Tag: Washington DC

Adventure Walking: Walking for Fun and as a Sport

dreamstime_xs_33529235 - Walking WoodsImagine walking through dense woods. You’re surrounded by trees as far as the eye can see. You’re walking on a path perfectly carved in front of you. You’ve never been in these woods before but you know where you’re going. Someone has marked the trail to guide you along the way. You breathe fresh, clean air as you make your way and your in the company of other walkers. You’re taking a walking adventure through the woods.

Imagine walking through a picturesque small town. You pass small shops and restaurants along the main street. Any minute, you expect to see a sign welcoming you to Mayberry or a similar town from a TV show. You take a turn at the barbershop and there stands the Town Hall. A building built over a hundred years ago and still being used. You have all the details because you have directions with points of interest and fun facts. Someone gave it to you at the start of your walking adventure through a small town.

You can walk through a Civil War battlefield or along the shoreline in a state park. You can explore an antique row or view historic architecture. A world of adventure (and exercise) awaits you in volkssporting (or volksmarching).

What is volkssporting? There are clubs around the United States that plan walking, hiking and bicycling events. These events take place nearly every weekend. Find your local walking club for a list of events near you (or check here). There’s a small fee (usually $3.00 per person) to receive the map, directions and information for the event. Each event has a 3.1 mile (5 km) or 6.2 mile (10 km) option. It’s noncompetitive so you walk, run, hike or bike at your own pace. It’s family friendly so bring the kids.

Each event has a startpoint and an endpoint. Your local club will list the event and its startpoint. Drive to the startpoint. Pay the fee for the package of information and start walking. The instructions will guide you along the way. Long-time walkers are happy to answer questions at the startpoint and along the event.

The Maryland Volkssport Association has 7 clubs listed:

  1. ANNAPOLIS AMBLERS – Annapolis, MD
  2. BALTIMORE WALKING CLUB – Baltimore, MD
  3. COLUMBIA VOLKSMARCH CLUB – Columbia, MD
  4. FREESTATE HAPPY WANDERERS – Burtonsville, MD
  5. GREAT GREENBELT VOLKSMARCHERS – Greenbelt, MD
  6. SENECA VALLEY SUGARLOAFERS – Gaithersburg, MD
  7. WASHINGTON DC AREA VOLKSMARCH CLUB – Alexandria, VA

The Northern Virginia Volksmarchers Club is also very active.

Give is a try! Some events coming up are:

  1. 04/16/2016 – Port O’ Bladensburg Event – Bladensburg, MD
  2. 04/23/2016 – Washington Grove & Gaithersburg – Gaithersburg, MD
  3. 04/25/2016 – Night Walk Alexandria – Alexandria, VA
  4. 04/30/2016 – Montpelier 20th Annual Festival of Herbs, Tea & the Arts – Laurel, MD
  5. 05/07/2016 – Walk Around the World -Embassy’s Open Houses – Washington, DC

Enjoy the adventure. Get the exercise!

Thank you for reading Maryland Travel Stories!

Obscura Day 2016 is Coming. Are You Ready to Explore?

Obscrua Day

Atlas Obscura (a media organization) plans events all over the world on “Obscura Day”. The events are adventures, excursions and tours. There are over 150 events planned in 35 states and 25 countries for 2016. The ideas is to get people out exploring the world near them on this one day. Find an adventure near you! The events planned for Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland are as follows:

  1. ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA – Taverns & Women & Chocolate (Oh My!) – Come learn about what it took to live the tavern life while enjoying an 18th century chocolate drink!
  2. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – The Hunt for the Mummified Mole Paw – Stop by Bazaar this Obscura Day to try your luck at finding the paw!
  3. FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA – Behind the Scenes at the National Firearms Museum – Join us for a special tour of the NRA National Firearms Museum, where thousands of historic and unusual firearms are waiting.
  4. MT VERNON, VIRGINIA – The Famous Fakes, Forgeries & Frauds of George Washington – Prepare to enter the world of deception where fake, forged and fraudulent George Washington artifacts can elude even the experts’ eyes.
  5. SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND – Save Our Seminary – Join us as we explore long-forgotten National Park Seminary with the non-profit that’s saving it.
  6. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Protecting the Capitol – From legendary stones to a hidden fort, join us as we discover what protected the Capitol.
  7. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Twilight at Tudor Place – After a day full of exploring, join us at Georgetown’s Tudor Place for music, drinks, and merriment.
  8. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Get Your Bearings at Compass Coffee – Join us bright and early at Compass Coffee to get your Obscura Day 2016 started off in the right direction.
  9. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Houdini Escapes DC – Join us as we explore Houdini’s connection to Washington DC and create a little magic of our own.
  10. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cut It Off! An Amputation Demonstration – Watch as a skilled medical historian amputates a (model) leg using Civil War-era surgical tools.
  11. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legends of the Octagon House – Join us as we go behind-the-scenes after hours at the District’s most notorious house.

Don’t live in the DC metro area? Check the website for an adventure near you.

Thank you for reading Maryland Travel Stories!

Spring Time Dishes In A Bright Home: An EatWith Experience in DC

An EatWith ExperienceI wrote a post about EatWith. It explains what EatWith is and how sad I was to find out there’s no EatWith experience in the state of Maryland. (There’s none in Virginia either.) Washington, DC (District Of Columbia) has the only EatWith experience in the region.

I was dying to try EatWith so I booked tickets for my wife and I.  We attended “Spring Time Dishes In a Bright Home.” A colorful name for the event. Raleigh Clemens was a wonderful host and she does have a bright DC home. She can handle up to 12 guests per event. (Check her schedule for upcoming events.)

There were 6 people at our event including our host. All the guest were trying EatWith for the first time. Imagine setting down for dinner with 6 people, most you’re meeting for the first time. Our party consisted of our host; two federal government employees who came there from work; a retiree traveling the world; along with my wife and I. Good food. Good conversation. All in a bright home! That’s an EatWith experience! I’m looking forward to my next experience … hopefully somewhere in Maryland.

Thanks for reading the Maryland Travel Stories Blog!