The MAD Outdoors Club

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I’ve always been an outdoorsy sort of guy. I like stuff like hiking, bicycling, camping, and can even be talked into caving if it’s not a serious trip.

I’m willing to bet I’m not the only MAD so inclined, which is the reason for this thread. There’s nothing wrong with getting together in restaurants, but the idea of joining a group of Dopers for a hike in the Blue Ridge, a bike ride on the W&OD Trail, a weekend in a PATC cabin, or something along those lines, would be a lot of fun too.

So, who else in the Mid-Atlantic area likes getting away from their computers and into nature, and what sort of stuff do you like doing once you get there? Sound off!

2

This would not be me. Anyone who liked me before a weekend camping trip would find me whiny and insufferable afterwards.

– Fran Lebowitz.

Robin

3

The Bluesclan would definitely be in for this. We’re big fans of outdoor stuff. And we are all pretty relaxed and easy to get along with on camping trips.

Plus, we have lots of cool gear. Some with inscrutable, yet entertaining, japlish sayings on them.

4

I am a fat lump and as such am not great with the outdoors, but I would give it a shot.

5

Lucretia - Cool! We’ll definitely have to do a camping trip or two this spring, before y’all disappear for, um, wherever. :slight_smile:

Ginger - please join us, whenever this turns into an actual trip! Not everyone has to go on the 12-mile hike; people can do that, or they can hang around the cabin/campsite/whatever and explore the stuff more nearby.

Robin - different strokes for different folks. We luvs ya anyway.

6

Huh - my previous post didn’t bump the thread; it’s still showing up on the list as not having been posted to since Gingy’s post.

Let’s see if this helps.

7

This falls into the category of “Things that I tend not to do normally, but probably should.” I’ll give it a go if something gets set up.

If it doesn’t work out, Ginger and I can go down the road for a beer or something :slight_smile:

8

Hi. I like to hike and camp, esepically in the Shenandoah NP. I’m also a PATC member. I’m also doing sections of the Appalachian Trail.

So, pencil me in if the date/place is right.

9

In one of the more recent MAD threads, I mentioned (and I will repeat) that my spousal unit suggested a Boat Dope. We can’t fit a whole lot of people on our boat - no more than 6 in addition to us - but the whole Inner Harbor is there. The water taxi runs $5 for unlimited rides all day, and it stops at Harbor Place, Fells Point, and all kinds of other places, including our marina. Interested individuals could take turns going out on Wandering Star. Anyway, it’s a semi-outdoors venue, and we could end the day with a cookout on the marina pool barge.

As to camping and such - never have, so I have no gear. Husband camped years ago, but he no longer has any gear. But if we don’t need tents and sleeping bags, we’re possible participants if I’m in town. I can take nature in little doses. :smiley:

10

Only 12 miles? C’mon, pansies!

Very much kidding, but I do like outdoorsy stuff. Economical entertainment, even better with alliteration and good company. Hiking and camping sound great to me, bicycling is sort of high on the “equipment necessary” factor. I don’t see why we can’t combine “Great Outdoors” and “Great beer” though…Anyway, I’d certainly make an effort to show for a DopeCamp!

11

Great idea, RT!

Camping sounds good, and I’d be up for it, but maybe we could start with something less ambitious. How about a day trip?

-Picnic on Skyline Drive. Those who want to can hike, the rest of us can fly a kite, blow bubbles or just hang out and annoy the bears.

-Hike the Billy Goat Trail (short day trip) or Old Rag (full day).

-Cookout at Sandy Point State Park before the sea nettles come in.

-Great Falls, on either side of the river, is always a good bet.

I really like FCM’s Boat Dope idea. That water taxi is one of the ultimate cheap thrills!

12

I am with you! I live in Takom Park, MD and try to get out at least once a month rain or shine for backcountry backpacking. I like the Shenandoah okay, but I prefer the George Washington National Forest (less peeps).

I leave the country Friday, but I’m back in May and I am always looking for people to hike with.

13

Yes! Outdoor Doping!

Count me in for the 12 mile hikes, the overnight backpacking trips, the car camping trips, the kayaking trips, the bike rides on the C&O, W&OD, North Central, the fishing trips on the Patomac and everything else. I even Geocache.
I have a couple of bikes, a couple of kayaks, some tents and backpacks and various other outdoor stuff stashed around my place. I live in Harpers Ferry, which is right by the Appalachian Trail (can walk to it from my house) and the C&O Canal Towpath.

Since I have a funky schedule, there is the possibility for weekday trips, when things are less crowded.

14

If this works out for you RT, I’m swiping the idea. Even if this here IS only the Mid-West.

15

I’ll throw my hat in the (fire) ring. I have tents, giant tarps, a double kayak, bike, and camping stuff. Lots of toys.

Oh, do I bring guitars and banjos or sitars and drums?

Kuummbbbaaayyyaaaa, My (sweet)Loooorrrddddd, kuuuummmbbbayyyyaaaa,

16

We could try hiking the Appalachian Trial from Route 9 to Harpers Ferry. That ain’t all THAT many miles.

I’m selling Lady Chance on the idea now. I’ll take suggestions for arguments.

17

I prefer being outdoors than indoors myself. Love going for hikes in the mountains, love cycling (I cycle to work), but my passion would be skydiving. When the temperature improves, over here usually around late March, I’ll be spending all my weekends on the DZ (dropzone), and i’ll be jumping every waking moment of those weekends.
Only skydivers know why birds sing!

18

Thanks for the responses, all!

Arky - you’re a PATC member? Cool! I oughta rejoin - I was a member before moving out of the DC area many years ago, then let my membership lapse after a few years away. One advantage of being a member is being able to reserve any PATC cabin, rather than just the handful they open to nonmembers.

Anita, Jonathan - I like the suggestions of the Billy Goat Trail (centrally located) and the AT up by Harpers Ferry (probly one of the more lightly hiked stretches, not to mention close to the Chance manse).

madmonk - I know what you mean about the crowds that can descend (ok, maybe it’s ascend, given that it’s high up) on SNP in nice weather. GWNF can be good for overnight stuff, but is kinda far for day hikes. OTOH, stretches of the AT north of SNP are also less crowded, and closer in for many of us.

FCM - nothing wrong with a BoatDope too!

Theios - anytime you want to get together for a bike ride, I’m interested! My schedule’s not as offbeat as yours, but I do have alternate Fridays off for hitting the bike trails or the side roads without having to fight the traffic. petcat, same goes for you - what’s your schedule like?

And who knows - you guys just might be able to entice me into a kayak, which is something I’ve never tried but looks fun.

Rue, by all means, steal this idea.

I’m thinking the stretch of the AT that Jonathan Chance mentioned might be a good first hike. How far is it from Harpers Ferry to Route 9, JC? (It’ll be a little longer by trail than by road, of course.) And is there somewhere nearby where we can retire for beer and food afterwards?

And when shall we do this? Anyone up for Saturday, March 29?

19

RTF, I’d be up for getting into a kayak with you, but not a kuyak.

(Inuqtitut humour. Kuyak means something not allowed in MPSIMS. Laugh.)

20

Sounds like a lot of fun, but the 29th is a bad weekend for me. :frowning: