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20th Anniversary Hiking Day on August 23th, 2025

For our 20th anniversary hiking day, 43 House and Team Barrett owners had registered. This hiking day was a special occasion for everyone, as it was the last hiking day organized by "Dog Mom" and her family. Therefore, this time she had chosen a route with stunning views.

Exactly 14 years ago, her sister Rita had chosen this route.

Even the weather cooperated. A week earlier, this tour would have been almost impossible due to the heat. The Haus Barrett participants were able to hike in perfect weather conditions. Around 22 degrees Celsius, no rain; pleasant for all two- and four-legged friends.

The hiking route was easy for everyone, except for the initial climb of approximately 362 steps. This climb was rewarded with a truly beautiful view. The view provided an opportunity to take a breather before continuing on the route.

A self-catered lunch break had been planned at the viewpoint, the group arrived promptly at 11:30 a.m.


Around 12:30 p.m., the group set off on short climbs and descents toward the Günderode House. "Dog Mom" had reserved part of the beautiful location for the time from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

By the time the group arrived, everything was already perfectly prepared. With good cake and coffee and a beautiful view, the group was able to refuel. The following pictures provide a glimpse of the coffee break. Dog Mom found this location ideal for presenting the gift she had brought for each participating family. "Dog Mom" addressed a few words to the group. In particular, she let the participants know that this hike would likely not be the last Haus-Barrett hike, as a Barrett owner had agreed at short notice to continue this tradition next year. This suggestion was greeted with applause by everyone.

Around 3:30 p.m. the group set off on the final route. Oberwesel was our destination. Following the route along the city wall, the participants reached the boat landing at around 4:30 p.m. The group then had time to relax along the shore and take a few photos of their four-legged friends.


At 5:30 p.m. sharp, the boat returned to the starting point in St. Goar. The Winzerhau Gärtner restaurant awaited the hikers for dinner around 6:30 p.m.

There, Arthur and Dagmar were surprised by their longtime friend Andreas with an unforgettable speech. In it, they looked back on 20 years of Haus Barrett hikes. Following this "very emotional speech," Andreas presented them both with a gift on behalf of all the participating Barrett families: "A balloon ride in the Sauerland." What a wonderful gift! The balloon ride will take place soon. "Dog Mom" will report back in due course.

A special thank you goes to all participants for this gift and to their longtime friend Andreas, who went to so much trouble to make this evening such a success.

Some families had booked accommodation for all three days of the hiking weekend, so we had the opportunity to round off this unforgettable weekend with a few families again on Sunday morning in the beautiful little town of Bacharach.


The following pictures show excerpts from this wonderfully beautiful hike with the Barrett families, without whom Haus-Barrett would not have been able to have such a wonderful time. The Barrett Team would like to take this opportunity to thank all the families for your loyalty over almost three decades, with participation in our annual hiking day and the purchase of a second, sometimes even third, "Barrett bear".

Now Haus- and Team Barrett is looking to the future and hopefully looking forward to a hiking day next year. This will be hosted by "Carmen." House-Barrett website will again be your first point of contact for organization and information, if desired. The date of the next hiking day will be announced on our "Events page for 2026."


The pictures published below show an excerpt from our 20th anniversary hiking day.


We wish all "Barrett families" continued joy with one of our little bears and, of course, good health for all two- and four-legged friends, and we look forward to seeing you again in 2026.

House and Team Barrett

The pictures above show our traditional meal one day before the hike. Jango, Champ, and Koko were also present.


Saturday morning 8:00 a.m., meeting point at the bus parking lot in St. Goar

After the greeting, "Dog Mom" briefly explained the course of the tour before heading towards the "old town" of St. Goar

Waiting in front of the bakery until all participants had bought something delicious for lunch

Afterwards the group went towards the "staircase with the approximately 362 steps"

This showed who was in good shape. All participants mastered the steps excellently. Some, of course, took short breaks.

Once at the top, the hikers were rewarded with an excellent view

The next section took the group through a field landscape

The young people also enjoyed the short breaks along the way

The hikers reached the lunch stop at exactly 11:30 AM

Everyone exchanged ideas and enjoyed the place with its beautiful view. Lots of pictures were taken. Below, we like to introduce the individual four-legged friends.

to the left Champ and to the right Jango

Vito, a progeny of Gwendi and Champ

Vicky with Jango and Champ. Jango is just as cuddly as his dad Gino and his grandfather Tyson were.

Koko is always recognizable. She never leaves Jacko's side.

Inseparable friends

Part of the Haus-Barrett Clan

on the right we see Tessa, a daughter of our Enza

on the right we see another son of our Gino, called Campino

Simba, a progeny of our Bacira and Champ

Iceman, a young male of Koko and Lucky

Another Gino son

on the right Yazoo and his girl-friend

Haus- und Team Barrett Clan with Koko, Champ and Jango

Our Champ

The above pictures show Koko, Champ and Jango

This background invited photography. Champ and Jango

Exactly 14 years ago, a picture of our unforgettable Tyson was taken on this stone.

Now a picture of his grandson "Jango" was taken at the same place. Tyson was already 8 years old at the time. Jango is now 1 1/2 years old. The resemblance between the two is unmistakable.

Tyson in 2011

The hikers arrived promptly at 2 p.m. for a coffee break

An unforgettable backdrop was offered to all two- and four-legged friends

The restaurant operator had everything perfectly organized for the hikers. They served excellent cake and coffee.

This "location" took "Dog Mom" as an opportunity to give a short speech and to present the gift she had brought with her to each family and to thank them for all the years they have shared together.

It is intended to commemorate the 20 wonderful days of hiking together with Haus-Barrett and expresses exactly what a German Shepherd means to us

Translation: "A GSD is a loyal friend and a heart on four paws"

Every single minute of the approximately 1 1/2 hour coffee break was simply enjoyed

Before taking off on the last stretch of the hike, a "Barrett photo" was taken

Afterwards the group started off on the approximately 1-hour hike to Oberwesel

Individual and group photos were taken again before arriving in the beautiful town of Oberwesel

Something new for our four-legged friends, but they wouldn't be Barretts if they hadn't mastered these different surfaces; so these permeable steps were also overcome, even if it sometimes required some persuasion!

This was, last but not least, another special part of the hike. Now the group headed towards the boat dock.

As you can see from the pictures, everyone had a lot of fun hiking on old the city wall

The shore was reached at 4:30 p.m. There was enough time to buy boat tickets and relax and chat before the return journey on the ship

The approximately 20-minute return trip on the ship was enjoyed by all two- and four-legged friends

We then met around 6.30 pm for dinner at the "Winzerhaus Gärtner"

This is where the surprise for "Dog Mama" and "Arthur" took place, accompanied by a very emotional speech from their long-time friend "Andreas."


THAT WAS A REALLY SURPRISE!

Our friend "Marion," Andreas's partner, had her birthday on the day of our hike. Andreas took this opportunity to present her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and thank her again for her care over the past few months, during which she had to manage everything at home more or less on her own, as Andreas was known to be suffering from severe health problems

The participants then slowly brought this wonderful day to a close in a relaxed atmosphere with delicious food.

Final breakfast on Sunday morning in the beautiful town of Bacharach

In conclusion: Over the past two weeks, we've received numerous emails and guestbook entries saying that the Barrett Hiking Days have been so wonderful over the past two decades. We sincerely hope that this tradition will be continued—even if by a different organizer. We're confident it will. And yes, we spent unforgettable hours together, and we'll certainly spend them again in the future! Please keep an eye on our annual event page!