Catoctin Mountain Park (2nd Post)

WOW!!  You guys are great!!  I am simply amazed at the response for a Catoctin trip.  I'm also amazed that 17 Nov 07 is turning out to be such a good day for everybody.   I wrote the park rangers an email asking them a bunch of questions but have not received a response yet.  I'll interpret that as they are too busy to answer.  However, I'm not worried because several of you are familiar with Catoctin and can provide guidance for arrangements. I have some questions for everybody: 1. What time would you like to meet?  I'm thinking early is good.  We can have a little meet and greet session and then hit the trail(s).  How about 8-9 am for a meet and greet (show up anytime between) and then hit a trail by 9 or 9:30.  Sound good? 2. How long of a trail would you like to walk?  How hard of a trail would you like to walk?  I assume there different lengths and difficulties available to us.  There may be some info in the old post area and I'll try to come up with specifics. 3. Do you want to do lunch and/or supper (i.e., a picnic/cookout) after hiking?  This would be a chance to show-off any high protein recipies you might have. 4. Do you want to hike more than one trail? 5. Is anybody interested in camping? Am I forgetting anything?  BTW, spouses are welcome.  I also doubt anybody is opposed to kids but Caryn mentioned that some of the trails were not kid friendly.  Please use your best judjment for that. Did I miss anything? Now that I've asked the questions, let me be the first to provide input:: 1. Showing up a 8 am sounds great to me!  It's a long drive from soMD but I'll make it! 2. The longer and harder the better (hmmm, that doesn't quite sound right ).  However, I know that not everybody can do that so I'll hike whatever kind of trail the group wants.  I'm more into meeting and hanging out with all of you anyway. 3. Absolutely!  I don't eat much these days but a hotdog cooked on a fire sounds great.  4. Sure, if time allows 5. I'm game for almost anything.

The 17th is good, I am a morning bird, so 8 - 9 am meeting works for me.  I can hike until y'all have to pick the rest of my lard-butt up off the trail  -   I could probably handle something they classify as mid-range.  And cooking out/having lunch/dinner sounds great.  I'd love to camp, but don't have a tent or gear (much other than a sleeping bag). 

I'm contemplating what time I need to leave Annapolis to be there by 8-9 a.m. .. if this is 'walking' as opposed to 'hiking' I'm up for probably 5 to 6 miles (I'll most likely be sorry .. but ..)   I'm in good cardio shape so I guess I could probably handle the lower end of intermediate. I'm not good with cookout foods .. but I can certainly bring a salad or something that I am able to eat. more than one????  let me get over the first one first..... I would love to camp . BUT .. I was looking at the website for the park and it doesn't appear to be RV friendly .. and Mo don't do tents .. .  If it were an RV friendly park I would have it made.   Would get Mr Mo to drive me up there on Friday night and be ready to go bright and early on Sat a.m. I'm hoping this works out for me .. at the moment the 17th is still clear and I'm planning to not let anything else interfere but there are always emergencies that come up at the last minute. Hugs, Mo

Eric, 1 - Exactly what time would us Southern Marylander's have to leave to get there by 8AM or 9AM?? Midnight?? No seriously, I'm game. I'm always up early anyway. 2 - I could handle 3-5 miles on a beginners or intermediate. 3 - salad, deviled eggs, hotdogs, hamburger, kabobs - all sounds good. 4 - Play it by ear 5 - If Mo ever brings the RV with her, I'm shotgun!!! Can also tent camp when Mr. Mo says no for me rooming.

 You are way too cute!!!!   I did mention the whole hiking thing to Mr Mo last night and told him he was invited.   Not sure which grunt I got in reply .. other than . That's almost to Emmitsburg .. lol ...  I thought about you lots yesterday.   Was in Ellicott City all day for a conference at Turf Valley Resort ... followed a school bus all the way across Rt 100 and onto 97 coming home in the rain.  When I got on 97 I saw another 'new' bus .. both buses were new style . but different and I wondered how you are doing with your new one. hugs, Mo

Thanks for asking! I honestly love the run. I don't mind the traffic or how the weather affects the commute. Not sure how I'll handle the snow/ice mix though. I take 97 straight up to 695 from Rt. 2. #129. Honk of you ever see me. If you ever bring the RV I definitely have to check out the inside of that baby! I think the hike will be fun - get our bodies moving. Something we haven't been able to do for long spans of our lifetimes. See ya!! TraciL

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond.  I'm thinking 2.5-3 hrs depending on traffic.  Since I'm organizing, I thought I might go up Friday and stay in a motel so I could be there bight-eyed and bushy-tailed Saturday morning. --Eric

I'd prefer a mid range type trail. I can meet anytime as I am normally an early person. Camping in November... hmmmm. I do have a 4 man tent. I haven't pulled it out of the shed in years. In fact, I have all of the camping equipment one may require.  I am game for what ever.

Aime, I think you'd have a blast camping!! As long as your over this crap in your chest. If you end up camping, let me know. Might take the plunge also. TraciL

Here's the website addy if anyone is interested. Gives directions, suggestions, camping info (they have cabins!!), etc. http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm Looks nice! TraciL