There’s three nights left to pay for the privilege of tromping through the forest and being scared. I highly recommend it.
I’m talking about local staple Markoff’s Haunted Forest in Maryland, of course. An annual event organized by Calleva Outdoor Adventures, MHF exchanges about $20 of your greenbacks for a dark & spooky wander through the woods. Punctuated by noises, slithering things, grabs, starts, shakes and eerie decorations, it’s a thrill ride. It’s not for everyone – my darling girlfriend responded to my invitation to come along with laughter and assurances that she and the Gilmore Girls would happily sit this one out at home while my judgment-impaired friends and myself waited in the cold for our number to be called.
That’s not a metaphor a la “getting your ticket punched,” it’s the tradeoff for a fun but popular event – the wait-time for your chance to walk down the garden nightmare path can be onerous. Our weeknight outing over a week ago had us arriving at 9:30pm and getting out turn at about 11:20p. There’s hot cider and bonfires, hayrides and projected spooky movies to occupy your time while you wait, but do yourself a favor: wear a warm hat. As we close in on Halloween you can be sure the crowds won’t be small, though they have supposedly opened up a second path. During my visit only one was open.
If the location doesn’t thrill you, Cavella links on the MHF page to Nightmare Forest, which is out in my neck of the woods. I haven’t given it a shot yet so I can’t speak to its quality, but if the Markoff’s people feel comfortable suggesting it I’m betting it’s worth a try.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
Well I used to say something in my profile about not quite being a “tinker, tailor, soldier, or spy” but Tom stole that for our about us page, so I guess I’ll have to find another way to express that I am a man of many interests.
Hmm, guess I just did.
My tastes run the gamut from sophomoric to Shakespeare and in my “professional” life I’ve sold things, served beer, written software, and carried heavy objects… sometimes at the same place. It’s that range of loves and activities that makes it so easy for me to love DC – we’ve got it all.
