The Daily Times

David Bonewitz and his fellow Volkswalkers aren’t asking you to walk a mile in their shoes �" they want to entice you to walk a little farther and notice what’s up around the bend.

Their passion is walking, not necessarily hiking, to some gorgeous places near and far. Participants are encouraged to amble, walk or meander at their own pace. Just wear some comfortable shoes and bring a camera along. Saturday mornings will never be the same.

Bonewitz and his wife Mindy moved to this area 10 years ago from Washington, D.C. and fell in love with our beautiful landscape. The only thing it needed was a Volkssport club, he said. The two met another couple who had also migrated here, and the four established the East Tennessee Wanderers, an affiliate of the American Volkssport Association.

The what?

We are walkers

It’s simply a sports club with roots in Europe that gets its members involved in outdoor activities like walking, swimming, biking and even snow shoeing, although that component isn’t really doable around here. The East Tennessee Wanderers have been up and running (walking, really) for about two years, and Bonewitz said membership has climbed from that initial foursome to over 40.

They schedule two walks per month, usually on a Saturday, in places like downtown Maryville, historic Rogersville, Gatlinburg, Townsend, Alcoa, Frozen Head State Park, Oak Ridge, Clinton and elsewhere. For example, the Maryville walk starts at The Market at the corner of Washington and High Streets and takes walkers down by the Thompson-Brown House, Maryville College, Historic College Hill Neighborhood and back. It is one of the sanctioned walks for AVA, and maps are available at the starting point.

The trails are generally 10K in length, or 6.2 miles, although shorter, alternative routes are also provided. All of the Wanderers’ outings are open to the public and you don’t have to be a member of the group to enjoy the fun and fitness, Bonewitz explained.

Fun, fitness ...

This passion for the outdoors and walking/wandering has been part of Bonewitz’s makeup for 20 years. He and Mindy and their two sons, now grown, have done AVA walks in all 50 states. He likes the fact the walks are noncompetitive, although he does love to challenge himself. He loves the family-friendly nature of the club. He loves the fun and fitness and friendship but admits there is one more thing about the Wanderers he loves as well.

“There are really 4 F’s, he explained. The last is food, and the Wanderers often gather for a great meal after the aerobic workout is complete.

Bonewitz serves as trail master and president of East Tennessee Wanderers. He maps out the routes and takes care of the logistics of the walks. Members of the AVA can even earn and collect stamps along the way as they travel all over the country.

Making a connection

“The best part of the whole thing is the people we meet,” the president said. Folks have come from Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin to participate in an East Tennessee Wanderers walk, and the walkers living right here have formed a tight bond. They are people from all backgrounds, retired, still working, newcomers and old-timers. Bonewitz said he would, however, like to see some more young families get involved.

Jerrie Mitchell is an active member and serves as publicity chairman. She has been a lifelong walker as well, spending her time on lunch breaks from Oak Ridge National Laboratory to walk off stress. A few years before she retired, ORNL began a wellness program and she joined that.

Then Mitchell heard about the Wanderers, after she retired. Her husband Joe, who was never much into walking, joined the club as well.

“He enjoys the fun, friendship and food part,” Mitchell explained. “The fitness is just gravy that goes along with it.’

Sign me up

The next scheduled event for these Wanderers is a fun walk through downtown Clinton, on Feb. 25, which is a Friday. It may eventually become one of the club’s year-round walks.

One of Bonewitz’s favorite memories is of a walk he and his family took in Ohio during a popcorn festival. He said AVA clubs love to be part of events like that where they can get some exposure and interest.

When they first started, their youngest son was participating from a baby carrier on David or Mindy’s back. One son is now at the University of Tennessee while the other is at West Point.

Bonewitz invites interested individuals or families to the next walk in Clinton. There is also one set for April 9 at Frozen Head State Park. Bonewitz said the club’s goal is to walk all of the state parks and historic areas in Tennessee over the next five years. The club posts its activities on its website, http://www.easttennesseewanderers.org .

“There are some 300 Volkssport clubs across the country,” Bonewitz said. “There are thousands and thousands of walks set up by these clubs.

That sounds like a challenge.

You must be logged in to Facebook to comment. If you're not logged in to Facebook, a login window will open when you click "comment". Or you can log in now. You may need to refresh your page after logging in via that link.