( Riverside Outfitters / RIVERSIDE OUTFITTERS ) - A guest rides the zip line at Riverside Outfitters, which also offers tree-climbing.
This weekend, I’ll be taking part in a time-honored Washington tradition: getting out of town.
To most folks, that means hitting the beach. But my husband and I are headed to my in-laws’ place in Cambridge, Md., a town on the Eastern Shore where you won’t see anyone baking in the sand. Instead, we’ll be strolling along the banks of the Choptank River, bird-watching at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and riding bikes on country roads.
It’s a different way of life — and a different way to exercise. And I hope this summer we’ll be able to make time for other active getaways. Here are four ideas within driving distance.
Take a stand in Baltimore
What’s going to be hot this summer other than the weather? Stand-up paddleboarding (or SUP for short). Several local outfitters have added the long, floaty boards to their fleets of watercraft. That includes Baltimore’s Ultimate Watersports, which is pushing the Polynesian-inspired activity that looks a bit like surfing but doesn’t require a single wave.
In fact, when you’re starting out, you’ll probably prefer calm water. Although chief adventure officer Hal Ashman says it’s a cinch to learn, you’re guaranteed to fall a few times as you’re figuring out how to balance. Once you get the hang of it, you can row yourself around with a motion that’s great for strengthening your core and shoulders.
You can rent the boards, take lessons, go on eco-tours or attend a SUP yoga class — yep, paddle out and then stay steady as you try poses. “Hard to beat doing it on the water,” Ashman says.
Ultimate Watersports is at 7200 Graces Quarter Rd., Baltimore. 410-335-5352. Rentals $25 per hour, lessons $40; must weigh at least 65 pounds.
Out on a limb in Richmond
Even if you used to scramble up that huge pine in your parents’ back yard, chances are you never made it 70 feet in the air. (At least, not without getting grounded.) But Riverside Outfitters in Richmond, about two hours from the District, offers the chance for anyone age 5 or older to climb to sky-high branches using safety techniques borrowed from professional arborists.
The harnesses, ropes and pulleys designed to keep you from tumbling to the ground resemble rock-climbing gear, but the experience is different from scaling a wall, explains Matt Perry, president and co-owner. “You’re playing with the trees,” he says.
Staff members will happily show you the nitty-gritty of how they set up the system, but if you’re just into what Perry calls “thrilling fun,” then don’t worry about it. Simply enjoy the climb to the tops of red oaks, pretend you’re Tarzan and walk out along the limbs.
“For adults, there’s a nostalgic draw — and it’s a good workout,” Perry says. For kids, it’s a way to boost self-confidence. In other words, there’s something for everyone in your family tree.
Riverside Outfitters is at 6836 Old Westham Rd., Richmond. 804-560-0068. Prices vary depending on your needs; a two-hour outing with one instructor for up to five climbers is $150.
Zip it in West Virginia
The first part of any zip-line canopy tour used to be getting on a plane. But the highflying eco-tourism trend that originated in Costa Rica has finally made its way to the mid-Atlantic. In the past few years, the Washington region has welcomed adventure courses with zip lines. This summer, get ready to go the extra mile.
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