Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic News

A Winter Walk on Maryland's Eastern Shore - Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

Kathleen — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:10:31 GMT

Winter walks have their own unique beauty and we're going to experience that beauty at a new locale for us - Terrapin Nature Park just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on Kent Island on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

We'll explore woodlands, wetlands, meadows, tidal ponds and a sandy beach on our ~4-mile walk on oyster chaff trails. We'll also enjoy the added bonus of spectacular views of the Chesapeake Bay for part of the walk. Hopefully we'll see some geese, ducks and other waterfowl along the way. Terrapin Nature Park adjoins the popular Cross Island Trail, which we may also explore.

The weather may or may not be frightful, but it could definitely be chilly and windy, so be sure and bundle up. Doggies are welcome to come on this walk but must be on leash at all times.

After the hike, we'll have a brown bag lunch at the park and then head for sweets at either Peace of Cake Bakery or Tasty Toucan, an ice cream shop. (They're only a few steps from each other, so it's always possible we'll have to check out both.)

This free activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

Click on this link to register for a Winter Walk on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Registration closes on Thursday, December 4.

Bring:

Water
Trail snacks
Brown bag lunch
Cash/credit card if joining us for dessert afterwards
Dress for the weather
Binoculars

Please respect the trip leaders and other members and arrive on time - 10:00 a.m.

A Walk Back in Time - Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

Kathleen — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:30:33 GMT

Exploring Two Nature Preserves in Calvert County

We're heading to Calvert County in southern Maryland to explore two ancient natural sites: Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary and Flag Ponds Nature Park.

We'll meet at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp and step back 100,000 years in time to when cypress swamps were common in this region. We'll start with a quick tour of the nature center to learn a bit of the natural and cultural heritage of the area. From there we'll do a short walk along an elevated boardwalk that will allow us to appreciate the primeval beauty of this rare habitat.

Next we’ll drive about 15 minutes to Flag Ponds Nature Park and check out its nature center before setting out on a 3-mile round trip walk through the woods to a beach along the Chesapeake Bay. Miocene fossils such as shark teeth, stingray plates, and whale and porpoise vertebrae are sometimes found along the shoreline at Flag Ponds.

After our hike we'll have a brown bag lunch at Flag Ponds. Bring a camp chair or picnic blanket in case there aren't any picnic tables nearby.

Sorry, no doggies on this hike; they're not allowed at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp.

This activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

Click on this link for more information and to register.

Registration will close on Thursday, November 13.

Autumn Leaf Hike in Virginia on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Kathleen — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 22:00:03 GMT

We're going leaf peeping in the eastern mountains of Virginia on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, we're just not exactly sure where yet. We'll either go to Shenandoah National Park or Sky Meadows State Park.

Click here for more information and to register.

Our first choice was Shenandoah, but as we feared, the US Government has shut down, throwing a curveball into our plans. Therefore, the exact location of this hike will be updated on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, (We will update the online registration page and will send an email to those have registered).

If Shenandoah is re-opened, then we will hike a six-mile loop with 800 feet of elevation change that begins and ends at Elkwallow Wayside Picnic area.

If Shenandoah is still closed as of noon, Oct 18th, then we will change our plans to hike a 4-mile loop with 570 feet of elevation change at Sky Meadows State Park, which is just a few miles north of the Shenandoah Front Royal entrance.

We have deliberately chosen two options geographically near each other for the convenience of our members who live nearby or are willing to travel to the eastern Virginia mountains.

Both parks have bathrooms, plenty of parking, and picnic areas, so bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after our hike. Both loops were chosen for their views of the autumn leaves.

We understand if one hike appeals more than the other, that you may cancel once the final location has been announced. We'll send an email to all those registered on Oct. 18th with updated information.

Registration closes on Monday, October 20.

Note: We are aware that park trails may indicate they are open during the shutdown, but the bathrooms will either be closed or not cleaned, and there will not be garbage pickup. In the past, this has made the parks very unpleasant to visit during shutdowns, so we will avoid Shenandoah if the government is still closed. In fact, Skyline Drive is gated shut as of Oct. 1.

Becky Foreman Honored with 2025 Jan Brown Memorial Scholarship Award

Kathleen — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 23:21:47 GMT

Women Outdoors members chose Becky Foreman, one of the co-regional contacts for the Mid-Atlantic Region, to receive the 2025 Jan Brown Memorial Scholarship Award in recognition of Becky’s outstanding service to Women Outdoors in several capacities.

In the past three years, Becky has led two international trips for Women Outdoors. In 2022, Becky organized a 10-day service trip to Peru followed by a trek to Machu Picchu.

Becky tripled the adventure quotient in July 2025 by coordinating an amazing trip to Machu Picchu, the Galapagos, and the Ecuador jungle aboard a riverboat on the Amazon. Her skills, knowledge and encouragement enabled several WO members to enjoy the trip of a lifetime.

[Becky (on right) receives the Jan Brown Award from Kathleen.]

Becky always volunteers to help out at the Gathering wherever she’s needed. At Camp Scully in 2023 and 2024, Becky took on full kitchen responsibilities of menu planning, meal prep and service, and overall kitchen supervision.

Becky also serves as Co-RC of the Mid-Atlantic Region where without exception she makes everyone feel welcomed and supported. She is a great asset not only to the Mid-Atlantic Region but also to the entire Women Outdoors community.

Presented at the 2025 National Gathering, the scholarship award memorializes one of the Founding Mothers of Women Outdoors, our beloved Jan Brown.

Jan was an historian and office manager whose contributions to Women Outdoors were vast: Jan tracked our organization's history and publications as well as kept a comprehensive annotated bibliography of books written by and about women's voyages and adventures.

As a world traveler who visited far-flung lands, Jan regaled us all with her marvelous photos and stories. In 2019, our 40th year, Women Outdoors established the Jan Brown Memorial Scholarship Award to pay tribute to Jan's countless contributions and her inspiring life.

NOTE: The complete bibliography (169 pp) and the condensed version (40 pp) as well as an index (4 pp) to both bibliographies are available as PDFs to members of Women Outdoors. Login to your account and navigate to Resources and then click on Members Only from the drop-down menu.

Planning and potluck and brunch, oh my!

Kathleen — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:58:13 GMT

Our fall planning meeting and potluck brunch will be on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Read on for more details.

Ever wonder how we come up with all of our activities for fun and adventure here in the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors?

Well, it all starts with the time-honored tradition of the potluck brunch. Then we knock around ideas for outdoor escapades and such. Next we need a couple of members to volunteer to lead that venture and voila! We have an event to put on the calendar.

(There's also the prosaic part that involves actually setting up the online registration on the website and sending out an email to all WO Mid-Atlantic members and other interested women about the upcoming event, but that's what your friendly regional contacts are for.)

We are a completely volunteer organization and depend on our members for their energy and ideas. Is there an activity you'd like to see on the calendar that we haven't done in the past? A unique place you'd like us to explore? A hidden treasure in your neck of the woods? Something off the beaten path or outside the box? Come to the brunch and share your ideas with us!

We'll provide coffee and tea and ask you to bring a potluck dish to share.

This free activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. (This brunch is a freebie and doesn't count as one of those events.) You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

IMPORTANT: The automatic confirmation email will contain the exact meeting location for the brunch (scroll all the way to the bottom of the email).

Click on this link to register for the potluck brunch and planning meeting.

Registration closes on Saturday, September 13.

Bike to Lunch on the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail - Take 2

Kathleen — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:51:18 GMT

We originally had this bike ride scheduled for July 30, but a heat index of 100-105 dissuaded us from doing it then. We've rescheduled it for Wednesday, September 24, 2025, when the weather should be much more accommodating.

We liked the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail so much when we did it in March that we're taking a second bite of the apple, only this time we'll head north on the rail trail instead of south and we'll stop for lunch at the halfway point before heading back.

The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, sometimes referred to as the North Central Railroad (NCR) Trail, is quite popular so we're going to do the ride on a weekday - Wednesday, September 24.

For this pleasant 21-mile ride, we'll meet in White Hall, MD, and bike 10.5 miles north to New Freedom, PA, and then stop for lunch at Paesano's. Paesano’s, which means friends from the same town and country, specializes in pizza, stromboli, subs, salads and delicious desserts. After lunch we'll bike the 10.5 miles back to White Hall, albeit more slowly, possibly much more slowly.

As this is a rail trail, there is only a very slight grade and the trail surface is crushed stone. Gravel, hybrid, e-bikes or mountain bikes are recommended, although road bikes should suffice. Bring a helmet (required), bike gloves (optional), a bike lock, plenty of water and some snacks.

Click on this link to register for the bike ride.

Registration will close on Monday, September 22.

Bike to Lunch on the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail

Kathleen — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:01:48 GMT

On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, we're biking to lunch on this pleasant 21-mile ride on the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, sometimes referred to as the North Central Railroad (NCR) Trail.

We'll meet in White Hall, MD, and bike 10.5 miles north to New Freedom, PA, and enjoy lunch at Paesano's. Paesano’s, which means friends from the same town and country, specializes in pizza, stromboli, subs, salads and delicious desserts. After lunch we'll bike the 10.5 miles back to White Hall, albeit more slowly.

As this is a rail trail, there is only a very slight grade and the trail surface is crushed stone. Gravel, hybrid, or mountain bikes are recommended, although road bikes should suffice. Bring a helmet (required), bike gloves (optional), plenty of water and some snacks.

The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail is quite popular so this time we're going to do the ride on a weekday - Wednesday, July 30.

Click on this link to register for Bike to Lunch on the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail.

Registration will close on Monday, July 28. Please note, we need a minimum of four women for the bike ride to be a go.

Bring:

Snacks and water for the bike ride or walk
Bicycle helmet (required)
Bike gloves (optional)
Lunch money

Mid-Atlantic Region's 16th Anniversary Celebration

Kathleen — Thu, 29 May 2025 17:30:17 GMT

Join your Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic friends as we celebrate our 16th anniversary of outdoor fun and friendship with a hike and potluck picnic at Gambrill State Park in Frederick County, MD on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Get out your hiking boots and join us at 10:00 a.m. for a moderate ~4 mile hike along the ridge of Catoctin Mountain and under the canopy of a mature hardwood forest. Enjoy views of South Mountain and the Monocacy River watershed as well as structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

After the hike, we'll gather at one of the shelters for a potluck picnic. We'll fire up the grill for burgers and hot dogs. BYOburger, hot dog, not dog, veggie burger or grillable item of your choice as well as a side dish or dessert to share.

Also bring your own mess kit, utensils and trash bag to carry out your trash and recyclables. Gambrill State Park is a trash-free park.

FYI - There are electrical outlets at the picnic shelter if you need to plug something in.

Not up for a hike? Join us around 12:00 p.m. for just the potluck picnic. When you register, just select the button saying you'll be there only for the picnic.

Sorry, no doggies at this event.

Click on this link for more information and to register.

Registration will close on Thursday, June 12th.

Bring:

Cash for entry fee: $3/vehicle for MD residents; $5/vehicle all other states
Snacks and water for the hike
Hat, sun block, insect repellent
Something to grill for yourself
Side dish or dessert to share with everyone
Water or other non-alcoholic beverage (we don't have an alcohol permit)
Mess kit or your own plate(s), bowl, napkin and utensils
Trash bag - Gambrill State Park is trash free. Everyone must take their trash and recycling home with them.
Optional: camp chair, hiking poles

Spring Wildflower Hike

Kathleen — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:48:43 GMT

We're heading out for a wildflower hike at Prince William Forest Park on Saturday, April 19, the first day of National Park Week and we're going to show some love for our National Park Service employees while we're at it.

Please think of ways we can show our appreciation to our hard working Prince William Forest Park Rangers and other park employees. Maybe some home baked goodies? Chocolate? Popcorn? A handwritten thank you note? A song or a poem? Flowers? Brainstorm away!

Our spring wildflower hikes are a beloved tradition with Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic and we are in great hopes of seeing many of these little beauties at Prince William Forest Park, one of Northern Virginia's best kept secrets.

Plan on a moderate hike of about six miles. We'll trek through the woods and along a stream in search of Virginia bluebells and other spring wildflowers. We'll find a spot along the way for a picnic lunch. Sorry, no doggies on this hike.

NOTE: Prince William Forest Park usually charges a $20/vehicle entry fee, but the fee will be waived on Saturday, April 19 in celebration of the first day of National Park Week.

Click on this link for more information and to register for the Spring Wildflower Hike on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Registration will close at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025.

Camping at Codorus State Park - 2025

Kathleen — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:56:36 GMT

Yay, camping!

We're heading to Codorus State Park in Hanover, PA on May 16-18, 2025, for a weekend of outdoor adventure including hiking and boating.

We camped at Codorus in 2023 and loved it so much we're heading back.

We have lots of options for outdoor fun! There are several hiking trails in the park as well as a designated mountain bike trail area and a disc golf course. In addition, Codorus State Park is home to Lake Marburg, a popular fishing and boating destination with 26 miles of shoreline.

You can bring your own boat or rent from AOS Marina on the lakeshore. In addition to kayaks and canoes, small fishing boats and large pontoon boats are available to rent. We rented a pontoon boat in 2023 and had a blast!

Doggies are welcome to come on this camping trip. You must reserve one of the designated pet friendly campsites in loops B or C for you and your doggie.

The camping cost is $24/night (non-electric), $31/night (electric), $26/night (pet site, non-electric), $33 (pet site, electric), $45-47 full hook-up plus a $6.50 reservation fee, plus $5 more per night for non-Pennsylvania residents.

This overnight event is for Women Outdoors members only. If you would like to come on the camping trip and are not yet a member, please click on this Join Us link to become a member of Women Outdoors. Once you've joined Women Outdoors you'll be able to register for the camping trip.

It's a three-step process to register for this camping trip:

1) Register with Women Outdoors first by clicking on this link. As soon as you complete your Women Outdoors registration, you will receive an automatic email with the exact location where the trip leaders and others will be camping.

2) Reserve your campsite at Codorus State Park through Reserve America or Pennsylvania State Parks. (See the campground map.)

3) Once you have a campsite reserved, please send an email to MidAtlantic@womenoutdoors.org and Becky@womenoutdoors.org to let us know which site you have.

Everyone must agree to the Women Outdoors Assumption of Risk statement during the registration process.

Monocacy National Battlefield Walk

Kathleen — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:50:39 GMT

We'll explore some little known Civil War history as we walk along a couple of the trails at Monocacy National Battlefield in Frederick, MD, on Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Known as the Battle that saved Washington D.C., the Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864, delayed Confederate forces sent to capture the Nation's Capital and ultimately forced them to withdraw to Virginia.

Monocacy National Battlefield encompasses over 1600 acres and offers plenty of opportunities for birding. Habitats include forest, open grasslands, and freshwater creeks and ponds. We'll walk about 3.5 miles through woods and fields and along a stretch of the Monocacy River. The terrain is mostly flat with some gentle elevation gain.

We'll have a picnic lunch after the walk and then if folks are interested, we can drive a few miles to downtown Frederick in search of hot chocolate or ice cream.

Doggies are welcome to join us on this walk. Park regulations stipulate that pets must be leashed at all times and owners must pack out their pet's waste (Monocacy National Battlefield is a trash-free park).

Click on this link to register. Registration will close on Thursday, December 5th.

Chimney Rocks Hike at Michaux State Forest

Kathleen — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:35:02 GMT

We're exploring new territory with our first ever Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic hike to Chimney Rocks at Michaux State Forest near Waynesboro, PA on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.

Located at the northern terminus of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, Michaux State Forest features an abundance of oak species including chestnut oak, scarlet oak, northern red oak, black oak and white oak. Other trees include red maple, black birch, black gum, hickory, pine and tuliptree (yellow poplar).

We'll hike northbound on the Appalachian Trail for a good portion of this "balloon" hike passing by the Tumbling Run AT shelter along the way.

This 5-mile hike is very strenuous on the way up. While the first mile (the balloon string) is flat, the balloon part of the trail then transitions to a steep climb with lots of roots and rocks and an elevation gain of 1000' over two miles. The reward will be the gorgeous view at Chimney Rocks where we'll have a brown bag lunch overlooking the valley.

Coming back down from the rocks after lunch, we'll take an easier route along an old fire road before rejoining the string of the balloon for the last mile.

Sorry, no doggies on this hike.

Registration will close on Thursday, November 7th.

Click on this link to register for the Chimney Rocks Hike.

Pickleball in the Park

Kathleen — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 19:03:08 GMT

Pickleball in the Park - Third time's the charm!

Pickleball in the Park got rained out on the original date and on the rain date do-over so we're trying again for Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Everyone will need to register again for Pickleball in the Park - Third time's the charm.

We're trying something a little different from our usual outdoor adventure repertoire, namely pickleball!

Are you a first-time player? Great! We'll offer a mini clinic to introduce you to pickleball. We'll also have extra paddles and balls to share if you need them. Check out this YouTube video for a quick intro to pickleball.

Already a pickleball player? Wonderful! We'll also have structured play with round robin games where players will team up with different partners for most games. After each game we'll rotate and change partners. If there are players waiting to play, we'll play two games and then rotate new players in and rotate off others to rest.

After we finish playing, we'll have a picnic lunch right there at the park.

Registration is limited to 20 participants and will close on Monday, October 7, 2024, or when full, whichever comes first. A wait list will open up once we reach 20 participants.

Click on this link to register for Pickleball in the Park.

Mid-Atlantic RC Honored with Jan Brown Scholarship Award

Kathleen — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 19:09:32 GMT

Women Outdoors members voted for Kathleen Long, one of the co-regional contacts for the Mid-Atlantic Region, to receive the 2024 Jan Brown Memorial Scholarship Award. Presented at the 2024 Annual National Gathering, the award memorializes one of the Founding Mothers of Women Outdoors, our beloved Jan Brown.

The following is the entry on The Gathering page of WomenOutdoors.org.

Kathleen Long Presented September 7, 2024

Awarded in honor of Kathleen's numerous contributions to Women Outdoors. In addition to serving on the board, Kathleen helped to develop our current website during its infancy, supporting the creation of the overall design and functionality, as well as organizing our files and creating our Women Outdoors Policy Handbook. To this day Kathleen continues to support our online presence, monitoring our Info@WomenOutdoors.org email.

In 2009, Kathleen started a new region, Mid-Atlantic, serving as Regional Contact. Working with her Co-RC Becky Foreman, they actively promote our organization, expanding the Mid-Atlantic Region by over 150% in the last 2 years alone.

Women Outdoors would not be where it is today without the invaluable contributions of Kathleen Long!

South America Adventure 2025!

Kathleen — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 19:33:55 GMT

Machu Picchu, Galapagos Islands, Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle

Bucket list trip alert! Have you ever wanted to go on the trip of a lifetime? Well, Women Outdoors is planning an breathtaking adventure for June-July 2025 to Macchu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuadorian Amazon. Our very own Becky, one of the regional contacts for the Mid-Atlantic Region, is planning this amazing adventure.

You can choose to go on one, two or all three adventures. The exact dates have not yet been set, but we'll travel between late June and mid-July 2025.

Here's the trip in a nutshell:

Machu Picchu - Late June 2025. Walking tour of Cusco. Sacred Valley tour by van to Ollantaytambo. Tour Ollantaytambo ruins. Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Pachamanca feast in home of Qechua farmer.

Galapagos Islands - Immediately after Machu Picchu. Optional tours to chocolate farm and coffee plantation. Van tour of Highland Tortoise Reserve and lunch on a farm on the way to the village of Puerta Ayora. Speed boat to Isabela Island/Puerto Villamil and then boat to Tintoreras Islet for snorkeling. "Tunnels" day boat trip and snorkeling in underwater lava formations. Service project on a coffee farm. Speed boat transfer to Santa Cruz Island for dinner hosted by fisherman and family.

Ecuador Amazon Cruise - After the Galapagos Islands, probably early July 2025. This adventure begins in Quito and after a short flight to Coca, we'll board a motorized canoe for a short journey down the river before reaching the Manatee Amazon Explorer for our welcome aboard. A local naturalist guide will give an introduction to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Some of our activities will be a nighttime forest walk, canoe trip on the Panayacu River delta, nature walks with local naturalist guides, kayaking and swimming in Piranha Lake (not as dangerous as it sounds!).

We're working with Adios Adventure Travel to plan this awe-inspiring adventure. Adios Adventure Travel helped facilitate the Women Outdoors trip to Machu Picchu in 2022 and we loved it so much we asked them to help us out again.

Right now, we're just looking to see how many Women Outdoors members would be interested in joining us on this incredible adventure.

Click here for a detailed description of each segment of the trip and to register your interest.

There is no commitment to attend at this point; we just want to see how much interest is out there. You do not need to be a member of Women Outdoors to let us know of your interest in this trip at this time.

If you want to come, check your passport's expiration date. It must be valid until at least January 2026.

Our South America Adventure 2025 is open to only members of Women Outdoors. You can join right now by clicking on Join Us.

Member-only benefit for Mid-Atlantic members

Kathleen — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 23:02:13 GMT

Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic listserv!

The Mid-Atlantic region of Women Outdoors has recently rolled out an exciting new benefit for our members: our very own Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic listserv or email group.

What is this listserv all about?

The listserv will be another way to connect with WO members outside of our "official" monthly Mid-Atlantic activities. It's a way for WO members to organize spontaneous outdoor adventures with other members; share tidbits about upcoming events that may be of interest such as an outdoor concert; recommend books or movies about the outdoors; you get the drift.

For example, let's say the weather forecast for tomorrow is absolutely beautiful and you want to go on a hike at Sugarloaf Mountain and you'd like some of your WO Mid-Atlantic buds to join you. You would post an email on the listserv letting the other Mid-Atlantic members know your plans. You could ask folks to let you know if they can come or you could just post the time and place to meet and be surprised in the moment.

Just to reiterate, any activities that are organized through the Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic listserv are not official Women Outdoors events. However, they are an opportunity for WO members to get together outside of our monthly "official" Mid-Atlantic Region activities.

How does it work?

We are using Groups.io for our email group. Participation is strictly voluntary. Mid-Atlantic members will need to opt-in to be a member of the email group. Once you join the Mid-Atlantic region, you will receive an invitation to join our listserv, WomenOutdoorsMid-Atlantic, from Groups.io. You will need to respond to that email within two weeks to register for the listserv.

How much does it cost?

It's FREE!

See you in the outdoors!

Dog Days of August Hike

Kathleen — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:16:03 GMT

It's almost time for one of our perennial favorites: our Dog Days of August Hike on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

We’ll do a 3-4 mile suburban hike in Silver Spring, MD, with lots of shade. It's an easy up and down trail, however there is some uneven ground and it could potentially be a bit muddy. We will most likely walk for about an hour out and an hour back.

This is a very popular location for people to walk their dogs. We've heard from reliable sources that folks in the neighborhood do not appreciate dogs off leash on the Northwest Branch Trail. So to be respectful of our neighbors, doggies will need to be on leash at all times during this hike.

After our walk in the woods we’ll have a backyard picnic nearby.

Registration is limited to 20 participants and will close on Thursday, August 15th or when full, whichever comes first. A wait list will open up once we reach 20 participants.

Click on this link for more information and to register.

Exploring Greenbelt Park

Kathleen — Tue, 14 May 2024 14:54:50 GMT

Did you know there is a forested oasis that's part of the National Park system just ten miles from DC? Many don't know about this hidden gem in our own backyard: Greenbelt Park. That's right - it's a national park! Complete with campground, several picnic areas, two nature trails, a fitness trail and nearly ten miles of hiking trails altogether.

Join us on Saturday, June 1, 2024, for a 4–5-mile hike of the park's Perimeter Trail. The entire trail is 5.3 miles, but we can shortcut that by about a mile if the group decides to do so. The trail is gently rolling and entirely in the trees, so plenty of shade to cool us as we hike. Bring a brown bag lunch to enjoy at one of the picnic areas along the way.

Our hike with a stop for lunch will take about 3 hours. You may want hiking poles for this one, though it's certainly doable without them. There will be a bathroom at our start and several more along the way, including at our lunch stop.

If you'd rather bike than hike, the park roads are a favorite for local bicyclists. Bring your bike and helmet, ride to your heart's content and then join us at the picnic area for lunch (you'll know when we're there when you ride by).

Doggies allowed on this hike but must be leashed. On Saturdays, there are quite a few walkers with their dogs on the trail - all leashed.

Click on this link to register. Registration closes on Thursday, May 30th.

If you need to cancel after May 30th, please send an email to MidAtlantic@womenoutdoors.org or Becky@womenoutdoors.org.

ONE MORE NOTE: Hike leader, Becky, will be camped in Loop B in the Greenbelt campground from May 30th to June 3rd. Anyone who would like to join her is welcome to reserve her own campsite. Send Becky an email if you'd like to know her exact site to get your own nearby. Campsites (no hookups) are only $20/night, $10/night with a National Park pass. Make a reservation here: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232474

FYI - The camping part is not an official Women Outdoors event.

Entry to Greenbelt Park for day use is free.

Potluck brunch and planning meeting - Sunday, April 21, 2024

Kathleen — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:34:09 GMT

Planning and potluck and brunch, oh my!

Ever wonder how we come up with all of our activities for fun and adventure here in the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors? Well, it all starts with the time-honored tradition of the potluck brunch. Then we knock around ideas for outdoor escapades and such. Next we need a couple of members to volunteer to lead that venture and voila! We have an event to put on the calendar.

(There's also the prosaic part that involves actually setting up the online registration on the website and sending out an email to all WO members and other interested women about the upcoming event, but that's what your regional contacts are for.)

If there's an activity or special event you would like to see, come to the brunch and volunteer to lead it. We're always looking for new places to explore as well as old favorites to revisit. We are a completely volunteer organization and depend on our members for their energy and ideas.

Bring your calendars, hiking and biking books, and any other idea generators and help us plan activities for the upcoming months. We'll provide coffee and tea and ask you to bring a potluck dish to share.

This free activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. (This brunch is a freebie and doesn't count as one of those events.) You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

Click on this link for more information and to register for our Planning Meeting and Potluck Brunch.

Registration closes on Saturday, April 20.

Bluebells Hike - A Perennial Favorite

Kathleen — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 20:07:03 GMT

Join us for one of our faves on Thursday, April 4, 2024, when we'll go walking through the bluebells.

Spring wildflowers grace hiking trails throughout the area after the vernal equinox, but one little bloom is especially captivating: the Virginia bluebell. These little blue beauties burst forth in exuberant abundance at Riverbend Park in Fairfax County, VA. We've done this hike many a time and it still remains one of our favorites.

We'll take the Potomac Heritage Trail along the Potomac River toward Great Falls. Most of the terrain is flat, but be sure and wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots because parts of the trail could be muddy.

Depending on how many folks sign up for this event, we may split into two groups: hikers and naturalists. The hikers will trek all the way down to Great Falls Park and back at a fairly good clip for a total distance of ~5-6 miles. Meanwhile, the naturalists can enjoy a leisurely walk in the woods with the birds and bluebells at a pace and distance to be decided by the group.

We realize some of you cannot come on a weekday but we are trying to experiment with a few mid-week events.

Bring your camera and binoculars on this picturesque hike as well as a picnic lunch for afterwards.

Sorry, no doggies on this hike.

Click on this link for more information and to register for Bluebells Hike - A Perennial Favorite.

Registration closes on Tuesday, April 2.

Take a survey about the C&O Canal - Deadline 3/5/2024

Kathleen — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 00:47:43 GMT

One of our go-to parks for Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic is the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. And so we wanted to let you know about a unique opportunity to offer your input to help improve the visitor experience at the park.

Please consider completing a 5-minute survey for a graduate school research project about visitors to the C&O National Historical Park and what services and information would be helpful when planning a visit to the park.

The study is for the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business and the Maryland Institute College of Art in collaboration with the C&O Canal Trust.

Click on this link to take the survey:

https://jh.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3jWrU8lxBszDeJ0

The deadline is Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Pedal or bipedal along the C & O Canal

Kathleen — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 17:27:48 GMT

Join Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic on Saturday morning, March 16, 2024, for an easy amble along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath. Choose your conveyance: Pedal or bipedal. Bike or hike. Roll or stroll. Ride or stride. It's all good.

We'll meet at one of the lockhouses along the C&O Towpath and enjoy either a nice flat bike ride or a nice flat walk. The two groups will head out at the same time and then meet back at the lockhouse after our dual excursions for a picnic lunch.

Bikers - Plan on this being a gentle out-and-back bike ride of about 12-20 miles. Bike helmets are required.

Walkers - Bring your binoculars for some excellent birding along the way - downy woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, black-capped chickadees, indigo bunting, cardinals, great blue herons, turkey vultures and possibly even a bald eagle or two. We'll also keep an eye out for some early spring wildflowers - the petite harbinger-of-spring, cut-leaved toothwort and spring beauty.

Doggies are allowed to come if you're walking. Per park rules, dogs must be on a 6' leash at all times.

Click on this link for more information and to register for Pedal or Bipedal - Your Choice.

Registration closes on Thursday, March 14.

A winter walk on the National Mall

Kathleen — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:21:43 GMT

Come explore the nation's front yard with a winter walk on the National Mall on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

We'll start at the U.S. Botanic Garden and then wander over to a hidden gem, the Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens.

From there we'll head down the National Mall and take in the majesty of the monumental core of our capital city as envisioned by Pierre L'Enfant. Our plan is to do a brisk winter walk along the Mall, but folks can also choose to stop by one of the Smithsonian museums along the way and then meet up with the group on our way back. Anticipate about a 3-mile walk in all.

For those who are interested, we'll wrap up our day at Mitsitam Cafe, located in the National Museum of the American Indian. You can either grab a pastry and specialty coffee at the Mitsitam Espresso Coffee Bar or stay for a culinary adventure all its own at the Mitsitam Cafe.

From their website: "The word Mitsitam means Let's Eat! in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples, reflecting the cafe's focus on the indigenous cuisines of the Americas. . . . The menu is divided into different regions, including the Northern Woodlands, South America, the Northwest Coast, Mesoamerica, and the Great Plains. Each section features traditional foods from those regions."

Click on this link to register for a Winter Walk on the National Mall.

Registration closes on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

Fossil hunting at Calvert Cliffs State Park

Kathleen — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 17:04:00 GMT

Wear your warm socks, don a hat and gloves, and bring a sifting tool (for fossil hunting) if you have one. Let’s explore together the state wildlands of Calvert Cliffs State Park on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Southern Maryland was once covered by a shallow sea. When the waters receded, the remains of prehistoric species were left behind. Over 600 species of fossils have been identified at Calvert Cliffs. Shark teeth are the most common find, so let’s go see if we have any luck at finding something really cool.

We’ll hike a 4.8-mile loop through marsh and woodland areas. At about the midpoint of our hike, we’ll spend some time on the little Chesapeake beach looking for shark teeth and other fossils. The 4.8-mile loop can be shortcut to 4 miles that day if it’s particularly cold. There is very little elevation change on this hike since the park sits at sea level on Chesapeake Bay.

Optional: For those who want to continue the fun after our hike, let’s warm up with a "hearty breakfast at lunchtime" at 2 Soul Sisters restaurant in Lusby, MD where breakfast is served all day! There are lunch/dinner combo plates as well if you’d rather.

Doggies allowed on this hike, though they won't be allowed at the restaurant.

Parking, meeting location and restroom details will be included in the confirmation email you receive after you register.

Click on this link to register for our fossil hunting adventure.

Registration closes on Friday, Jan 26.

Midwinter Movie Night and Potluck

Kathleen — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 16:52:49 GMT

Bring your signature side dish, marvelous main dish or divine dessert to share with others at our ever popular Midwinter Movie Night and Potluck on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

We'll have dinner first and then sit back and enjoy the movie, Nyad.

Marathon swimmer Diana Nyad sets out at 60 to achieve a feat that eluded her at 28: to swim from Cuba to Florida across more than 100 miles of open ocean. Academy Award winners Annette Bening and Jodie Foster bring to life the prickly Diana Nyad and her longtime friend and coach Bonnie Stoll.

This event is for Women Outdoors members only. If you would like to join Women Outdoors or renew your membership, please click on this Join Us link and follow the instructions.

Registration is limited to 10 Women Outdoors members. A wait list will open up if we reach 10.

Registration for movie night will open up on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

Click on this link for more information and to register (once registration opens up).

Creek Walk and Cocoa Crawl!

Kathleen — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 15:48:41 GMT

On the spur of the moment we have added an event to our Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic schedule. Read on for more info on this late breaking activity.

Celebrate your favorite December holiday with a bit of a lark. Join us on Saturday, December 16 for our Creek Walk and Cocoa Crawl in Takoma Park, MD.

First we'll go for a 3-mile walk through quaint Takoma Park neighborhoods and along the ever popular Sligo Creek Trail. After our walk, we'll go back to our members' home for a brown bag lunch.

Following lunch, we'll head out (take your pick: drive or walk just over a mile) for the fabulous Takoma Cocoa Crawl. Local restaurants and cafes will offer their signature take on hot cocoa. Adult versions will be available, too. In addition, many Old Town Takoma businesses will be offering special holiday deals.

We'd love it if you could join us for the whole caper, but feel free to come for just the creek walk or just the brown bag lunch or just the cocoa crawl. Mostly we just want to enjoy your company and celebrate the season. Ugly holiday sweaters are encouraged!

Click on this link for more information and to register for the Creek Walk and Cocoa Crawl.

Registration closes on Friday, December 15. Sorry, no doggies on this event.

A hike more precious than gold

Kathleen — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 18:38:02 GMT

There's more lore than ore along the Goldmine Loop Trail, but the real treasure lies in the beauty of the setting. Join us on Sunday, November 12 as we combine the 2.5-mile Goldmine Loop Trail with the 2.5-mile loop to the Maryland Overlook at Great Falls for a lovely fall hike.

The views from the Overlook of the Potomac River Valley and the C&O Canal are spectacular! The moderate trails are through an airy forest in the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

After the hike, we'll gather for a potluck brunch at a member's home nearby.

Sorry, no doggies on this hike and brunch.

Registration closes on Friday, Nov. 10.

Click here to register for the Gold Mine Loop Trail Hike and Brunch.

Hike and history at Patuxent River Park

Kathleen — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 00:20:34 GMT

A hike and history at the same time

Many of us have enjoyed kayaking at Jug Bay, but here's a chance to explore some of the other gems at Patuxent River Park. We'll start by going up the observation tower and take in the views over the wide marshes of Jug Bay. The tower is handicap-accessible if the spirit is willing but the knees are weak.

Next we'll head out on a mostly flat hike of about 4 miles that will take us through a diverse landscape of upland forests, swamps and marshes filled with birds and wetland vegetation. (Did you know that a swamp is a wetland with trees, while a marsh has only shrubs and herbaceous vegetation? Tip of the hat to Bryan MacKay, author of Hike Maryland.) We may also enjoy some leaf peeping on this hike as well as more views of Jug Bay.

After the hike, we'll sit down for a brown bag lunch at picnic tables overlooking Jug Bay. After lunch we have a special treat for history buffs or anyone who wants to step back in time - a walk through the Patuxent Rural Life Museums, a collection of museums and buildings dedicated to preserving the rural heritage of southern Prince Georges County.

The Duckett Freedman Log Cabin is a rare surviving example of a chestnut log farm tenant house from the 1880s. The Duvall Tool Museum features exhibits about traditional trades and crafts, a general store, and even a dental office from the early 20th century. A 1923 Sears Simplex House ($443) certainly qualifies as an OG Tiny House - just three rooms and a front porch with the separately purchased outhouse ($40) out back. Other museums highlight blacksmithing, tobacco farming and working on the Patuxent River.

Feel free to join us for just the observation tower and the Black Walnut Nature Study Area (short walking paths and boardwalks) at the very beginning of our hike. Then skip the 4-mile hike (and perhaps explore the Visitor's Center instead) and join us for the picnic lunch and Rural Life Museums afterwards.

To improve our chances of seeing lots of birds and possibly even some waterfowl on this hike, no doggies.

Registration closes on Thursday, Oct. 26. Click here for more information and to register.

Potluck brunch and planning meeting

Kathleen — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 01:13:27 GMT

Everything starts with a plan. Women Outdoors runs completely on volunteer energy and we need yours! Join us for our potluck brunch and planning meeting on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Come bring your ideas and energy for outdoor adventures with the Mid-Atlantic chapter of Women Outdoors. Bring your calendars, hiking and biking books, and any other idea generators and help us plan activities for the upcoming months.

We'll provide coffee and tea and ask you to bring a potluck dish to share.

This free activity is open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. (This brunch is a freebie and doesn't count as one of those events.) You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

The automatic confirmation email will contain the exact meeting location for the brunch.

Registration closes on Saturday, Sept. 16. If you register but then are unable to attend, please cancel your registration with Women Outdoors.

Click on this link to register for the potluck brunch and planning meeting.

A hike to kick off your Labor Day Weekend

Kathleen — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 01:01:49 GMT

Little Bennett Regional Park in upper Montgomery County offers a glimpse back in time to when it was a patchwork of old farms, mills and a one-room schoolhouse.

Join us on Saturday morning, Sept. 2, 2023, for a 4-mile hike (+ or -) through old fields, oak-pine woodlands, rocky hillsides, wet meadows and along Little Bennett Creek. If we're lucky, we'll spy a variety of late summer wildflowers in the open fields and meadows. This is an easy to moderate hike with some ups and downs and a few rocky trails. We may be sharing part of the hike with horseback riders and mountain bikers.

Doggies are welcome to come on this hike but must be kept on leash at all times.

Everyone must agree to the Women Outdoors Assumption of Risk statement during the registration process. Registration closes on Thursday, August 31.

Bring:

Water
Snacks and/or brown bag lunch for the trail
Insect repellent
Hiking poles (optional)
Extra socks or sandals in case there's a stream crossing (optional)

Please respect the trip leaders and other members and arrive on time - 9:30 a.m.

Click on this link for more information and to register for the hike.

A Summer Evening on the C&O Canal

Kathleen — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:30:17 GMT

Join us for something a little different this August: a mid-week, early evening, laid-back outing at one of the beloved jewels of our area, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

We'll meet in the late afternoon on Wednesday, August 9 at one of the lockhouses along the canal and . . . wait for it . . . just relax. Bring a camp chair, your beverage of choice, some snacks or dessert to share, and dinner for later. We'll enjoy the scenery and each other's company and just hang out for the evening.

We'll have access to the lockhouse, which has a bathroom and kitchen (stove, oven and refrigerator but no microwave), if you want to heat up your dinner or keep it chilled until we eat. Feel free to bring a camp stove if that works better for you.

After dinner (and the heat of the day), anyone who wants to can go for a walk along the C&O Towpath. You can also bring your bike and take a short ride. Or not. Depending on the weather, we may have a campfire.

Doggies are welcome to come on this low-key adventure (oxymoron?) but must be kept on leash at all times including while we're just sitting around outside.

Everyone must agree to the Women Outdoors Assumption of Risk statement during the registration process. Registration is limited to 20 participants and closes on Monday, August 7, whichever comes first.

Click on this link to register for A Summer Evening on the C&O Canal.

Bring:

Snacks/desserts to share
Camp chair
Water and/or beverage of choice
Dinner for yourself (and your own mess kit).
If biking, bring a helmet (required).

Mid-Atlantic Region's 14th Anniversary Hike and Picnic!

Kathleen — Mon, 15 May 2023 13:05:53 GMT

We're heading to Washington Monument State Park in Middletown, MD to celebrate the Mid-Atlantic Region's 14th anniversary with a hike and picnic on Sunday, June 4, 2023.

"Located atop South Mountain, Washington Monument State Park is named for the first completed monument dedicated to the memory of George Washington. The Washington Monument is a rugged stone tower that was initially erected by the citizens of Boonsboro in 1827." - From the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.

We'll hike first, starting with a short walk up to the Washington Monument to take in the beautiful 360 view. From there we'll take the Appalachian Trail for a fairly easy out-and-back hike of a few miles.

After the hike, we'll fire up the grill for burgers and hot dogs. BYOburger, hot dog, not dog, veggie burger or grillable item of your choice as well as a side dish or dessert to share. We'll provide watermelon for everyone. Leave no trace: Bring your own mess kit, utensils and trash bag to carry out your trash and recyclables.

If you're not up for the hike, feel free to join us for just the picnic afterwards.

Gear Giveaway/Swap/Sale - Most of us probably have some well-loved but seldom used outdoor gear at home. Bring that used gear and any outdoor themed books you have around the house to the picnic so they can find a new home with another Women Outdoors member. Be sure and label your gear with your name and price (if it's not a giveaway item). Everyone must take home whatever they bring if it doesn't find a new home.

Everyone must agree to the Women Outdoors Assumption of Risk statement during the registration process.

Click on this link to register.

Spring bike ride!

Kathleen — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 00:37:41 GMT

We haven't biked for a very long time, so we're starting out gently with an easy beginners ride on the Indian Head Rail Trail in Charles County, MD.

The paved trail runs 13 miles for an out-and-back total of 26 miles, but we'll probably bike a much shorter distance, say 10-15 miles. Because it's a rail trail, our ride will be mostly flat with just a gentle rise on the way out, which means a nice glide on the way back.

Here's a bit of what Rail-Trails Mid-Atlantic says about the Indian Head Rail Trail: "Cyclists and hikers can experience the surroundings of mature forests, natural wetlands, and occasional farmland as they pass through the Mattawoman Creek stream valley and some of southern Maryland's most scenic and undeveloped natural areas. . . . No matter your pace, the Indian Head Rail Trail is bound to delight."

We'll stop along the way for water and snack breaks and then eat our lunch at the end of the ride at a park near Mattawoman Creek.

Registration closes on Friday, March 31. This activity will be cancelled In the event of rain and all registrants will be notified.

Yay, camping!

Kathleen — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:50:58 GMT

We're heading to Codorus State Park in Hanover, PA on May 19-21, 2023, for a weekend of outdoor adventure including hiking and boating.

We have lots of options for outdoor fun! There are several hiking trails in the park as well as Lake Marburg, a popular fishing and boating destination with 26 miles of shoreline.

You can bring your own boat or rent from AOS Marina on the lakeshore. In addition to kayaks and canoes, small fishing boats or even large pontoon boats are available to rent. Codorus State Park also has a designated mountain bike trail area and a disc-golf course.

Doggies are welcome to come on this camping trip. You must reserve one of the designated pet friendly campsites (currently only available in loop C).

The camping cost is $24/night (non-electric), $31/night (electric), $26/night (pet site, non-electric), $33 (pet site, electric) plus a $6.50 reservation fee, plus $5 more per night for non-Pennsylvania residents.

Register with Women Outdoors first by clicking here.

As soon as you complete your Women Outdoors registration, you will receive an automatic email with the exact location where the trip leaders will be camping so you can select a nearby campsite through Reserve America or Pennsylvania State Parks. (See the campground map.)

IMPORTANT: Once you have a campsite reserved, please send an email to MidAtlantic@womenoutdoors.org and Becky@womenoutdoors.org to let us know which site you have.

This event is for Women Outdoors members only. If you would like to come on the camping trip and are not yet a member, please click on this Join Us link to become a member of Women Outdoors.

Everyone must agree to the Women Outdoors Assumption of Risk statement during the registration process.

Doggie Walk at Downs Park

Kathleen — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:32:44 GMT

Bring your 4-legged furry friend for this 4-mile woods and water walk at Downs Park in Anne Arundel County on Sunday, March 5, 2023.

We'll start our walk at the South Overlook and enjoy views of the Chesapeake Bay and possibly spy some blue birds at the aviary right next to the gazebo. Then we'll head out on the Perimeter Trail through a forest of oak, poplar, beech, birch, holly, sweet gum and sassafras. Toward the end of the walk, we'll stop at the dog beach so the pooches can romp in the water.

After the dog beach, we'll wander out to the end of the fishing pier and take in spectacular views of the Chesapeake Bay and across to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. (Sorry, dogs are not allowed on the pier.) Bring your binoculars because there's a good chance we'll be able to see several different kinds of ducks in the bay.

The whole trail is flat and paved so this will be a gentle walk in the woods. If you don't want to do the entire 4 miles, there's an easy cutoff back to the Visitors Center to shorten the walk.

We'll eat our lunch toward the end of the walk at a spot overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.

There is a $6 parking fee at Downs Park.

According to park rules, dogs must be on a leash at all times, except at the dog beach. Owners are responsible for picking up after their pets.

Registration closes on Friday, March 3. This activity will be cancelled In the event of rain or extreme cold; all registrants will be notified.

Click on this link to register for the doggie walk at Downs Park.

Double the birding, double the fun!

Kathleen — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 17:11:42 GMT

We're going to check out two locations at Mason Neck in Northern Virginia in search of winter waterfowl and other winged creatures on Saturday morning, January 28.

First, we'll meet at Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge for an out-and-back walk (about 1.5 miles total) along a paved trail to an overlook in hopes of seeing bald eagles, tundra swans and other wintering waterfowl.

Next, we'll head over to the Visitor Center at Mason Neck State Park and hike about two miles through woodlands with excellent views of the Potomac River. We'll look for more waterfowl as well as any other little birdies that catch our eyes along the trail.

There is a $10 parking fee (honor system) at Mason Neck State Park.

To increase our chances of seeing lots of birds, no doggies on this hike.

Registration closes on Thursday, Jan. 26 or if we reach 20 participants, whichever comes first. This activity will be cancelled In the event of rain or extreme cold; all registrants will be notified.

Click on this link to register for Double the Birding at Mason Neck.

Save these 2023 dates!

Kathleen — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 18:38:21 GMT

Here at Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic we hope that one of your New Year's resolutions will be to nurture your nature and join us on some of our many adventures in 2023. We have a wonderful variety of activities planned for January through August.

If you're already a member of Women Outdoors, thank you! We wouldn't be here without you. If you're not yet a WO member, you're invited to attend two of our events to check things out. On your third event, we'll ask you to join us. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link. (Some of our favorite events, like camping and our movie night, are open to WO members only. Just sayin'.)

Mark these dates on your calendar and stay tuned for more information.

January 7 - Bald eagle watch at Conowingo Dam - Darlington, MD
January 10 - Volunteer for mid-winter eagle survey at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - Cambridge, MD
January 28 - Birding walk at Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge - Fairfax County, VA
February 25 - Mid-winter potluck and movie night - location TBD. WO members only
March 5 - Doggie walk at Downs Park - Pasadena, MD
April 1 - April Fools Day bike ride - location TBD
April 29 - Birding walk at Huntley Meadows Park - Fairfax County, VA
May 19-21 - Camping trip with hiking and possible kayaking - location in Pennsylvania TBD. WO members only.
June 3 - WO Mid-Atlantic's 14th anniversary celebration with a hike and picnic - location TBD.
June 17 - Kayaking at Mason Neck - Fairfax County, VA
July 15 - Kayaking at Tuckahoe State Park - Queen Anne, MD
August 24-27 - Women Outdoors 43rd Annual National Gathering - near Albany, NY. WO members only.

See you in the outdoors.

Kathleen and Becky

Regional Contacts

Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic

Nurture your nature

Hoppy Holidays Hike on Saturday, Dec. 10

Kathleen — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:56:34 GMT

Hoppy Holidays, everyone! We're heading to Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore for a hike and hops.

First, the hike: We'll hike about 4 miles at Tuckahoe State Park. Tuckahoe Creek, named for the arrow arum, a sturdy wetland plant also called "tuckahoe," runs through the heart of this park. The wooded wetlands have defined this land for centuries and offer a glimpse back in time. The wetlands are home to a variety of songbirds and amphibians.

Our hike will be mostly flat along Tuckahoe Creek and around the edges of Adkins Arboretum. Doggies are welcome but must be kept on leash at all times.

Next, the hops: On our way back home, we'll stop by Ten Eyck Brewing Company for an apres-hike beer. If it's warm enough, we can picnic in the beer garden; if not, we'll sit in the taproom. Ten Eyck is owned by a team of women veterans and first responders. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are allowed in the beer garden and taproom.

Click on this link to register.

Welcome to our new Co-RC for Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic!

Kathleen — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 20:37:54 GMT

Hi everyone,

I am thrilled to announce that Becky has agreed to be co-Regional Contact (RC) for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors.

Becky is a lifelong outdoorswoman with wide and deep experience. In 1992, Becky through-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) and more than lived up to her trail name, Surefoot. She has organized and led outdoor adventure trips for the Girl Scouts, canoeing trips in Algonquin, Canada, and backpacking trips on the AT and in WV. Becky has also bicycle camped the Great Allegheny Passage and C & O Towpath, a journey of 185 miles.

Becky has been an active Women Outdoors MId-Atlantic member since 2019, attending three consecutive Women Outdoors National Gatherings, the National WO Cross-Country Ski Event in Craftsbury, VT, and dozens of Mid-Atlantic activities.

Becky has also led several hikes as well as kayaking and camping trips for the WO Mid-Atlantic region. This past summer after two years of covid delays, Becky organized and led a Women Outdoors 10-day service trip to Peru followed by a trek to Machu Picchu.

Becky and I look forward to being your co-RCs.

See you in the outdoors!

Kathleen

Co-Regional Contact

Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic

Nurture your nature

Save these dates!

Kathleen — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 23:36:12 GMT

Hope you've been enjoying the spectacular pageant of color put on by Mother Nature these past few weeks. Absolutely amazing!

We have some fun activities coming up in November and December 2022. Save these dates and stay tuned:

Sunday, November 13 - Hike at Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, VA with an optional stop afterwards at The Apple House in Linden, VA for a late lunch/early dinner and their famous apple butter cinnamon donuts.
Friday, November 25 - #OptOutside hike along the Rachel Carson Greenway in Brookeville, MD. Several years ago, REI took the unprecedented step of closing all of their stores on Black Friday and encouraging everyone to #OptOutside and enjoy nature instead. We'll do just that with this hike. (Full disclosure - Your friendly RC works part-time at the REI in Washington DC.)
Sunday, December 4 - Zoom planning meeting for 2023 Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic events. Grab a cup of coffee and join us for an online planning meeting in the comfort of your own home.
Saturday, December 10 - Hike TBD.

Watch this space for more details and the links to register for all of these events.

See you in the outdoors!

Merrell Meets the Mid-Atlantic Region

Kathleen — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 22:01:28 GMT

Merrell Shoe Demo Day

The Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors is thrilled to team up with Merrell for a very special event at Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, MD on Saturday, July 9, 2022.

When it comes to hiking, your most important piece of equipment is your footwear. Proper hiking shoes or boots make all the difference in the world between a winning day on the trail or misery of da feet. (Ouch, sorry!)

A field marketing specialist for Merrell will join us and will bring several pairs of demo Merrell hiking shoes for folks to try out on the trail. Don't miss this great opportunity to field test some Merrells.

Our hike for this event will be different from our usual fare. While testing the Merrells, we'll probably just walk along a short nature loop and possibly a slightly longer spur trail. This will be an easy walk in the woods.

After the hike, the Merrell rep will raffle off a very generous Merrell gift card to one lucky hiker. He'll also bring Merrell swag for everyone who attends. (Longtime Mid-Atlantic members of Women Outdoors know how much we love raffles and swag.)

Bring a brown bag lunch for a picnic after the demo event. If folks are up for it, we can do another short hike after lunch.

This activity is free and open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

Click here to register for Merrell Meets the Mid-Atlantic Region.

The Mid-Atlantic Region Turns 13!

Kathleen — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 21:18:23 GMT

Hard to believe, but we're now officially a tween! Founded in June 2009, the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors is now 13.

Join us as we celebrate our 13th anniversary of outdoor fun and friendship at Seneca Creek State Park in Gaithersburg, MD on Saturday, June 4.

Our region will lead a hike that morning, but other activities you can do on your own or with a friend include biking and boating.

Hike - Join us at 10:00 a.m. for a 3.7-mile group hike around Clopper Lake. Of course if you just want to come for the picnic and skip the hike, that's fine, too.

Bike - Bring your road bike and cruise around the park or your mountain bike and check out the trails in the Schaeffer Farm area.

Boat - Canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddle boats are all available to rent at the Seneca Creek Boat Center. You can also bring your own boat and launch it at the Boat Center.

We’ve reserved a picnic pavilion for the entire day. After the hike, we'll fire up the grill for burgers and hot dogs. BYOburger, hot dog, not dog, veggie burger or grillable item of your choice as well as a side dish or dessert to share. We'll provide watermelon for everyone. Also bring your own mess kit, utensils and trash bag to carry out your trash and recyclables.

This activity is free (except for park entry fee) and open to members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are welcome to attend two WO events as guests. On your third event, we'll ask you to join the Mid-Atlantic Region of Women Outdoors. You can also join right now by clicking on this Join Us link.

Click on this link for more information and to register for the celebration.

Hope to see you on June 4th!

Bald Eagle Watch at Conowingo Dam

Kathleen — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:17:32 GMT

Join us as we watch for bald eagles and other waterfowl at Conowingo Dam on Saturday, January 22, 2022, and then take a hike on the beautiful Susquehanna Heritage Trail. The parking lot area at the dam usually provides outstanding views.

We'll eat lunch after eagle watching and before our hike. Bring a brown bag lunch; the trip leader will provide hot drinks for everyone. After lunch, we'll enjoy an easy out-and-back hike of about an hour on the Susquehanna Heritage Trail. Sorry, no doggies on this hike.

This activity will be canceled in the event of rain or snow. In case of local flooding conditions, the dam area may be closed, affecting viewing. The trip leader will advise ahead of time.

Conowingo Dam is north of Baltimore in Harford County, MD. Allow at least two hour's drive time from the Washington DC metro area.

Walk through history

Kathleen — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 19:13:32 GMT

The Mid-Atlantic Region is visiting the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Park and Visitor Center on Maryland's Eastern Shore on November 16, 2021.

A state park ranger will give us a brief overview of the hidden symbolism of the park and visitor center and introduce us to the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman before we start our self-guided tour of the visitor center.

From the park website: "The 17-acre Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center invites visitors to experience Tubman’s world through exhibits that are informative and emotive, providing an in depth understanding of Tubman’s early years spent in Maryland's Choptank River region and her legacy as a leader, liberator and humanitarian in the resistance movement of the Underground Railroad. . . .The park and the adjacent Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge visitor centers are physically and intellectually linked to one another through programming, multi-use trails and roads."

After our tour, we'll have lunch in the picnic pavilion at the state park. It may be chilly, so dress warmly.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is just a few miles down the road, so anyone who wants to explore the area a little more can join us for a short nature walk and/or drive through the refuge. Blackwater is on the Atlantic flyway so we may see some migratory waterfowl while we're there.

Click on the link under Upcoming Events to register for this trip.

Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic is back in the game!

Kathleen — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 23:30:54 GMT

Hi everyone,

On March 25, 2020, I sent an email with the subject line, "WO Mid-Atlantic takes a time out." At the close of that email I wrote,"We'll be looking to trusted scientific and medical sources for guidance on when Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic can safely resume our monthly activities. In the meantime, stay safe and take good care of yourselves and your neighbors."

Now after more than 15 months, we turn to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for guidance and their website says:

If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.
Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, find a vaccine.

And so, thanks to effective vaccines and more and more people getting vaccinated, the daily rhythms of life are starting to reappear, friends and families are able to gather together again, and the Mid-Atlantic Region is heading back outdoors.

But first I need to let you know about some policy changes. After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board of directors of Women Outdoors adopted new rules for all events. One of the changes was that all Women Outdoors events were for WO members only. But breaking news: the board of directors has just lifted that membership restriction and changed it back to our pre-pandemic practice, which is that guests are allowed to attend two events before we ask you to join Women Outdoors.

Membership in Women Outdoors is a bargain (and a charitable contribution) - only $30/year for individuals and $15/year for seniors (65+), full-time students (18-25) and juniors (girls under 18). Click on Join/Renew to become a member of Women Outdoors today.

Now for the fun stuff. We are back! Please click on the links below for more information and to register.

Saturday, July 24, 9:30 a.m. - Welcome Back Hike and Potluck Picnic at Gambrill State Park in Frederick, MD. We'll stretch our legs on a short hike first and then gather for a potluck picnic at a shelter on High Knob at Gambrill State Park. Not up for a hike? Then join us just for the picnic. We want to see you!

Wednesday, August 18, 10:00 a.m. - Dog Days of August Walk in the Park and Swim at the Beach in Annapolis, MD. Bring your four-legged furry friends for a walk at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis and then let them enjoy a romp at the Dog Beach. Bring a brown bag lunch for afterwards.

Friday-Sunday, September 10-12 - Women Outdoors National Gathering at Camp Scully near Albany, NY. Join us for a weekend of laughter and fun with Women Outdoors members from all regions. WO members will lead all of the outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking and biking as well as several workshops. Camp Scully is only a 6-hour drive from the DC area (much closer than when the Gathering was in NH!). Southwest Airlines also flies to Albany from DCA and BWI. The Gathering is always a wonderful weekend of women coming together to make new friends and cherish old ones. Come join us!

That's it for now. Can't wait to reconnect with all of you!

See you in the outdoors,

Kathleen

Regional Contact

Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic

Nurture your nature

Update on fall events in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Kathleen — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 00:55:31 GMT

Here's our latest schedule. Click on each link for more info and to register.

Sky Meadows Hike - Delaplane, VA, Saturday, October 19
Rock Creek Park Hike - Washington, DC, Saturday, Nov. 2
Planning Meeting and Potluck Brunch - Takoma Park, MD, Saturday, Nov. 9

Preview of coming attractions

Kathleen — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 19:59:20 GMT

The Mid-Atlantic Region has lots of fun stuff coming up the next few months. Here's a sneak peek:

Bike to Brookside Gardens, Lunch and Garden Tour on Saturday, August 24.
Paddle and Picnic at Black Hills on Saturday, Sept. 14
Fall colors hike on Saturday, October 19
Walk through history at the Paw Paw Tunnel on Saturday, November 2
Potluck brunch and planning meeting, Date TBD
Mid-winter movie night and potluck dinner, Date TBD
What outdoor adventure would you like to lead?

See you in the outdoors!

Kathleen, Mid-Atlantic Regional Contact

Spring Bike Ride along Rock Creek and the Capital Crescent

Kathleen — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 17:00:17 GMT

Join us for a 20-mile bike ride through Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD along two of our region's most popular bike paths - the Rock Creek and Capital Crescent trails - on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Click here to register.

We'll start our ride at Fletcher's Boat House in DC, bike through Rock Creek Park, head across to Bethesda, and then back down the Capital Crescent to Fletcher's. Most of the ride is flat but there are some moderate hills in Rock Creek Park.

We'll take water and snack breaks along the way and then after our ride have a picnic on the banks of the Potomac at Fletcher's Boat House. No bike? No problem. Fletcher's Boathouse rents bicycles for $9/hour or $31/day and provides helmets. Everyone must wear a helmet and closed-toe shoes on this bike ride.

Welcome to 2013

Kathleen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:45:56 GMT

Welcome to 2013 and another great year of activities with the Mid-Atlantic chapter of Women Outdoors.

On Saturday, January 12, we’re heading to Calvert Cliffs in Charles County, MD, for hiking and fossil hunting. The massive Miocene cliffs were formed over 10 million years ago and rise over 100 feet above Chesapeake Bay. While we can’t access the cliffs themselves, we can walk the Cliffs Trail for the spectacular view. We’ll hike about 5 miles. There is a $5/per vehicle charge (MD residents), $7/per out of state vehicle.

Click here to register for the Calvert Cliffs hike or go to www.womenoutdoors.org/mid-atlantic. From there, click on Online calendar, scroll to January 12 and click on Calvert Cliffs Hike. Registration closes on Thursday, January 10.

On Sunday, January 13, join us for a potluck brunch as we plan our outdoor adventures for spring and summer 2013. We’ll provide coffee, tea and juice and ask you to bring a dish to share. Click here to register for the brunch or go to www.womenoutdoors.org/mid-atlantic. From there, click on Online calendar, scroll to January 13 and click on Planning Meeting and Potluck Brunch. Registration closes on Friday, January 11.

Our other upcoming events include:

Potluck and Movie Night – Feb. 2
Mason Neck State Park Hike – Feb. 23
Indian Head Rail Trail Bike Ride – March 23

All of our events are free for members and non-members of Women Outdoors. Non-members are invited to join us on two events before we ask you to join Women Outdoors. Annual membership is $30 [$15 for full-time students (18-25) and seniors (over 65)] and you can join online at www.womenoutdoors.org/joinus.

See you in the outdoors.

Mid-Atlantic St. Patrick's Day Bike Ride

Kathleen — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:05:10 GMT

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic will celebrate it with a 17 mile bike ride starting in Greenbelt, MD. Expect rolling hills and some bumpy pavement as we ride through some quiet sections of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. There are some busy roads as well, but they have wide shoulders. Wear your green and bring Irish soda bread for a picnic afterwards.

Click on this link to sign up for the bike ride or go to www.womenoutdoors.org/mid-atlantic. From there, click on the “Online Calendar” icon and then click on St. Patrick’s Day Bike Ride on March 17. Registration closes on Thursday, March 15. We’ll send an email on Friday, March 16 with details and directions to everyone who has registered.

Mid-Atlantic Wildcat Mountain Hike

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:10:52 GMT

It's been awhile since the last blog post of spring of 2010. We've actually been on lots of hikes, bike rides, and kayaking trips since then. I don't have time right now to catch us up on all of them, but I will start fresh with our latest hike which was the Wildcat Mountain Hike in Warrenton, VA on Dec. 3. It was a beautiful winter day, bright sunny skies -- a great day for hiking. Posted by Kathy C.

Jacks in the Pulpit Instead of Trillium

Kathleen — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:47:06 GMT

We originally planned on venturing out to Thompson Wildlife Management Area in Linden, VA, to see the magnificent display of millions of trillium. But with our unusually warm spring, the trillium bloomed earlier than usual this year, so we decided to opt for something closer instead.

Gambrill State Park in Frederick, MD, fit the bill. The Black Locust Trail treated us to jacks in the pulpit, a few columbine and budding mountain laurel. This trail comes with some lovely overlooks at the perfect time for lunch and the end of the hike.

We're going to see the trillium yet. It's already on the calendar for the first weekend of May 2011. See you there.

It's Not Called the Billy Goat Trail for Nothing

Kathleen — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:06:44 GMT

Like we said, it's not called the Billy Goat Trail for nothing. Almost 20 intrepid hikers set out on a beautiful clear day in April to experience the legendary Billy Goat Trail along the banks of the Potomac River.

Along the way, we were treated with Virginia bluebells galore. Although the trail is only a few miles long, the rock scrambling makes it a challenge for even the most experienced of hikers.

We lunched on an outcropping of rocks overlooking the Potomac River about 150' below us. Kayakers below and herons and helicopters above caught our eye.

Having tackled the hard part first, we meandered along the C & O Towpath back to the ever stunning Great Falls. Who would believe this gorgeous hike is just a few miles outside our Nation's Capital?

Cycling Through History at Antietam National Battlefield

Kathleen — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:17:25 GMT

On September 17, 1862, the Union and the Confederacy armies engaged in the bloodiest one day battle in U.S. history, claiming the lives of more than 3,600 soldiers and leaving more than 19,000 soldiers wounded or missing after brutal dawn to dusk combat. The Battle of Antietam provided enough of a victory for the Union that President Lincoln was able to issue the Emancipation Proclamation shortly afterward.

We mustered bicyclists from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania for our bike ride through Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, MD. The first day of spring actually felt like summer - bright sunshine and temperatures in the high 70s. After meeting at the visitor's center, we began our loop of the major battle sites, starting with the cornfield at the edge of the Poffenberger farm, where fighting began at dawn's first light.

We next rode to the Sunken Road, later named Bloody Lane for all the Confederate soldiers who died there. We ventured up the observation tower, built in the late 19th century for training purposes, for a bird's eye view of the battlefield landscape.

A thrilling ride down a steep hill led predictably to a moderately long uphill slog to the overlook above Burnside Bridge over Antietam Creek, where we watched a Boy Scout troop ceremony. After the Scouts cleared out, we decided the bridge made the perfect lunch spot.

After lunch, we biked to the Antietam National Cemetery and then headed back to the visitor's center. As it turned out, even though we had been on the road for a few hours, with all of our stops along the way, we had biked only 10 miles. One of our bikers decided she wanted to get in a few more miles, so she headed out for another loop of the battlefield while the rest of us packed up our bikes and headed home.

If you're at all interested in Civil War history, Antietam Battlefield is the place to go, and biking the battlefield is the way to see it.

We Got the Best of Cabin Fever with this Hike

Kathleen — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:49:05 GMT

After two back-to-back snowfalls in early February that dumped about five feet of snow, we were ready to put down our shovels and pick up our hiking and ski poles and head out to Little Bennett Regional Park for our Cabin Fever Hike.

When scouting the hike just a week earlier, we were trudging through snow above our knees. Fortunately, the snow had melted down to about eight inches when we set out for this hike. With a bright sun and clear blue sky above, sparkly white snow below and silhouetted trees in between, we enjoyed a lovely walk in the woods.

We Saw the Forest and the Trees

Kathleen — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:47:25 GMT

On a brilliant sunny January day, we met at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, for our Can't See the Forest for the Trees Hike. One of our members, a naturalist, led us on a fascinating walk through the woods and taught us how to identify trees in winter using clues such as patterns in the bark, trunk shape, branching structure, fallen nuts and many other natural signs.

Starting along a creek bed, we first identified trees that don't mind wet feet. From there we moved upland and found oaks of many colors - white, red, scarlet. Like all good students, we asked lots of questions and quizzed each other along the way.

The little waterfalls at the end of the hike provided the perfect spot to enjoy what we learned.

Holiday Hike Weathered Out

Kathleen — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:55:37 GMT

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Holiday Hike because of our first wintry mix of the season. Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, MD is a beautiful park adjoining Camp David. We'll definitely put this one back on our dance card or should I say, hike card?

Beautiful Flyway/Byway Bike Ride

Kathleen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:02:44 GMT

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to bicycle through Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and along the quiet country roads of the lower Eastern Shore: clear blue skies and temperatures in the mid-50s. Even the headwind at the start of the ride ended up being a tailwind at the end of the ride, much to everyone's relief.

Our eight bicyclists met just inside the refuge and headed out along Wildlife Drive. Although the tundra swans hadn't yet arrived from Canada, we did see a bald eagle, a great blue heron, and lots of ducks and geese.

We biked at a leisurely pace along the 25 miles of this ride. For a few of our group, this was the longest ride they'd ever attempted. With a break at 10 miles and our lunch stop at 20 miles, we all made it across the finish line, although at least one biker asked (half kidding, I think) where the sag wagon was.

We stopped at Shorter's Wharf for lunch and enjoyed a lovely view of the water with one kayaker slowly paddling by.

With the wind at our back for the home stretch, we pulled back into the refuge with that good kind of tired feeling.

We came, we ate, we planned

Kathleen — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:30:07 GMT

The combination of a planning meeting and potluck brunch for Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic proved irresistible to our group of intrepid outdoorswomen. The culinary offerings ranged from fresh pumpkin bread from the farmers' market to homemade quiche to a variety of salads - fruit, veggie and pasta.

With the first order of business taken care of (that would be brunch) we started on the second piece of business - the planning meeting. With calendars in hand, we selected dates and activities for Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic for January - June 2010. Each month we'll explore a different part of our region either by foot, by bike or by boat.

A PDF of our calendar will soon be available to download by clicking on the "Calendar" link on the Mid-Atlantic page. Women who would like to join us on one of our adventures can register by clicking on the "Special Events" link and scrolling through the calendar to the date of the event.

Hope you can join us.

Leaf Peepers Hike Rained Out

Kathleen — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:56:30 GMT

We had to take a rain check on our Raven Rocks hike in Bluemont, VA. With a steady rain and temperatures in the 40s, we decided that discretion was the better part of valor. We'll put Raven Rocks back on the schedule another time so we can enjoy the views it offers.

Canoeing, Kayaking and Cleaning Up the Anacostia River

Kathleen — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:37:00 GMT

Paddlers with Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic weren't the only ones who showed up Saturday morning at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Turns out the Anacostia Watershed Society was sponsoring one of its regular clean-up days on the river as well. Over a hundred volunteers turned out to help pick up trash from the river and its banks.

After some initial confusion about whether there would be enough kayaks for our group (there were), we launched from the dock and started our gentle paddle down the Anacostia River. A few of us also grabbed some trash bags and plucked plastic bottles out of the river as we kayaked.

We paddled against the incoming tide as we headed out, but knew we would be with the tide for the return trip when it counted the most. Our group of 20 paddlers (16 single kayaks, one double kayak and one canoe) rafted up for a break just outside the entrance to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Within just a few minutes, the wind and tide carried us a couple hundred yards back up the river. No more breaks after that!

Paddling past the entrance to the aquatic gardens, we spied three snowy egrets sitting on branches overhanging the entrance and told them we'd be back. We continued down the Anacostia to where the National Arboretum backs up to the river. We stopped briefly to admire a tiny new dock at the back of the arboretum with room for a couple of boats. The dock allows paddlers to tie up and enter the arboretum from the Anacostia River entrance. Keep that in mind when during azalea season!

We turned around at the arboretum and headed back to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The marshes at the gardens are so shallow that every minute of incoming tide expands the area that can be explored. (By the same token, you don't want to be left high and dry in the aquatic gardens when the tide is going out.) Most of the lilies were past their prime, but the gardens still treated us with sightings of lots of snowy egrets, a couple of kingfishers and a great blue heron.

Out little flotilla headed back up the river about the same time the clean-up crew was finishing. While the volunteers partied at the pavilion, we gathered in one of the park's gazebos for lunch before heading home.

Thanks to everyone for joining us on our first kayaking adventure. Hope to see you again.

Dog Days of August Hike Actually Pretty Cool

Kathleen — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:46:32 GMT

Okay, so we advertised it as the Dog Days of August Hike, full well expecting temperatures and humidity in the 90s. Much to everyone's delight, the temps were in the 80s and a breeze accompanied the hikers all along the trails. Two doggies, Gus and Shadow, led the way for the 14 hikers. The rolling hills at Sky Meadows State Park offered beautiful vistas at several turns along the hike.

One of our members couldn't do the hike because of a foot injury but she happened upon the graduation ceremony for the Youth Conservation Corps at Sky Meadows. Nine young women had just finished three weeks of fence building, bridge repairs and trail maintenance. Their proud families and park staff honored them for their achievements in a lovely ceremony in the barn at the park.

Slow Poke Bike Ride Lives Up to Its Name

Kathleen — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:22:53 GMT

The weather forecast called for hot and humid weather, but we were undeterred. We met at the Takoma Park Community Center at 10 and were soon cycling down Maple Avenue to the Sligo Creek bike path. Lucky for us, the path is shaded almost the entire way up to Wheaton Regional Park and Brookside Gardens. We made an unscheduled stop at the flea market at the outdoor skating rink, but alas, no great bargains were to be found.

We ate our lunch along the banks of Pine Lake and then strolled through Brookside Gardens in its full summer glory. At the gazebo overlooking the pond we counted at least 15 turtles swimming or sunning. The rose garden dazed us with the brilliant colors of dozens of varieties of roses. The giant sundial delighted us all and told the right time to boot.

The ride home, as they say, was all downhill from here. Literally, that is, not figuratively. Everyone agreed this bike ride is a keeper and Brookside Gardens is a treat in every season.

Official Launch of Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic

Kathleen — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:07:59 GMT

Women Outdoors Mid-Atlantic took its first steps as a regional chapter of Women Outdoors with a five mile hike today, National Trails Day, at Sugarloaf Mountain in Frederick County, MD. Ten women participated in this inaugural event of our chapter. Mountain laurel bedecked the entire trail and a surprise sighting of foxglove delighted the hikers.

The sky cleared by lunchtime, and we enjoyed a beautiful view of the valley from the overlook. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches proved to be the hands-down favorite for our hikers.

New Women Outdoors Chapter to Start in the Mid-Atlantic

Kathleen — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:46:31 GMT

Women outdoor enthusiasts take note: A regional chapter of Women Outdoors will be starting in the Mid-Atlantic later this spring. We welcome women from Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Delaware and West Virginia to join us as we seek adventure from the Atlantic Ocean to the Shenandoah Mountains. Join Women Outdoors and register for the Mid-Atlantic region to receive the latest updates on this new chapter.