just as our spirits were beginning to dampen, we realized we were too early to enter the center. After a moment of hesitation, we made the decision to start our hike despite the rain.

The Wildsee-Blick Loop

We opted for the loop leading to the Wildsee-Blick. With our gear packed, we made a dash for a nearby shelter to gear up in our rain jackets and rain pants. As we pulled our rain gear on, we expressed relief at having chosen to brave the elements. Unsurprisingly, we found ourselves quite alone during our hike. There wasn’t a single person on the trail except for us. With the rain cascading down, we took solace in our waterproof garments; however, since we didn’t wear (ankle-high) boots, the rain began to find its way into our shoes. But still, our waterproof trekking shoes resisted very well.

Embracing the Elements

Even though the weather presented a challenge, our mood remained high. A narrow trail led us to a viewpoint overlooking the Wildsee. I didn’t capture many photos, as the rain was fairly heavy, limiting our visibility of the lake below. The atmospheric conditions, however, offered a unique aura, one that isn’t often experienced in the sunshine.

After about one and a half hours of hiking, the waterproof capabilities of our shoes finally failed, and they soaked through completely. Thankfully, we didn’t feel cold, which made the discomfort manageable – an inconvenience, but not too burdensome.

Returning to the car, we quickly stashed our backpacks to dry off and regroup. It would have been great to have dry socks and shoes stowed away in the car for this very moment, but as luck would have it, we hadn’t packed them. Left with no option, we donned our soaked shoes for the next leg of the journey.

National Park Center Visit

With our damp shoes still intact, we headed to the National Park Center. Once inside, we treated ourselves to some much-needed coffee and cake to rejuvenate after the wet hike. While visiting the gift shop, we chatted with the same friendly lady we had met a few days before.

The exhibition itself was surprising in the best way. It was vibrant, filled with animation and rich history – absolutely not boring. It promised an engaging and entertaining experience, and we certainly felt it delivered beautifully.

Through captivating displays, we gained a better understanding of the region, which took our enthusiasm to another level. The information was presented creatively, from interactive sections to videos, capturing our attention and piquing our interest. Each element was designed to educate visitors about the natural world around us without losing their engagement. We were both left impressed and would encourage anyone visiting the Black Forest to include a trip to the National Park Center on their itinerary. The combination of historical narratives and interactive exhibits made for a thoughtful excursion to accompany our hiking experiences.

As we wearily returned to our accommodations with wet shoes yet light hearts, we felt grateful for our experiences – both on the trails and within the walls of the National Park Center. It was a day that filled us with the reminder: there is much to be discovered, even when the skies are gray.

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