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Jul 31, 2009

Governor's Cup

A lot of activity here at the Warehouse. Storm clouds clustering overhead and Sox fans assembling underneath. We're definitely under siege.

I'm hoping the clouds are more contained than the Sox fans. Tonight is the start of Governor's Cup, and while you can postpone a baseball game for inclimate weather, I don't know if it's ever happened to this annual sailboat classic.

Governor's Cup is the annual race between Maryland's two Capital Cities -- Annapolis, current hub of government (sorry, Baltimore) and St. Mary's City, the original colonial capital. The Governor's Cup is unusual in that the 70 mile race takes place overnight. That can be particularly dicey in the Chesapeake where depths are tricky and you never know where crab pots have been abandoned. Throw in a summer squall, and Dark and Stormy becomes more than the beverage of choice.

Hopefully, the clouds will stay where they are and spare the fleet gathering at Thomas Point Light in a few hours. I'd like to go to St. Mary's tomorrow to experience the race finish. I've been told it's a real gas, but skewered towards the younger race crowd. St. Mary's College is one of the top rated schools for racing, so they are always well represented at this event, as is the Naval Academy, who have their own reputation on the seas.

There are sure to be old salts there as well, but I'm trying to convince Ashley to go since this is more her demographic than mine. There is one veteran who is sure to be in attendance -- Jim Muldoon of Annapolis. His "Donneybrook" is always a top contender, and the sailing center at SMC is named for him.

Competitive, as well as recreational, sailing is huge in Maryland. No matter how you trim your sails, the Governor's Cup has appeal for its celebration of the sport and its heritage. If you happen to be in Southern Maryland tomorrow, but sure to go by. You can read more about the race here:

http://www.smcm.edu/govcup/

Jul 28, 2009

SmackDown in Town

I saw the semis stacked on Hopkins Plaza on my way to work this morning. There must have been six of them, visible from Mt. Vernon, covered with pictures of snarling beasts and alluring temptresses. The circus is back in town. But not the Barnum and Bailey version.

WWE's traveling road show, SmackDown, has landed. The ringmaster blows his whistle at 6:45 and the theatrics begin. The performance will be taped in high def for broadcast Friday night.

Say what you will about pro wrestling being entertainment as opposed to sport. (Even Shaquille O'Neill got into the act last night, behind the microphone for the live Raw presentation in DC.) While far from the Greco-Roman Olympic bouts, pro-wrestling has its own following.

A few years ago, I was returning to Camden Yards for an evening meeting and caught the light rail at Cromwell. Found myself on the 1st Mariner Express, with a carload of fans bound for the arena. I struck up a conversation with a contemporary who had his young son with him. They had traveled from the Eastern Shore for this evening. The kid was so excited he could barely sit still. Reminded me of scenes from long ago. Like junior high, watching Channel 11 on black and white.

Hey, remember Bruno Sammartino? I asked the guy.

Not only did he remember Bruno, he'd gone to see him at the Civic Center (that's what it was called in the 60's.) Haystacks Calhoun, too. Those were the days. He went with his old man, every year. And now he was still going to the same place with his son. What a great tradition.

Wrestling, in whatever form, on whatever medium, will always hold a place in the heart of Baltimore. Unlike duckpins, it seems to have survived evolution.

I probably won't be there tonight. But I'll have to observe the assembling multitudes outside the arena when I leave work. Fathers and sons, a few aspiring divas, the star-struck and the honest to goodness fans. If you aren't there, you can catch it Friday night on cable.

Jul 26, 2009

Bravo!! Encore?

The last word has yet to be writ on the Chelsea-Milan match. You’ve read accounts of the match (many posted on this site) and seen the visuals on TV. You’ve heard what the promoters, boosters and operations folks had to say. Pretty soon we’ll get some bottom line figures from Dr. B on the economic impact of the event.

There are many dimensions to success, but we focus on this facet: when will it happen again?

It’s no secret Maryland (and particularly Baltimore) is in the hunt for more marquee events. The Ravens have stated they’d like to be a part of next year’s barnstorming tour. (NOTE: The Ravens seem to have connections far beyond mere mortals. Did you notice that the thunderstorm – predicted all day – did not deluge until 30 minutes after the match? )

Those around Dick Cass said he was never far from weather dot com the entire evening, but it had to be Divine Intervention, not Divine Internet, that kept the storm from pelting our pitch. Remember, these are the guys who discovered Joe Flacco, so don’t question their connections.

Meanwhile, it has been reported (I didn’t squeal) that Baltimore is making another big pitch (of the non-sod variety) to be part of the US bid to host the FIFA World Cup. Truth be known, that mega performance Friday night was actually an audition. It was our turn to strut our stuff on our stage for a member of the US bid committee (who was in the stadium) and those kazillions who were watching us from around the world.


So how did we do?

Before the game, I did some informal field testing. One of the first stops was our local watering hole. (NOTE: Terry wants to make it clear this was after work hours and no alcohol was consumed during the survey.) Pickles was designated an official “Chelsea” gathering place, and three hours before the match the “Blues” festivities had spilled onto Washington Boulevard. Inside, the Texas Chelsea club was selling gear and flags. Yes, there was a sizeable delegation from Texas in attendance. Ironic, since Chelsea was playing in Dallas in two days. These guys are true groupies

Not everyone got the memo. A contingent of Milan fans from Atlanta were alone in a back corner. I suggested Little Italy might be more appropriate, but they were content to stay in Chelseaville and observe. A little later, I encounter another group of red and black clad fans outside. They knew they were in the wrong place, but figured they’d stay anyway since they liked the festive atmosphere and enjoyed making snarky observations about the opposing fans and their weird accents. (People from Jersey do not have accents, they explained)

Bottom line – everyone I talked to was from somewhere else. One fellow had drive from North Carolina to spend the weekend with friends who were meeting him there from Albany. Distance is not deterrent to hard core soccer fans. Why Chelsea? Something to do with cable carrying their games. Like the Cub fans in Somoa who get WGN on satellite, you never know who might be tuned in at odd hours of the day.

Were they having a good time in Maryland? Too early to tell. But they were excited to have this opportunity within driving distance.

(Let’s hear it for Tankagas State!! That card may trump everything in the deck)

I’ll spare you the tailgate experiences (although the Crystal Palace setup at Lot O was a great idea and the Caribbean Band was a nice touch) and move to the crowd outside the stadium. This was the most heartwarming part of the evening for me, because of all the little kids, there with their families, who were having almost a mystical experience. Many were dressed in Chelsea and Milan kits and I have the scrapped shins to prove how much fun they had kicking balls around while trying to burn off energy. (They wouldn’t stand still to have their pictures taken and it was my own fault for getting between them)

Despite all that happened on the inside of the stadium, with all the hype and all the energy, this was my favorite part of the evening. Those kids had found nirvana. I learned later they were part of the Bays organization who escorted their idols on to the field.

While everyone else was preparing for opening ceremonies, I was huddled in front of the TV, tuned into ESPN, with some attendants at the Club level elevator. Yes, it’s always better to see a sports event live -- unless you want to know how the rest of the world perceives it. Then you see it through their eyes.

Special shout out to John Angelos of the Orioles and Jay Newman of WJZ They made it possible for us to furnish ESPN with high definition footage of Baltimore at its best – beautiful aerial shots of the stadiums, the harbor, and downtown at night. This “b-roll” is important to have in your arsenal when broadcasts are taking place. They help the show producers give the event an important “sense of place” In our case, it reminds viewers there is much more to Baltimore than what you see on “The Wire”

So with my back to the field, I could savor the superlatives of the broadcast team. I don’t know how many times they repeated “sellout crowd here in Baltimore” but there are no sweeter words in the world of retail sports. Yes, the enthusiasm of the crowd was impressive, yes the stadium is beautiful (nice shots of the Raven gargoyle on the upper deck) and yes, everyone was having a great time in the pubs prior to the game.

But there’s nothing like those words “sellout crowd” to catch the attention of rights-holders the world over.

I left early (no traffic jam for this one) and went home to bed. Even slept through the thunderstorm, because the best was yet to come, pr wise.

After a big event (or anticipating a major story) I always wake up in the middle of the night for the scan – a search for all news reports before they appear in print..

It’s like going to Sardi’s after a Broadway opening, to read the first reviews from the morning papers.

At 3:00 am Saturday, I knew our production was an unqualified hit. Boffo, as Variety would say. Two thumbs up. Five stars.

I did my copy and paste and sent the stories along before going back to sleep. Because the end of story has yet to be writ. That will happen when we know they’re coming back.

Jul 24, 2009

. . . and the skies are Chelsea blue . ..

What a relief after all those gloomy forecasts! It’s 6:00, two full hours before the match begins and Camden Yards is jumping. Tailgate parties along Raven Walk, Gate A and Lot O began filling up an hour ago, and there is a steady stream of pedestrian traffic strolling down Eutaw Street towards M&T. Hope the weather stays clear and beautiful as it is now.

An observation – these fans are like Red Sox Nation. They travel in costume. I’m wondering if they are going to get seated that way. I don’t know if they stated a preference on their ticket requests. It will be interesting to see if the Milan partisans are randomly scattered among Chelsea’s. Not like they could blend in with those black and red kits.

Lots of energy, and no hooligans. Should be a great night.

Foul Weather Fans

Periodic downpours Thursday cancelled team practices, but did nothing to discourage truly hearty (seemingly waterproof) futbol fans.  An estimated 1,000 of them, most wearing partisan colors, flocked to the lower concourse at M&T Bank Stadium for brief encounters with some of the players.

Here are a few pix. (Yes, that's Ronaldinho on the left.)   Just wish there was sound so you could get the real flavor of the pandemonium.


Pics from last night








Vroom, Vroom

Hydroplaning is what you don't want your tires doing on a rainy night. But it's pretty exciting in a specially designed craft on the open water. That's what Ashley and I plan to watch tomorrow at the Cambridge Classic Powerboat Regatta . Ashley is the Tweeter on Team Terry, so stay tuned Saturday for thrills and chills on the Choptank.

The Powerboat Regatta features flat-bottom boats as well as hydroplanes. Here's the difference:

A hydroplane literally flies on a split bow comprised of two sponsons. At a certain speed, it lifts right off the surface. A single fin helps turn the boat because when it is operating at that velocity, only a tiny bit of the propeller is in the water.

A flat-bottom is a runabout with a(you guessed it)flat bottom. They skim across the surface at breakneck speed too, but unlike the aerodynamic hydros, skiffs bounce wildly from side to side. Race rules now require roll bars to protect the daredevils on these buckaroos.

And speaking of wild rides, I can see soccer partisans already milling around the Camden Yards complex in anticipation of the match tonight. They're lurking near Babe, mostly dressed in blue. I'm guessing they're Chelsea fans in search of Pickles, one of the official hangouts for the Chelsea contingent. (Milan has nailed down Little Italy. They will probably run into a number of the aforementioned firemen who staked their claim to LI last night.)

The energy is palpable. Baltimore is going to have its own wild ride tonight. Be sure to tune in to ESPN at 8:00

Reading in the Rain, July 23, 2009

I’ll read anything. Compulsive habit. If my eyes are open, they need to read. I pick up a lot that way, whether I want to or not.

Today I learned some pretty interesting stuff while awaiting steamed shrimp in my favorite haunt. The first was in the latest issue of “Spokes,” a monthly tab devoted to all things cycling in the Mid-Atlantic region. It has great information on trails in Maryland, strength and conditioning for bicycle events, and a comprehensive calendar of events for bicycle adventure in the region. Be sure to check it out, whether you are a competitive, recreational or commuting cyclist. Lots of good information about trails, training, safety, and events.

This month’s cover story was about cycling demonstration in Washington called Naked Bike Ride. It wasn’t really as risque as it sounds (nothing like the hikers on summer solstice,) but fifty scantily attired advocates pedaled from 14th and K to the White House in their fourth annual “wear what you dare” ride to gain respect for bicycling commuters. Fascinating.

The other interesting thing I read was on the back of a firefighter. They’re having a convention here in town and a few drifted in our direction. Couldn’t help but admire (and read) his t-shirt, which celebrated an annual Rocktoberfest. The giant striper under the title suggested this might be a fishing tournament instead of a Bavarian heritage festival. I couldn’t read the fine print without violating personal space, so I politely inquired and learned that, indeed, the Rocktoberfest is held every fall in Ocean City. It’s one of the biggest tourneys of the year, with about 300 boats and sports fishermen of all ages. Contestants can fish in the bay, off the pier, or in the ocean. Prizes are awarded for the largest rockfish, but trout and skate have categories too. Rocktoberfest runs concurrently with hurricane season, so weather conditions offer an additional element of suspense. The fireman said the rocking and rolling was a gas last year.

See what you can learn while waiting for shrimp?

Jul 20, 2009

Our Field of Fescue

Jeff Provenzano, MSA’s Director of Football Operations, sent this pic this morning after the last strip of sod was prodded into place at M&T. I had to go see this amazing transformation for myself. While I’ve been to events where potted palms, flowering shrubs and even dance floors were rentals, I’ve never seen a tempo job like this before. Row after row of tightly woven Bermuda grass with an inch and a half of thatched soil and roots, covering the entire football field. Right now, it looks a bit dry in some places, and feels soggy in others (couldn’t resist taking off my shoes for the full effect.) Jeff says that after a few days in place, the seams will be barely discernable. By Wednesday it will be ready for lining; on Thursday, the teams practice for the Friday match

This preparation isn’t nearly as messy as bulldozing a couple tons of dirt for the Dew Tour BMX course, but it’s still a monumental task. The sod hails from a farm outside of Richmond, so it’s had a bit of a commute. What is neat, though, is that after the game Friday, the turf will be rolled up again and trucked back to the farm where it will be unfurled in the field, awaiting its next gig.

How cool is that? Just one more example of our commitment to sustainability and responsible recycling.

Jul 18, 2009

Autocross Appeal

It’s the Google effect -- every time I learn something about one sport or facility here in Maryland, it leads to something I knew nothing about. Thus, my visit to Regency Stadium opened my eyes to yet another popular Maryland pastime.

This revelation came after I stopped in to see Phil Hutson, project manager at Regency, to tell him how impressed I was with the finished product. We chatted for a moment about the versatility of the stadium and the multitude of uses it provides the community.

“They race down there, too,” he mentioned casually.

With what, bumper boats? I revved up my favorite search engine for answers. That’s when I learned about the popularity of autocross in Maryland.

So what’s autocross? Simply stated (Wiki version,) it is a precision driving race against the clock. It tests the driver’s skill and reflexes as he/she maneuvers the vehicle on cone marked, asphalt slalom course.

Substitute pot holes, rail tracks, disoriented pedestrians and stalled vehicles, and autocross sounds a lot like my evening commute up Howard Street. There must be more to it. Turns out, there is.

Autocross meets, (sometimes called rallies) are organized by clubs. In Maryland, there are quite a few autocross clubs, and each has a home course. Regency is the tarmac of choice for the Autocrossers. However, it isn’t the only minor league stadium with a motor sports constituency. The Bowie Baysox share their asphalt with Capital Driving Club and for at least two seasons, Ripken did too. Even FedEx stadium hosts regional autocross meets.

Autocross meets don’t seem to be spectator oriented, although the competitors usually bring friends along to watch. It is an activity with a strong element of camaraderie bound with appreciation for driver skill and vehicle performance. Also a lot of socializing and general bonhomie.

One of the oldest auto clubs in the region is National Road Autosports. They sponsor an annual series of events at the Cumberland Airport. I planned a mountain journey for the Summer Sizzler next week when I made an embarrassing discovery.

It seems Cumberland Airport is actually in West Virginia. Oops. When the region broke from the Commonwealth of Virginia during the Civil War, Maryland could have annexed Mineral County in the confusion . Unfortunately, they didn’t, and the little bend in the river called Wiley Ford has both a nice airport and a West Virginia address. Fortunately, the club also has an August event on our side of the Potomac called the Polish Mountain Hill Climb. That rally takes place on a public road which SHA (bless them) closes for the race. It’s just outside of Flintstone, so maybe I can make a Rocky Gap weekend out of it. Stay tuned.

Jul 17, 2009

Two Crystal Palaces (and one stunning stadium) in Waldorf, July 13

I hadn’t been to Regency Furniture Stadium, home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, since it was under construction two years ago. The match between Crystal Palace FC (England) and Crystal Palace Baltimore (their American affiliate) was an opportunity to experience a professional soccer match, and see how the stadium has meshed into the fiber of Southern Maryland since its completion.

We arrived at the stadium more than an hour before the match and were surprised at the number of cars already there, indicative of something I was to hear later from a County Commissioner. Not merely a ballfield, Regency Stadium is a community center, concert venue, and commuter hub. That night, a corporate client was having a regional meeting in one of the conference rooms. After only a year and a half of operation, Regency hosts several hundred events a year, some occurring simultaneously.

What I wanted to see most was the award-winning bumper boat pond, which flowed under the left field promenade like a moat. A young man in soccer attire asked quizzically what the strange looking pool was. Seems he was from England, on holiday in the former colonies while he followed his favorite team on their summer tour. (And I thought the Red Sox had groupies.) The water-squirting bumper boats, rock wall, and moon bounce, all part of our ballpark family fun, are a foreign concept in the real world of futbal. I suspect the country music blaring over the loudspeaker might be, too. Nonetheless, he was pleased to be in the rural setting and was surprised to learn it wasn't part of Baltimore.

The opening was most impressive, with both national anthems. (Enjoyed a robust rendition of "God Save the Queen" with two embassy diplomats in the suite.) Once the match began, it took a while to catch on that the clock was counting up instead of down. Terry explained the logic, but I still don’t get it. It would be hopeless to describe the action on the field that night, except it was well received by the crowd. What I can describe is the absolute joy of the many youngsters in league soccer gear who frolicked on the field prior to the game and cheered with their families in the stands. Their energy was infectious. The regulars remarked on the transformation of a baseball diamond to a turf field sans pitcher’s mound. No lumps. Amazing.

We didn’t stay for the fireworks, but the evening provided enough color and excitement even without them. I’m reminded how long Charles County waited for their stadium – more than ten years – and how fraught with controversy it was while officials and citizens debated where it should go and who should pay for it.

Today, the Blue Crabs are a beloved , successful franchise. (You should see the kids fawning over Pinch the Crab. He works the crowd like Chuck E. Cheese.) The stadium will anchor a growth corridor where a new Southern Maryland College campus and high school athletic center will emerge in the next few years. Regency Furniture stadium, reminiscent of an old Charles County tobacco barn with its russet color and sloping roof, will make a comfortable transition from a rural setting to a vibrant suburb as it provides the citizens of Southern Maryland with a first rate multipurpose venue.

Finding Futsal

The only way I knew futsal is a sport and not kitchen gadget is that it appears ahead of golf in the “add a venue” section of this website. After entering 200+ golf courses into the data base, I became fully aware that whatever futsal might be, it happened in Maryland.

So imagine my surprise when I learned that July 9-12, the 24th U.S. Futsal National Championship was held at the Baltimore Convention Center for the second year in a row. About 8,000 participants and spectators attended the four days of action, with competitions among all age groups (boys and girls) and a men’s and women’s category. Although the medal rounds were dominated by East Coast teams, a total of 11 states were among the winners.

Since the 25th U. S. Futsal National Championship will return to Baltimore in 2010, I need to know more about it. One thing I did learn – there are a number of teams in Maryland and they seem to have a very active network.

I finally (thanks, Wiki) figured out that futsal is a specialized brand of indoor soccer, played on a hard court surface with a smaller ball and five players on a side. It’s faster and more improvisional than conventional soccer, but a part of their universe. And it seems to be growing exponentially in popularity. Some of the Maryland teams have relationships with the professional soccer teams in the area.

So add a thriving, energetic futsal community as one more reason Maryland is a soccer-centric state. Maybe we’ll see a few of them at M&T next Friday.

Sold Out Soccer

It’s official – the Chelsea FC-AC Milan soccer match taking place at M&T Bank Stadium July 24th has sold out, ten days before the event. This “friendly” is more than an exhibition . For the first time, the European soccer teams who cross the pond post season will be participating in a round robin tournament known as the World Football Challenge. Each team plays three times in the six matches, accumulating points to determine the winner of the inaugural Challenge. The event in Baltimore will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Baltimore, with its avid soccer community, is a natural to host a contest between two teams recognized as the best of the best. The fact that this came about is a tribute to the synergy created by the Office of Sports Marketing and the Baltimore Ravens, who took quick advantage of an opening in the schedule to land this premiere event (au revior, Montreal) on very short notice.

The showcase event gives us yet another opportunity to demonstrate why Maryland is such an excellent choice. We’ll be commenting as more preparations take place prior to Friday’s face off.

Jul 16, 2009

Strolling through Seneca

I was in junior high (that’s what they called it back then) when President Kennedy challenged his White House staff to show their “vigah” by hiking 50 miles in a day. The route of choice was the C&O Canal, a preservation cause embraced by Supreme Court Justice and conservationist William O. Douglas.

I don’t remember how many of those New Frontiersman actually hot-footed up the Canal in the spring of 1963, but I do remember a lot of Americans embraced physical fitness at the urging of their energetic Chief Executive. I was determined to hike the C&O canal myself with a group from my hometown, but was talked out of it by my parents who prevailed with a “wait until next year.”

Sadly, there was no next year for President Kennedy. The 50 mile hike does have an interesting legacy in Maryland, though. Every November, there is a 50 mile ultra-marathon, covering parts of the C&O Canal and Appalachian Trail. Hannah Byron’s husband participates almost every year in the JFK Memorial, considered one of the elite ultra-marathon challenges in the country.

However, I never made it to the C&O canal (frat parties at Shepherd don’t count) until last weekend. Instead of 50 miles (we have to make some concessions to age, after all) I settled for 10K. And in the absence of the New Frontier, I went with the Annapolis Amblers, an amiable group of Volksmarchers who were probably in junior high when I was.

This particular volksmarch, organized by the Freestate Happy Wanderers, took us to Seneca. The Wanders charted 5K, 10K and 15K courses. My fellow amblers opted for the 10K, so we set out from Seneca Park to Riley’s Lock. It was a beautiful day, so the trail and park (which included a boat launch on Seneca Creek) were alive with activity. Motorboats, kayaks, canoes and jetskies were on the creek leading to the Potomac. As we reached the lock, we encountered fishermen who cast from the rocks and the aqueduct. Evidently, the mouth of Seneca Creek is a good place to fish since there were boaters with lines as well. Angus Phillips occasionally writes about fishing on the Potomac in the Post, so I’ll have to check this out.

The beauty of volksmarching is the comradery (we assembled as a group and pretty much stayed together in little clusters) and the interest in the route. This particular one incorporated a lot of history (our Civil War buff was delighted to learn JEB Stuart ran his cavalry through Riley’s Lock, burned some barges and drained the canal in 1863) and natural beauty. The canal was full along this particular part of the trail, and we saw turtles floating in the marshes. The Potomac was visible on the other side of the towpath, and we could see fishermen stationed on the rocks not far from the bank. As a part of the National Park Service, the canal is preserved and protected (thanks, Justice Douglas) and, from what I observed after 5K, very well appreciated. Like the Torrey Brown, the towpath has a crushed stone surface that accommodates joggers, cyclists, equestrians, and strollers (we passed them all between the two locks.) Also like the Torrey Brown, it appeals to families and teams in training. We saw quite a few of them as well.

The second part of our hike took us into the woods. The Seneca Creek watershed we followed is part of a “greenbelt” made up of federal, state, county and WSSC properties. A large turnaround pond (the mules didn’t have a reverse) took us off the canal and into the woods. We passed an old processing plant where the stone for the Smithsonian castle was quarried more than 100 years ago. Some of the dark red stones are still in the woods. Before tackling the rugged part of the trail, we stopped at Poole’s General Store. It’s hard to believe that in Montgomery County, just outside Potomac, there’s a 1901 country store that sells hardware, groceries, bedding plants and animal food. It even has a hitching post for customers who ride horses to the market. (Yes, they do. I saw other evidence of their visits.)

From there, it was over the creek (the Seneca seems to be everywhere) and into the state forest. This provided the real adventure (and exercise) of the day. No nice, level, stone surface here. Instead a narrow footpath up and down steep slopes took us through an old growth forest. My cell still had bars, but otherwise, it was a scene straight out of “Last of the Mohicans”. Can’t believe there’s anything that remote in Montgomery County. Thanks to DNR and WSSC, the protected watershed is likely to stay that way.

When we finally returned (amazingly, the Amblers reunited as a group coming into the home stretch) everyone stopped to get “stamped” by the organizing committee. This is part of the culture of volksmarching. Time is not a factor. Getting marked at various pit stops is. Volksmarchers have something like passports, chronicling where they went and how far they hiked.

Another tradition is swapping stories after the hike. A deli in Cabin John was a particular favorite of this group. (After a cholesterol-free “Clara Barton” wrap, I understand why.) Everyone shared their experiences and thoughts, discussed upcoming adventures and compared bumps and bruises.

(There is always someone armed with band-aids, Tylenol and NeoSporum. Likewise, there is always someone who needs them. Remarkably, it wasn’t me this week.)

It was a wonderful experience all around. Volksmarching is an excellent way to incorporate a regular fitness regimen and a congenial support group into a healthy lifestyle. It’s also a means to discover the beauty and history of the C&O Canal, 10K at a time. Thanks for the inspiration, President Kennedy. Sorry it took so long to get there.

Jul 9, 2009

The (Volks) March is on

I can't tell you how gratifying it was to know something relating to sports that Terry had never heard of. I had to savor the moment because I know it isn't likely to happen again.

The sport (OK, recreational activity)I stumped him on is Volksmarching, and it's very popular in Maryland. In fact, there are numerous clubs around the state.

Volksmarching is a German practice that found its way to Maryland via the military families stationed there after the war. A volksmarch is literally a "people walk." It involves a scheduled time, place and route, usually wrapped around a theme involving another activity. It's non-competitive and not overly strenuous, usually about a 10K stroll.

Volksmarching is part fitness regimen, part communal experience, part entertainment, and part education. Those really into volksmarching go to sanctioned events regularly, picking up patches and pins to commemorate the completion of the course. Yes, some of them even wear those Tyrolean hats to display the pins. There is a genuine sense of community among volksmarchers because of the many experiences, many places they've shared at a leisurely pace

Volksmarching in Maryland can take you through the wine country or the many fairs and festivals held year round. The one I'm going on this weekend will be historic in nature -- a segment of the C&O canal. C&O canals walks have been scheduled so the entire route -- from Georgetown to Cumberland -- can be taken a stretch at a time over the course of a year.

So that's where I'll be this Saturday -- hoofing along the Potomac, hopefully with some of the Annapolis Amblers (if I can catch their carpool.) It will be a good opportunity to see the towpath, a national park that is a favorite of cyclists and runners in Maryland. Hope it's as shady as the Torrey.

Jul 8, 2009

Our Chain of Links

Maybe it comes from Tiger's clutch win at Congressional, but we're inspired to finish the daunting task of listing all Maryland's golf courses in our facilities directory this week. A lofty goal, but DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY GOLF COURSES THERE ARE IN THIS STATE?

I sure didn't, and I've lived here most of my life. Anyway, drawing from the information already compiled by DBED and a number of other sources, we're busy updating the data and organizing them by county. (I'm at 23 pages without crossing the Bay Bridge.) They range from community courses to university facilities, country clubs, military bases, resorts, municipal and public venues. Some have hosted major national events. Others provide hours of entertainment for Marylanders and our guests. All contribute to the Maryland sports and recreation scene and help drive our thriving visitor industry.

So give us a few days and check it out. If we've missed your favorite facility, don't be teed. You can enter the information yourself on our handy online form. Send it in and we'll post it.

Are you ready for some Futbol?

Hard to believe, but within a span of three weeks, Maryland will host four European soccer teams in three matches at three different stadiums.

On July 13, local Crystal Palace team will host their British parent, Crystal Palace FC, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, when the Blue Crabs are on the road. The Crabs are getting into the act, having a special promotion for all kids wearing their soccer uniforms to the July 9th game.




July 24th brings the Chelsea and Milan AC teams to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. This match, part of a summer round robin tournament known as the World Football Challenge, is nearly sold out now. It will be broadcast live on ESPN, and carried internationally.

August 9th will pit DC United against Real Madrid at FedEx field. The lower bowl is already sold out.

With a possible World Cup bid looming, Maryland will be showing the world just how enthusiastic it is about the sport the rest of the world calls "futbol." It's more than just our great facilities and convenient access. Maryland has a tremendous youth soccer network that helps drive ticket sales. This is the month we get to strut our stuff.

Jul 7, 2009

Check under the hood -- Motorsports and Maryland

The STP must be flowing at every grease pit in Maryland, celebrating the news that Baltimore may host an Indy-series race in 2011. In case you didn’t see the story, the Baltimore Sun revealed a proposal to turn the corridor between Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor into a Grand Prix course. While quietly in the works for many months now, the plans are going public with City Councilman Bill Cole sponsoring a resolution to support the event.

Maryland motor sports fans are stoked at the prospect. Maryland has a long history of supporting auto races, with tracks and drag strips around the state. Other events, like motocross and monster truck rallies, are popular arena attractions, and the Cumberland airport has been the site of an annual autocross series for years.

The possibility of an open wheel world class weekend racing event has them all revving their engines. According to the online poll on the Sun’s website, public opinion is currently running 80-20 in favor of the idea. (I guess the NIMBYs aren't home from work yet.)

We’ll be hearing more about this prospect in the coming weeks. In the meantime, it’s the talk of gasoline alley. (Note: as befits Mayor Dixon’s Green Clean agenda, these vehicles are powered by ethanol, a renewable resource from the same super veggie as Doritos.)

Check out the other motor sports venues in Maryland here.

Jul 6, 2009

Trailing and Tubing with Torrey

The idea was to meet in Monkton, rent tubes, hike north and float down Gunpowder Falls for the rest of the afternoon. That changed with the addition of Ashley’s mom and three dogs. Instead, we met in Parkton, closer to their Pennsylvania home, and hiked south with the menagerie. It was fortuitous because we saw more of the trail and those who regularly use it.

The trail head at Parkton is next to an old stone building, once the community bank and now a wellness center. A day spa is in what looks like a former mill building on the other side. Waiting for the others, I struck up a conversation with an equestrian as she unloaded her van. She’d been riding the trail for more than 20 years. It was one of her horse’s favorite places. (He didn't look like Mr. Ed, but I took her word for it.) As she trotted off, a family with two small children pedaled by in the opposite direction. A few minutes later, someone’s track team (matching uniforms) puffed through. Before we even started, I could see it was going to be a busy day on the trail.

We strolled at a leisurely pace for about three miles. While the beauty of the park and our occasional crossings of the creek were our focus on the trip down, the history markers, train artifacts, and small villages were more of interest on the way back. DNR provides this state facility with a sense of place. Stories with vintage photos relate how the railroad was the integral part of the mills and factories along its route. Some of the old signal switches and crossing gate posts remain as reminders of the trail's origin.

After our six mile hike we had a cast change. Mom and the canine corps went home and Ashley’s sister was lured for the tubing adventure (having been promised she wouldn’t get wet, a blatant fib.)

We drove to Monkton where a charming village has sprung around the old train station and historic hotel. The train station is now the trail visitor center and rest station. The one time hotel, which once catered to Baltimore elite escaping the city heat, was our destination. That’s where an enterprising entrepreneur rents tubes, kayaks, bike and kid carriers for the trail and creek.

We took our three tubes (“See, they have a bottom in them so you don’t get wet”) and toted them north on the trail. (OK, I rolled mine. After the hike I was running out of gas.) After about ten minutes of hoofing, we found the access to the creek and waded in. (It was then Emily discovered the holes in tube floor and knew she’d been had.)

Despite all the rain, the creek was fairly shallow. In fact, the member of our party with the most ample posterior dragged bottom a few times. (Thank God for slippery rocks.) The depth didn’t discourage the kayakers and canoe that glided by us, though. They had come from much farther up the river and would going much farther down. The shallow section around Monkton was only a hiccup, according to one who paddled past me.

Truthfully, our float was far more leisure than exercise. It took about an hour and a half, as we lingered in mill pond conditions several places. We also had lots of company. Tubing on the Gunpowder is a family-oriented outdoors activity because it is so accessible and devoid of real drama. (If you want a theme park analogy, this is more Lazy River than Roman Rapids.)

The creek was never more than a few feet deep. The only one in the party to get anything other than a damp bottom was the dummy who tried to change position on the tube and got t-boned by the flotilla of sisters. (Yes, the Gunpowder is spring fed and VERY brisk when you get dunked.)

After a good hike (or even without it) the tube float is a refreshing way to cap a trip on the Torrey. Yes, you get muddy scrambling up the hill afterwards, but the tube tycoon is happy to hose you down. The snack stand in the same building has wonderful homemade ice cream and plenty of room outside to enjoy it.

The Torrey Brown Trail is a Maryland treasure. You can learn more about the Monkton tube/bike rentals here.

Impressions –– the friendliness of the people encountered. Lots of sniffing among canines. Safe surface for kids to learn (saw more than a few training wheels) and seniors on coasters. Smiles and greetings from people coming towards you; courteous bells and “on your left” alerts from those passing behind.

Attire – Amazing how many trail users were wore team uniforms or shirts touting an athletic event or environmental cause. (Ashley wore her politically correct Clean Green shirt.) We passed a few World Wildlife Federation advocates. I’m sorry I left my Tour Dem Parks, Hon souvenir at home.

Coolness –– the trail is almost entirely in the shade. The trees that grew along the tracks after it was abandoned have been allowed to spread their canopy over the trail. Makes the air clearer and cooler.

Family friendly -- Didn’t notice until the trip back, but the trail is almost level. There is only a very slight grade going north. Although it lacks challenge for hard core runners and cyclists, it makes a pleasant perambulation for multi-generational outings.

Talking Trash -- The irony is the trash. Rather the lack thereof. The Torrey Brown Trail is amazingly free of litter –– even doo-doo. It is DNR policy that Maryland State parks not have trash cans, because they overflow, scatter refuse, and attract animals. This message is posted, along with the reminder for visitors to take their trash (including poop) with them. Amazingly, they do.

Ironic because trash was one of the biggest obstacles to building the trail in the first place. In the 10+ years after the railroad was abandoned, the corridor served as a linear landfill for everything from tires to washing machines and all the rubble in between. Worse, the no-man’s land was used for target practice, all night parties and other nuisance activities. Even so, the prospect of a public trail on the property was considered even worse. It was when DNR volunteers came in and removed tons of trash from the rail bed that residents realized a well managed state amenity like a ribbon park could be an asset rather than a liability to their quality of life.

All that NIMBY nonsense is in the past. Today, the neighbors and small villages dotting the trail celebrate its existence with gardens, mini parks, historic markers, community bulletin boards and even a backyard snack stand. On July 4th, there was a patriotic parade of decorated bicycles from Sparks to Monkton. The trail has created a community of its own and every Marylander should visit.