Hiking

***Journey to the far reaches of beautiful Norway in Winter to witness one of the most spellbinding phenomena in the natural world by night.*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS TRIP?** **For more detailed info & to get entry for this trip, click on link below 👇🏽:** [https://www.eventbrite.de/e/norway-northern-lights-dancing-auroras-ancient-culture-tickets-1589618474649?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/norway-northern-lights-dancing-auroras-ancient-culture-tickets-1589618474649?aff=meetup) **If you have WhatsApp, please do join this WhatsApp group below to further discuss about this trip:** [https://go.unt.global/Aurora_Europe_Trips](https://go.unt.global/Aurora_Europe_Trips) **Note: Flights inclusive price can be provided on request from any European city, so you can either join the Whatsapp group to further discuss this or post a comment here in order to get more details on it.** **WHY GO?** What better way to experience the Aurora Borealis aka Northern lights than in the city of northern lights, Alta. In Norwegian, Eventyr means both 'adventure' and 'fairy tale.' This is the perfect word to describe Alta, as it is a perfect place for active adventures in the mountains, forests and fjords that are reminiscent of fairy tale landscapes. The cold and long winters provide excellent conditions for dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and other adventure activities. A modern city in Northern Norway surrounded by the arctic tundra and mountains, Alta is the ideal combination of natural and urban elements. The celestial dance of lights, known as Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a phenomena as old as Earth’s atmosphere. The first record of Aurora Borealis is believed to be in a 30,000-year-old cave painting in France. Since then, cultures around the world have marveled at its magic, giving rise to many fascinating legends and folklore. In Norway alone, symbols linked to the northern lights are found on the Sámi shamanistic drum. They call it “Guovssahas,” i.e. “the light that can be heard.” During the Viking Age, the northern lights were said to be the armor of the Valkyrie warrior virgins that shed a strange flickering light. Today, locals respectfully refer to the lights as “the green lady.” Please do join our Whatsapp / Telegram channel for updates about our future trips including possible early bird discounts, contests etc. 1. [Whatsapp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)

Try Brompton is a Brompton experience ride for those considering purchasing a Brompton. The purpose of this ride is to deepen your understanding of Brompton bikes, ride courses designed to fully enjoy Bromptons, rediscover the city, experience new ways to enjoy it, and experience the lifestyle that comes with owning a Brompton. We guide participants through folding techniques and shifting the internal gear hub—a common source of confusion for first-time riders—while riding. By comparing different bikes, we help riders deeply understand each model's characteristics, supporting them in making an informed choice and purchase. https://www.komoot.com/tour/2544443144?share_token=aHITulkVldsQO8ZTduViGdGjVF2ZkFee5TKZ6D4484fY5EXfHK&ref=wtd

**Radical Empathy – Queer Storytelling for Connection** host by **Neo Seefried** guest: **Sarj Lynch** event for **LGBTQIA+** **[Free event with registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/radical-empathy/w07-2026)** Conflict is everywhere: in our inner lives, relationships, workplaces, communities. Instead of seeing it as rupture or failure, Radical Empathy explores how exchange can transform conflict into queer creativity, resilience, and solidarity. This intimate closed group of 25–30 queer participants will explore how storytelling can hold, transform, and reimagine conflict – personal and collective. We will create a space where queer voices meet – not to erase differences, but to live them and to seek new forms of connection. **Calling in Care When Harm Happens** In this session, we’ll explore some of the ways that our bodies react in moments of rupture, as well as strategies for how we can activate our values to guide our responses when the going gets tough . We’ll learn a simple care protocol that can be applied when painful moments arise in our relationships — whether we are the one experiencing harm, perpetuating it, or witnessing it (or, as so often happens, some combination of the three). **Guest facilitator for this session is Sarj Lynch**, facilitator, community care organizer and co-initiator of aequa. **Sarj Lynch** (they) is a very curious facilitator and community care organizer based in Berlin. They are co-initiator of aequa (2017), aequa Workshops Collective (2020), and Berlin Collective Action e.V. (2020). Together with Bryony Beynon, they run Big Beef and Beyond — an ongoing series of trainings on transformative approaches to tending to harm in our communities, which focuses especially on conflict, harm and abuse in collective, cultural and social movement and organizing work. **General information** **Participant**: this workshop series is open to LGBTQIA+ people, with particular encouragement for those holding multiple marginalizations. **Language**: Depending on the group’s needs, sessions will be held in German and/or English. **Cost**: Free of charge, registration required. 🔵 Konflikte sind allgegenwärtig: in unserem Inneren, in Beziehungen, in der Arbeit, in Communities. Anstatt sie als Bruch oder Scheitern zu sehen, erforscht Radical Empathy, wie Austausch Konflikte in queere Kreativität, Resilienz und Solidarität verwandeln kann. Diese intime, geschlossene Gruppe von queeren Teilnehmenden wird untersuchen, wie Storytelling persönliche und kollektive Konflikte halten, verwandeln und neu imaginieren kann. Wir schaffen einen Raum, in dem queere Stimmen einander begegnen – nicht, um Unterschiede aufzulösen, sondern um sie zu leben und neue Formen der Verbindung zu suchen. In dieser Session werden wir einige der Weisen erkunden, wie unsere Körper in Momenten des Bruchs reagieren, sowie Strategien dafür, wie wir unsere Werte aktivieren können, um unser Handeln zu leiten, wenn es schwierig wird. Wir werden ein einfaches Fürsorge-Protokoll kennenlernen, das angewendet werden kann, wenn schmerzhafte Momente in unseren Beziehungen auftauchen — ganz gleich, ob wir diejenigen sind, die Verletzung erfahren, sie verursachen oder sie bezeugen (oder, wie so oft, eine Kombination aus allem). **Gast-Moderator\*in bei dieser Session ist Sarj Lynch**, Facilitator und Community-Care-Organisator\*in, Gründer\*in von aequa. **Sarj Lynch** (they) ist ein\*e sehr neugierige\*r Vermittler\*in und Organisator\*in für Community Care mit Sitz in Berlin. Sarj ist Mitinitiator\*in von aequa (2017), aequa Workshops Collective (2020) und Berlin Collective Action e.V. (2020). Zusammen mit Bryony Beynon leitet they Big Beef and Beyond – eine fortlaufende Reihe von Schulungen zu transformativen Ansätzen für den Umgang mit Verletzungen in unseren Communities, die sich insbesondere auf Konflikte, Gewalt und Missbrauch in kollektiven, kulturellen und sozialen Bewegungen und Organisationsarbeit konzentriert. **Hinweise** **Teilnehmende:** Die Reihe richtet sich an queere Menschen (LGBTQIA+). Wir empfehlen insbesondere die Teilnahme von Menschen mit mehrfachen Marginalisierungen. **Sprache:** Je nach Bedürfnissen der Gruppe auf Deutsch und/oder Englisch\*\*.\*\* **Kosten:** kostenlos mit Anmeldung. **Mit Unterstützung der Senatsverwaltung für Inneres und Sport – Landeskommission Berlin gegen Gewalt**

Lust auf kreative Inspiration und neue Kontakte? Wir schnappen uns die Kameras (oder das Smartphone!) und erkunden gemeinsam den Bergmannkiez. Gerade jetzt Anfang Februar ist das Licht am Nachmittag oft besonders stimmungsvoll. *** Wir spazieren ganz entspannt vom Platz der Luftbrücke durch die Seitenstraßen, fangen die Architektur der Gründerzeithäuser ein und genießen den Berliner Kiez-Vibe. Es geht nicht um technische Perfektion, sondern um den Spaß am Fotografieren und den Austausch untereinander. *** ### Die Details: * **Wann:** Freitag, 13. Februar 2026 * **Uhrzeit:** 16:00 Uhr – ca. 18:00 Uhr * **Treffpunkt:** U-Bahnhof Platz der Luftbrücke *** ### Wer kann mitmachen? Egal ob du Profi-Fotografin bist oder einfach nur gerne schöne Handyfotos machst – jede Frau ist willkommen! Die Teilnahme ist **komplett kostenlos**. Bring gerne eine Freundin mit. Hinweis: Das Treffen findet auf Deutsch statt. 🇩🇪

Unser internationales Sprachcafé richtet sich an Alt- und Neu-Berliner\*innen, Reisende und Anwohner\*innen - alle sind willkommen! Bei heißem Tee und Kaffee und frischen Waffeln könnt ihr mit Menschen aus aller Welt ins Gespräch kommen. Um das Eis zu brechen, haben wir verschiedene Spieleinheiten vorbereitet - wie zum Beispiel ein Kennlern-Bingo, Impro-Theater-Übungen und ein kleines Berlin-Quiz. Selbstverständlich ist die Teilnahme an den Spielen freiwillig und ihr könnt euch gerne einfach gemütlich unterhalten. Wir möchten vor allem Sprachstudierende ermutigen teilzunehmen, und Berlin in diesem Rahmen aus verschiedenen Perspektiven kennenzulernen, persönliche Kontakte zu knüpfen und in das kulturelle Kiezleben der Stadt einzutauchen. Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis

Join us on a community day trip to one of Poland’s most beautiful and historical cities, Szczecin, just a few hours from Berlin. See the historic Polish city, walk through the old town, the vast parks, and along the city harbour; eat local food and dine at the City Hall; check out local monuments, palaces, and famous architecture, and spend time with a community of curious, local, and like-minded hikers, led by local travel author Dan Cole. WHY GO? Experience layers of European history without the crowds, from the rebuilt Old Town to the Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania; Szczecin tells its Polish, German, and Scandinavian stories in a way that feels calm and approachable. Walk along Wały Chrobrego, with its grand terraces and open views over the Oder. The striking Szczecin Philharmonic isn’t just a landmark; it shows how the city reinvents itself. The route naturally blends bold contemporary architecture with historic streets and leafy parks. Szczecin remains under-visited, which means the experience feels personal. This trip isn’t about rushing between attractions; it’s about spending a day moving through a city that reveals itself gradually, through water, architecture, and calm neighborhoods. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS? * Wały Chrobrego: This monumental riverside terrace offers sweeping views over the Oder River, passing ships, and the port. It’s the perfect introduction to the city’s maritime character and a great place to pause, walk, or take photos. * The Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania: Set just above the river, the castle is both a historic anchor and a viewpoint. Its courtyards and towers tell the story of Szczecin’s shifting borders while offering some of the best views across the city. * Old Town Stare Miasto: Compact, walkable, and lively, Szczecin’s reconstructed Old Town mixes colourful façades with cafés and bars. The Cathedral Basilica of St. James stands out for its scale and rooftop views. * Szczecin Philharmonic: One of Poland’s most striking modern buildings. Even if you don’t attend a concert, seeing the translucent, ice-like façade in daylight (and at dusk) is a highlight and a symbol of Szczecin’s contemporary cultural life. The hike is guided by Dan Cole, an experienced tour guide and hiker, and author of several books, including Beer Hiking Berlin. Dan is also a journalist for Lonely Planet and Easyjet Magazine and offers varying tours across the country for various levels of hikers. Alongside tour guiding Dan also runs a music podcast, and writes for different music magazines. Tickers are available here, starting at EUR 30,- https://www.eventbrite.de/e/day-trip-to-szczecin-a-very-polish-day-out-tickets-1979854100912?aff=oddtdtcreator

This pilgrimage hike follows the **Baruther Linie regional trail**, leading us from Dahlewitz through heathland and villages to the shores of Rangsdorf Lake. It is a gentle, reflective walk about simplicity, honesty with ourselves, and exploring what we might need less of. 📅 **Date & Time** * **Date:** Saturday, February 14, 2026 * **Start:** 10:04 AM at Dahlewitz Train Station *(Travel via RE8 from Berlin Hbf at 9:38 AM – also stops at Potsdamer Platz and Südkreuz)* * **Duration:** Approx. 4–5 hours * **End:** Blankenfelde Train Station *(Frequent return connections via RE8, RB24, or S2 every 5–10 minutes)* 🗺️ **Route Highlights** * [Komoot tour](https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2735010242) * Walking through the Dahlewitz Heath (Dahlewitzer Heide) * Time at Rangsdorf Lake with an optional swim at the lakeside beach * Passing small Brandenburg villages * Nature reserve Former Lake Blankenfelde 🤔 **Why This Hike?** In the week following this hike, Lent and Ramadan begin – two traditions that remind us of the value of conscious restraint and simplicity. This pilgrimage invites reflection on questions such as: * What does “letting go” mean for me right now? * What habits, thoughts, or expectations might I need less of? * What becomes possible when I create space? No religious background is required. The walk is open to people of all beliefs and none. This pilgrimage is an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature, and reflect on life’s important questions. We’ll walk at a relaxed pace, share thoughts, and take time for moments of silence – about 30 minutes to an hour– to listen to nature and our inner voices. 🔔 **What to know & bring** * It’s winter, dress for the season and the weather. Important: hiking or running shoes, warm layered clothing, hat and gloves. * Bring enough food and water for the whole day, as we won’t stop anywhere to buy snacks or drinks. A thermos with hot tea or coffee is highly recommended! * Don’t forget your public transport ticket for the way there and back. * There may be an option for a quick winter dip. If you’d like to try it, bring swimwear, a towel and extra clothes to warm up afterwards. 📩 **Questions & Registration** If you have questions or need help with planning your trip, feel free to reach out. You’re also welcome to join our WhatsApp group for updates and connection before the hike. Feel free to contact Pilgrim Guide Alexander via WhatsApp message (+4915757652601) or email (alexander.steinfeldt@outlook.com). **Waitlist = You're in! 😊** Currently, only 10 members can officially register on Meetup (due to the restrictions of the free version). However, you’re welcome to join the hike by joining the [Whatsapp group](https://www.alexander-steinfeldt.de/hikes/berlin-pilgrims/) for this event.

**This is a cross post from this main event:** **[https://www.meetup.com/berlin-cycling/events/313284671/](https://www.meetup.com/berlin-cycling/events/313284671/)** Since the winter dormancy passes by quicker than you can blink I want to gather recommendation and/or wishes for tours to be cycled this year. If you ever wanted to go to that special place or have lovely memories of a lake or a restaurant (a big plus) but don't know how to go there or don't want to go alone this is YOUR chance. Come and join us and share your ideas, your preferred places and/or your routes. And: this time there is no seat limit! We just may have to switch location in case we're too many. If that's the case I will announce it here Friday night. FYI: If that isn't clear enough: This event is meant to be a discussion and not a "one way sharing of my preferred routes". 😁

Join us to explore our new route with Ruth 🥰 On 14.02., we’ll gather near S-bahn Yorckstraße at 11 am for a 5k run. Meeting point - Biocompany: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XHowLyaiYnSPThXZA?g_st=aw Afterwards we‘ll have a coffee here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mK2fpnc2zCsanfbb6 Don’t worry if you are new! We run at a pace which is comfortable for everyone, so it’s a great chance to start 😉 Take care and see you soon to enjoy another active morning together ❤️ P.S. ‼️️ Please cancel your participation if you can’t show up, even if it’s at short notice so that we don’t wait for you. Thanks! ‼️

***(She loves me!)* A Brief History of Quarry Trails** [Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) traces its origins to a vast limestone quarry operated by the Marble Cliff Quarry Company starting in the early 20th century. The site, located along the Scioto River west of downtown, supplied crushed stone for local construction projects and roads throughout central Ohio. Operations peaked mid-century, with massive excavation creating deep pits and steep cliffs that reshaped the landscape. By the 1980s, demand declined, and the southern section of the quarry closed (with the northern section of the quarry remaining in operation to this day by a separate company), leaving behind scarred terrain and abandoned equipment. Environmental concerns arose as the area became a dumping ground and off-road playground for locals. Columbus Metro Parks began eyeing the property in the 1990s for potential reclamation into public green space. In 2015, Metro Parks acquired the initial 180 acres from the quarry's owners, marking a pivotal step toward transformation. Thrive Companies, a local developer, partnered in the deal to build adjacent housing while funding park improvements. Cleanup efforts removed tons of debris, stabilized cliffs, and addressed water quality in the flooded quarries. Planners envisioned a mix of adventure and preservation, incorporating the site's industrial remnants as features. Community input from nearby Grandview Heights and Hilliard residents shaped early designs. The project gained momentum with state and federal grants supporting habitat restoration. The park officially opened its first phase in November 2021, featuring 3.5 miles of trails, a waterfall overlook, and climbing walls on the quarry faces. Visitors quickly embraced the unique terrain, with mountain biking loops and a 25-foot waterfall drawing crowds from across the metro area. Metro Parks added a canoe/kayak launch on the Scioto River, connecting to the city's broader trail network. Dog parks and picnic areas rounded out the amenities, making it a year-round destination. Expansion continued with land acquisitions pushing the total toward 600 acres. By 2023, the park hosted events like guided hikes and birdwatching tours. Ongoing development includes a planned adventure center with zip lines and more extensive single-track trails set for completion in the coming years. Metro Parks collaborates with conservation groups to plant native species and monitor wildlife returning to the reclaimed quarries. The site now serves as an educational hub, with interpretive signs explaining its quarrying past and ecological recovery. Local schools incorporate field trips to study geology and restoration science. Quarry Trails exemplifies Columbus's shift from industrial reuse to innovative urban parks. It stands as the newest addition to the Metro Parks system, complementing favorites like Scioto Audubon and Highbanks. Today, Quarry Trails continues evolving, with future phases adding connections to the Olentangy Trail and more water access points. Annual visitor numbers have surged, boosting nearby businesses in the evolving west side neighborhoods. The park's success has inspired similar reclamation projects elsewhere in the region. It highlights how Columbus balances growth with green space preservation. Residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind spot that honors the area's gritty history while offering modern recreation. Quarry Trails remains a testament to community vision and adaptive reuse in our city. ***(She loves me not.)* A Briefer History of Valentine's Day** The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and purification rites. During this raucous event, young men drew names of women from a box in a matchmaking lottery, often leading to pairings or marriages. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to Christianize the pagan holiday. Although several early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, the most commonly associated figure is a 3rd-century Roman priest who secretly married couples against Emperor Claudius II's ban on young men marrying, believing single soldiers fought better. Legend claims Valentine was imprisoned and later executed on February 14, around 269–270 AD. The romantic associations with Valentine's Day emerged much later, during the Middle Ages. The pivotal moment came in the late 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "Parlement of Foules" (c. 1381), linked St. Valentine's Day with courtship, writing that birds chose their mates on this date. This literary connection spread rapidly among the English and French nobility, transforming the saint's feast day into a celebration of romantic love. By the 15th century, lovers began exchanging handwritten notes called "valentines," often containing verses or simple declarations of affection. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized, especially in England and later the United States. The introduction of printed valentines in the 1840s, pioneered by Esther Howland in America, turned personal notes into mass-produced cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and Cupid imagery. Factories began producing elaborate cards, and the tradition of giving flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry took hold during the Victorian era. Today, February 14 is one of the most widely celebrated secular holidays worldwide, generating billions in spending on cards, candy, flowers, and romantic dinners. While still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine in some Christian traditions, the modern version has largely shed its religious roots in favor of universal expressions of love and friendship. From ancient fertility rites to global commercial phenomenon, Valentine's Day has evolved dramatically over two millennia while retaining its core focus on human connection. ***(She loves me!)* Map of the Park** Here is a [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg). ***(She loves me not.)* Summary** For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles. Now, this won't be one of our longer hikes. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out more quickly than other parks. I suspect this is because most of the trails are either paved or heavily graveled (no surprise at a park which abuts an active stone quarry), with some elevation changes along the way. ***(She loves me!)* Where We'll Meet** Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event. Set your GPS to [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@39.9998462,-83.0873077,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580!8m2!3d39.9997868!4d-83.0872621!16s%2Fg%2F11y17k0ms5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), or use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and expect it to take you to the correct place. It probably won't. We will meet in the parking lot of the Lake Area. The best entrance to this parking lot will be your first left off of Quarry Trails Dr after Gunnison Dr (which will be on your right). I recommend taking a few minutes and looking at Maps before you head out to make sure you know where you're going. ***(So walk with me...)* Restrooms and Water Fountains** There are a few port-a-potties sprinkled throughout the park (including two at the parking lot we'll be meeting at), and the Park Office, roughly in the center of the park and which we'll pass twice on this hike, has restrooms and a water fountain. This is the only water fountain, though, at Quarry Trails. ***(At Trails Quarry!*)** **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [Johnnie's Tavern](https://johnniestavern614.com/) for [drinks](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhAulLarLYZC3hY_vRGwoakV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSzkwnMN29-lrgzp50Rzeaq5jXCGM1xLS1poH0Mc52-E9NYBvdS99ei7zGmlAYJZyk8OeNW5YvS7agj8M2Bom4ri1m_-NcJiT-LQUDphkS-SB5Vq8JhO-8NSP-_m80HeLz4-pGhjrwhuBKSv%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and [food](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB5lD4Uly_4O9BjNH4r3ywB!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSy7tQcc7CtCeuUAKwEVJoxtOs8Ycohjy3mGZZOC_kJVdB8wEaGuC4-p5z_jxn2JnpmSEkh_HG7Aok_ZPEgmK57rEBqNIPH8J5tiyAP5vbrRYkUso_fKTkW5vJc47UusNoGiRzs2Vf0m1JcV%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Its actual address is [3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3503+Trabue+Rd,+Columbus,+OH+43204/@39.9932491,-83.090227,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891c4d6199677:0x1fda03b0add81e7c!8m2!3d39.9932491!4d-83.090227!16s%2Fg%2F11c14yf3m6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's only about a five minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.

We will meet next to the restrooms at the [Big Meadows Picnic Area](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/HBK_Web_1980.png). They're all the way at the back of the park, and they can be found at coordinates [40°09'06.6"N 83°02'30.2"W](https://www.google.com/maps/place/40%C2%B009'06.6%22N+83%C2%B002'30.2%22W/@40.151828,-83.0423587,214m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m10!1m5!3m4!2zNDDCsDA5JzA4LjAiTiA4M8KwMDEnNDUuMSJX!8m2!3d40.1522222!4d-83.0291944!3m3!8m2!3d40.151827!4d-83.041715?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTIwNC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) (near the playground and the zip line). We'll hike about 5 miles at [Highbanks Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/highbanks/) on the Dripping Rock and Overlook Trails. Afterward, we'll head over to [Olentangy River Brewing](https://www.olentangybrew.com/) for drinks, coffee, or food (their Sunday [food truck](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood) is Venezuelan and always gets good reviews). The actual address of the brewery is [303 Green Meadows Dr S, 43035](https://www.google.com/maps/place/303+Green+Meadows+Dr+S,+Lewis+Center,+OH+43035/@40.1551938,-83.0144045,17.25z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x8838f395cef06c97:0xe407de61b3e30069!8m2!3d40.1551765!4d-83.0124352!16s%2Fg%2F11c26jc7j9?entry=ttu). If you can't make the hike, we should be there by noon. **How to find our starting point in Big Meadows:** If you are new to Highbanks, the Big Meadows picnic area is 1.5 miles into the park just after you turn into the park off of U.S. Route 23. That is, after you enter the park, drive a mile and a half into the park. You will come to a crosswalk with a yield sign in the middle of it (this is not to be confused with the first such crosswalk you come to just in front of the Nature Center, which you arrive at maybe a quarter of a mile into the park). Just after this second crosswalk, make a left. Then make another almost immediate left into the parking lot on your left. There you will see the jungle gym and the kiddie zip line to your left. I will be just in front of the restrooms just a bit further down from the jungle gym and picnic shelter; the restroom building will also be on your left.

Meet at Wolfe Park parking lot by tennis courts. We willl walk along Alum Creek trail, through Jeffrey Mansion Park then along Bexley neighborhood and back. Optional lunch at Trolley District.

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.