The worst winter storm in recorded European history was Cyclone Lothar in 1999. In the Black Forest there is a strip of land which was left to heal itself. It’s possible to walk through the area and see what happens if nature is left to do its own thing. In order not to disturb this process visitors are not allowed to walk on the ground but on the raised planks leading through the emerging forest.
My husband’s first name is Lothar so he has a special connection to the area.
In 1999, a cyclone made landfall in Europe. It was considered the worst windstorm in the area in the 20th century.
The Cosmic Photo Challenge: Into the wind
On 26 December 1999 a winter storm or hurricane called Lothar raced across Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Black Forest in Germany. The devastation was vast. After clearing up all the mowed down trees, reforestation was tackled but in a particular area in the Black Forest a section of the woods was left untouched so that one could see how nature recuperated if left alone. A walkway was constructed to allow access without damaging the re-growth.
Ten years later one can still see the swath of destruction of the hurricane.
The walkway leading over the small bushes and trees starting to reclaim the soil.
The trees which had been uprooted were left lying where they fell and their roots were exposed to the elements.
We didn’t live in Germany then but we visited the “Lotharpfad” (Lothar path) ten years later. My husband in particular enjoyed the trip as he is called Lothar. He also enjoyed the headline of a tabloid a year later which read: “How much is a Lothar?” with the article tallying up the cost of the storm.
For One Word Sunday with the topic devastation.
pictures imperfect blog 