Barfusspark (Barefoot Park)

Let me preface that this is a lengthier than usual post, but well worth the time!

(Tim- if you're reading this get your sanatizer ready - it's going to be messy!)

Our first field trip with our new homeschooling group from church took us to Detter___ to a Barfusspark. What an adventure. This not only was my first solo trip down the autobahn with a 5-speed, but packed to the gills with boys, what a ride! A friend of ours was having their household goods delivered and so 2 other moms and I decided to take all 11 children on a field trip. We cleverly divided all the girls in the minivan, boys in my car, and 3 and under in the compact mercedes with the pregnant mama!

So, we headed south. The weather looked like a thick blanket of rain just waiting to downpour, but nonetheless we forged on. Upon our arrival everyone needed to use the bathroom and all were hungry. Here's a photo of the kids "picnicing" in the parking lot!

Left to right: Faith, Seriah, Grace, Kidron, Yannek, Madeline, Hope, Katja, Micah, Jack and Eli

After a quick bite of lunch, we headed on our 3 mile journey. Let me first explain the whole barefoot concept. The Germans believe that walking barefoot through the woods on different types of materials (mulch, rock, mud, lava rock, clay, freezing water, glass...yes, glass!) is to heighten your sensory nerves and work a bit like foot detoxification, helping promote a healthier being. Well, that very well may be the case, but I can guarentee you that OSHA was is no way involved!

The first circle through the mudpit!

Our leader, Debbie, (the only who has done this) promptly explained that we leave all shoes in the car in the parking lot. Being good pupils, we followed the instructions and hit the path. As Brenda and I "oooh, aaaah, & ouched" our way to the trail head, be quickly realized that it was a 300 meter walk to the entrance of the park. Use your imagination and picture walking on a heavily traveled razor sharp gravel road and then you'll just being to appreciate the pain we were feeling in our feet.

Upon arriving to the start of the trail there was contrevoursey as to which place we should start. Good thing both of the other moms speak fluent German. Although with all that German we still began our trip in the "out".

In the beginning it wasn't too bad, weathering the 60 degrees in the air and the freezing temps of the cold wet ground. The kids.....oh yeah, they were there and loving every minute of it. I think once the cold set in, their feet were numb, so they didn't mind the pain!


In all actuality the park is pretty neat. It is nestled on the edge of the Schwartzwald and very picturesque. Along the way we came upon a playground with ziplines and swings.

Wading through more mudpits! Can you believe we did this by choice? So not me and my germaphobia! It obviously hasn't affected the kids in the same way.

In this picture you can't tell if Madeline is wearing her khaki knee socks and black shoes or just different layers of mud and muck...yuck!

At the end we came to the plunge pool - did I say it was freezing? Jack decided to do a cannon ball and disregard all warnings that he would be freezing afterwards. Madeline soon followed suit - although she was the dirtiest and it was well needed.

Wouldn't you know as we were heading back to load up 11 dirty children it began to rain. We tried as best as we could to change every child's clothes, wipe and towel dry all 22 feet, take to the bathroon those which needed to potty and buckle into the car while we were being drownd by the much needed rain. All in all, a great day...a day the Lord had made!

What a fun day! Through it all we made great memories!

Thanks Debbie and Brenda for the wonderful time!