Rally in the Fast Lane

Arlene and I had a lot of company has we headed west on I-70 Friday night. The commuter congestion is always intense, but on this particular trek north we jockeyed for lanes with swarms of Harleys, punctuated by iridescent classic sports cars on trailers. Throw in some construction, a few emergency lane closures and Peterbilts the size of freight trains, the exburban migration was a road rally competition worthy of sanction. (No more complaints from me about Howard Street.)

We shed the commuters at various Frederick exits, but the roadsters and easy riders continued the pace. It was going to be quite a night in Mountain Maryland. West Virginia may be wild and wonderful, but the action was going to be on our side of the Potomac this weekend.

There are a lot of reasons to love Western Maryland. The rugged beauty of the mountains and rivers make it one of the most appealing parts of the state. History and heritage abound here, as Cumberland, a transportation hub, played a significant role in the nation's development. River commerce, the C&O canal and several railroads provided a transportation grid from pre-colonial days through the rise of the industrial revolution. Spanning every era is the National Road. First an Indian trail across the mountains, then a trade corridor and Revolutionary army route, the National Road is recognized as the first highway of the modern transportation era. It was a combination of this history, the heritage of regional sports car racing, and Western Maryland's daredevil appeal that brought us to this race.

Hilltop races in Flintsone predate the yabba dabba doo jokes by more than a decade, but the recent incarnation is actually just three years old. They are the brainchild of Mountain Maryland’s (tourism office) marketing efforts in tandum with the National Road Autocross club. The Autocross series takes place at the Cumberland Airport. Realizing that Western Maryland has an economic future in its bounty of natural resources and challenging geography, Mountainside Maryland has focused on attracting motor sports fans, action athletes, fitness buffs and weekend warriors to experience the hills and the great outdoors.

Arlene and I stayed at Canal Place in Cumberland, close to where the C&O meets the Allegheny Highlands trail. We wanted to hike the Canal in the morning but our choice in accommodations offered another bonus – it overlooked the amphitheater where a production of “Hair” was being performed. (Yes, we danced and sang along like true 60's veterans.) Hard for this aging Baby Boomer to imagine “Hair” being staged in Western Maryland, but I never thought I’d see the Dye Works plant restored either, and that process is now underway. Cumberland’s Canal Place is a gateway to outdoor adventure and cultural heritage. Staying there was one of the best parts of the trip.

Because a bicycle and outdoor equipment rental shop is on site, we weren’t surprised to see a number of cyclists, hikers and joggers on the trail Saturday morning. Had we stayed later, I’m sure we would have seen canoes on the Potomac, as those excursions are also available. We were amazed there was so much activity that early in the morning, and that so many of the trail travelers were our age or older. The parking lot was full, with tags from Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as Maryland.

Our trip to Polish Mountain took us off the interstate and back into the rural community where the original National Road crossed. In order to close the roads for the climb, it was necessary for the autocross club to get legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly. Even in its third year, the race shows tremendous promise as an iconic event. Participation has grown each year, the meet is sanctioned by the regional hill-climbing body, and there are plans to incorporate it into a larger event with the airport. That will require cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (not the easiest sell) but the organizers have been laying the groundwork and have a promising business plan to persude the feds.

(After seeing how the notion of Grand Prix style racing on the streets of Baltimore has been embraced, I’m convinced anything is possible.)

Arlene and I spent a few hours in the paddock, visiting with drivers and chatting with Dave Williams, the tourism marketing guru who drives a hot Porsche. We saw two of the cars who were part of the caravan up Route 70 with the battalion of bikers. We also saw a vehicle that looked like the telecommunication devices on the space station. Several resembled insects, including a vintage bug that reminded me of Herbie.

The cars and their drivers are an eclectic fraternity. A co-ed fraternity at that. One of the most interesting competitors was Dr. Kay Skitarelic Swanson, a pathologist from West Virginia who grew up in Flintstone at what is now Rocky Gap. Dr. Swanson’s father, Dr. Benedict Skitarelic, was one of the founders of the Cumberland races.

Be sure to visit National Road’s website for more pictures of the Polish Mountain Climb. It is an event worth watching, as it is one more reason people gravitate to Western Maryland for excitement, entertainment, and exploration.

As for the Wild Ones, they were with us on the way back, too. Seems Little Orleans is the site of Sturgis East, a weekend motorcycle rally on Apple Mountain. 7,000 bikers were expected to camp on Apple Mountain and ride the scenic hills of Western Maryland. Like the hillclimbers, their weekend visit provides a welcome bump to the local economy. Almost as lucrative as the opening of deer season, one native observed.

This should be an adrenaline charged week. Tomorrow Baltimore City Council considers a resolution to support the IndyRace, the Birds are back in town and the Ravens swoop in to open preseason against the Redskins.

Needa Natatorium

After all, this is the state that produced the most successful aquatic Olympian of all time. It seems every community pool, country club and rec center has a swim team. Even the Severn River has one. There are also water polo teams and master swimmer leagues.

We know these competitors don’t lay off their laps after Labor Day, but for some reason, we are having trouble rounding up information about natatoriums – the enclosed facilities open year round with spectator seating that could host regional competitions.

Yes, some colleges and universities have them. There are even county facilities with regulation pools listed in our data base. But some stealth natatoriums we don’t know about could be lurking in the Maryland countryside. That quest prompted a side trip to Hampstead on the way back from Ravens training camp.

A few weeks ago, I read about a large swimming tournament held there. About 1,100 swimmers from throughout central Maryland qualified for the Strahele Invitational Tournament held at Four Seasons Swim Club. Something involving that many competitors must require an enclosed facility, thought I. And the name suggested year round use.

What I found was a gorgeous outdoor pool with a double life. As soon as the leaves start to turn, out comes the giant bubble. Swimmers never miss a stroke. It even has room for spectator bleachers. Not exactly a natatorium, but certainly a year round facility and a highlight of the swimming circuit.

Can’t help but wonder if there are other bubbles in Maryland we don’t know about.

Since the Junquemobile couldn’t possibly make it to all tournament facilities, we’ve done additional sleuthing via Google. We were able to add basic information about ones that host league tournaments year round, including high schools and colleges, public and private.

But we really need help on this one. Swimming is huge in Maryland and we need to know more about the facilities available for major tournaments. We also need to know what kind of events they’ve hosted in the past, and will in the future.

Please drop us a line and let us know where you swim in the winter. (Sandy Point in January doesn't count, Polar Bears)

Racing to the Mountains!

It's off to Cumberland to enjoy a little quality time on the C&O Canal and Allegheny Highlands trails before checking in with the Polish Mountain Climb folks.

I'm not sure what to expect with the Hill Climb, but Kim Shirer in the tourism office assures me this is a great weekend to be in Western Maryland. Looking forward to the Friday after Five Festival in the Historic District when I get there.

Here's a video I found of a previous Hill Climb It looks like a gas, but I wouldn't try any of those mountain curves in the Junquemobile.

Here's something else revving our engines: it looks like the Indy Racing League is close to sanctioning an annual race on a 2.4-mile street course around the Inner Harbor and stadiums. With this encouragement, and the matter before Baltimore City Council on Monday, it's possible these open wheeled racers could be coming to Camden Yards (we'd be a major staging area) in 2011.

Even if daredevil drivers and careening cockpits aren't your thing, look at it this way: the street course will be repaved to the smoothness of glass (which will help the evening commute) and the visitors it will bring over a four day period (plus the weeks of staging) will have a tremendous positive impact on the regional economy. Plus, the media coverage will showcase Baltimore and its assets at their most beautiful.

I'm stoked. Hope you are, too. Now, off to the mountains!

Ravens in the Rain

It was pouring when I left Taneytown Sunday morning. Perfect, I thought. I wanted to swing by the Ravens camp in Westminster. The streets were so congested on Saturday I could barely get through, much less stop. And that was BEFORE the news of Derrick Mason’s return broke. All I could see above the fray were a lot of welcome banners and signs in store windows around town. It was only slightly less chaotic than opening day of the legislature in Annapolis.

With the Sunday morning deluge, I figured no one would venture out and might get close enough to see the blue of Joe Flacco’s eyes.

Wrong. Really, really wrong. There was a break in the rain, but none in the steady stream of fans trudging up the hill to the football field. They had umbrellas, ponchos, tarps, coolers, and folding chairs. Some had little kids in tow. Many were senior citizens. They all knew it was going to rain, and they didn’t care. They were coming to see their Ravens.

The hill was pretty full and practice was underway when I arrived. I asked a few soggy spectators where they were from. Most were local – Carroll or Frederick County – but there were two from nearby Pennsyvlania. Almost all were decked out in Ravens gear. My Markakis shirt was conspicuously out of season.

The folks in Westminster feel special, because they connect with the Ravens before anyone else. They see them on the streets and in restaurants and they feel the energy the team brings (along with the $$$$, also greatly appreciated.)

Summer camp is a cherished annual ritual here. An older couple told me they’d been coming for years. The lady said she knew Joe Flacco was going to be a star long before anyone in Baltimore caught on. The guy behind me said he knew – just knew – Derrick Mason was coming back because he knew how much the team meant to him.

It was as if they were talking about their neighbors. When I thought about it, I realized they were.

I didn’t stay too long. The thunder was ominous, and I had a long way to go. But as I walked down the hill, others were making their way up to cheer their home team favorites.

I know there are suburbanites who will always be Redskin fans. There are some who never stopped loving the Colts, even after their ignominious departure. I’m told when you go as far west as Cumberland, you’ll encounter an occasional misguided soul who found solace with the Steelers after their hearts were broken in 1984.

But it was clear to me, during that steady rain, that the Ravens are Maryland’s team. I can’t wait to have them back here in Camden Yards, but now I understand the special bond they have with Carroll County.

Bucking Brahmas

I was intrigued to learn Baltimore was part of the Professional Bullriding circuit. Not quite curious enough to spend a Saturday night at 1st Mariner, but certainly enough to tune in Versus and watch some of the broadcast live. I kept covering my eyes because it was scarier than some of the Dew Tour dramas. Definitely not for the faint of heart. But, like Dew and other action sports, bullriding has an enthusiastic and rapidly growing fan base.

One thing I learned is that, while the macho riders certainly had their loyal followings (including the "buckle bunnies" who follow their favorites on the circuit) so do their bovine competitors. Two of my favorites were Booger Butt (pictured above) and Blueberry Buckle. Blueberry was a particularly tough customer. After tossing one rider in two seconds, he ran after him with his horns. Other than Ray Lewis, there's no one I'd rather not be chased by.

Even more of a surprise was learning some of these beefers hail from Maryland. I filed that in the back of my mind as a future field trip --find the breeder of the bucking Brahmas. Today, I did.

The quest took me to Johnsville, a small community near Union Bridge. The J Bar W Ranch was visible from the road, as was the 3,000 seat arena where bullriding and barrel racing rodeos take place every other Saturday night during summer months. When I arrived, the concessionaires were preparing for the event tonight. I was lucky enough to snag a few moments with Debbie Williams, whose son Sonny is one of the owners of the ranch.

Sonny was himself a bullrider, competing on the top circuit for several years. When he gave up riding professionally, he began a breeding operation at the family's dairy farm. The bulls are "Bred to Buck" and many have made it to the upper echelons of the sport. (One alumni, Shock and Awe, competed in Las Vegas, the Super Bowl of the bucking business.)

Their herd numbers several hundred now. I saw a few wandering around, but remembering Blueberry Buckle, I didn't get too close. Instead, I learned more about the activities and attractions they offer. In addition to raising the bulls, the family also produces rodeos that are not only popular spectator events, but fund raisers for local charities. They also offer birthday and theme parties for. (Why didn't I know about this when my two terrors were young?)

In addition to the summer rodeos at the J Bar, they do a Battle of the Beast series every Saturday night during winter months at the Agriculture Center in Westminster. There will be a special Battle of the Beast bullriding competition during the Maryland State Fair in Timonium on August 31st. Similar exhibitions are slated for the Frederick and Montgomery County Fairs this year.

Debbie Williams was particularly proud of the money they've raised for the local hospice foundation. They've also hosted a number of wounded war veterans in the 13 years they've been putting on the rodeos.

So for family fun and entertainment, a trip to the bullriding ring may be just the ticket. And who ever thought you'd find that here in Maryland?

Weather or not

I thought this was going to be a tough one. I was supposed to go kayaking with Donna Dudley in Indian Head yesterday, but the storms scrubbed that one. Heading to Thomas Point for the start of the Governor's Cup, I saw what looked suspiciously like funnel clouds over Arnold. Nix that.

So now I have to scramble like Flacco for some new plans. Bingo! Perfect metaphor. I'm off to Carroll County in search of adventure. No, I don't think the Ravens have camp today, but there are other intriguing possibilities in the Maryland piedmont. I understand there are other beefy athletes in training up there, and I might be able to catch their practices before tonight's scrimmage. Yeehah.

A Traveler’s Tribute

About 3:00 PM yesterday the munchies hit. The kind that requires an Oreo fix. That means a trip to the Warehouse basement machine, which is a nice afternoon break anyway. In the basement, the Warehouse really looks like a warehouse. It still has the coal shafts that fed the furnaces back in the day. Great old building.

On the way to the basement, the elevator was intercepted at the ground floor. A security guard held it and told me I’d have to wait a few moments. From the look of the swarming Sox fans, whoever they were holding hostage was going to be there signing autographs a while. Swell, I thought. I should have stopped by MASN to see if Marlene would slip me something from her stash instead of braving the Beantown invasion.

After a few minutes, a tall lanky guy with more than a few gray hairs made his way to the elevator. When he saw me inside with that look of Oreo desperation, he apologized for making me wait, completely disarming me with a smile.

I remarked that it seemed like more predatory Sox fans than usual (I don’t think I said it quite like that, but you get the drift.)

“They love coming here,” he replied with genuine appreciation. “It’s hard to get tickets in Boston because the stadium is so small. So when we play here, families can come for a game and have a good time in a great city.”

The elevator opened, and he headed for the clubhouse as I stopped at the machine. “Thanks for waiting,” he said. As he walked away, he turned around and said “This is a great baseball town.”

I was still munching on the Oreos in the office when I found who the gracious, goateed guy in the elevator was. Didn’t need to Google. His picture was on the front of the Sox website because he was slated to start that night.

I see the O’s weren’t overly hospitable to John Smoltz, tagging him for five runs including two homers. But he took the win last night, so I’m guessing he still thinks Baltimore is a great town.