LC,
loved the article and it gave me an idea.
In 1997, I made a wanderung. I took a hike with a backpack and started walking from Wissembourg, France, south through France, then over the Rhein through the Black Forest of Germany to Lake Constance on the Swiss/Austrian border. Along the way I met many people and their kindness and comments could make an interesting story - at least to those with a spirit of adventure.
I made the trip to follow the footsteps of my ancestors on my mother's side. The Firestones. I learned much. The trek was not all roses. The blisters on my feet and finding a place to rest at night was not easy to deal with. But I made it.