WOFFers

Walking Outdoors for Fun and Friendship

WHO: Anyone who enjoys walking outdoors.

WHAT: We walk "for fun and friendship"—our main goal is to have a good time and get to know each other better. Therefore, we walk at a pace where people can talk to each other; we usually go 3-5 miles. We try to design some of the walks so there are options: different distances (2 to 6 miles), different trails (easy, moderate, challenging), or different paces (strolling to striding) since some people like to go a little faster or farther. Often people have lunch together at a restaurant on the way back.

WHEN: We plan walks on Saturday mornings during the Spring, early Summer and Fall. We meet in the UUCR parking lot at 8:15 a.m. for a prompt departure at 8:30 a.m. Depending on where we go, we are usually back by noon or so. (We also have some shorter walks in the afternoon.) People carpool or go in their own vehicles. We go rain or shine.

WHERE: We walk at places within an hour's drive of Rockville. We try to vary the types of walks, e.g. easier walks on the C&O canal or Rock Creek Regional Trail, as well as more difficult hikes at places like Sugarloaf Mountain or Great Falls, Virginia. We are also considering doing one walk at a further distance away, e.g. West Virginia.

HOW: Just show up between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. on "walking Saturdays" and that's it. Bring water and a snack. No need to sign up. We have an e-mail list of "regulars" if you'd like to get reminders about the schedule. People volunteer to organize the walks—that just means they decide where we are going and give Jill the information so she can send out announcements! (The walking schedule will appear periodically in Quest.)

The schedule for Spring 2008 is now available.

For more information, please contact Lana or Lou Cerny, Claudia or Bryan West, or Anne Hope Scott.

A Typical Walk

What a great day for a hike in Great Falls Virginia National Park. Starting at the Visitors Center, the group walked south on the River Trail, continued along parts of the Canal and Matildaville Trails to Sandy Landing and returned to the main section of the Park on the Old Carriage Trail. Total distance was approximately 3.5 miles. The hike included spectacular views of the Mather Gorge, sightings of about a dozen turkey and black vultures, a visit to the historical remnants of the old Potowmack Canal (yes, that’s how Potomac was spelled in 1790!), an impromptu chat with a Park Ranger about the logistics of rescue operations in the Park, and beautiful Fall foliage. After such an invigorating outing, the group really enjoyed the wonderful lunch at the nearby Great Falls Tavern!