25. Sep 2026

Marzling - Buch am Erlbach

Photo 1: Today is the last of 102 days on the Snail-Trail from Scotland to my home in Germany. Astrid picked me up last night in Marzling so I would not have to sleep in the tent on the bank of the Isar River. Today I walk then with a light backpack with just my lunch, water and a few other things. Robert and his dog Sari from Moosburg will join me on this last stretch just as they did last year on my way back from Snail-Trail 3.0. The weather conditions are optimal. I had a good dinner last night and breakast this morning, slept well in my own bed at night. All these past days there was the question whether I would make it to this day. Now I know. God's grace has brought me back home.

Photo 2: The path along the Isar turned into a jungle at one point. Fallen trees had blocked the path here and there. It was obvious that very few people had gone that way in recent days. Most walk the comfortable bike path on the other side of the river. Nothing like an adventure on the last day...

Photo 3: Oops! Sari must have stepped on a bee or nettel. Her foot did not have a cut, but something was bothering it. She kept stopping to sit down and lick it. Robert then carried her on his shoulders like a shepherd for about a mile to a point where his daughter could pick her up with the car. We finished the walk to my home without Sari, but took a different path than originally planned.

Robert would like someday to walk to Spain on the Camino. He is also walking with Jesus and endeavoring to do so in the midst of the challenges he faces with his business. We talked about the pilgrim path and the staight and narrow way following Jesus.

Photo 4: "Willy was glad to dip his fins back in his own home river."

I had walked along the shores of oceans, lakes and many rivers, but walking along the Isar River is different. It is my "home" river. I know the sights, sounds, smells, bends in the river and where the gravel banks are. I recognize the plants that grow here and the songs of the birds. It is part of the feeling of being back home.

I hope Alfie from Downpatrick in Ireland is reading this blog. He asked me to take this ribbon with a the metal claps from his sports club with me to Germany and throw it into a river near my home. I told him that I would not throw it in the river, but take a picture of it by the river and post the photo in this blog. I have kept my promise. Alfie, please know that Jesus will also keep his promise to be with you and lead you through life if you ask and trust him.

Photo 5: It is so good to be back home after such a long journey! My wonderful family was waiting for me, and we celebrated the American holiday Thanksgiving two months early with turkey and all the trimmings!