Surprises in Maryland

ArtScape

 The anual ArtScape in Baltimore is the biggest free art festival in the United States. The streets and surrounding buildings of about five blocks were filled with art displays, theater groups, opera performers, organ/ piano music showcases,  DJs, bands, computer games, decorated cars, and so much more. Michael, Brooke, Tristan and myself drove into the city where we met up with another team leader, Toby, and one of my dearest friends, Kelly. We spent the day walking around the venues, enjoying loads free samples and drinking NattyBo (a staple beer of Baltimore). Live music sounded from a number of interesting stages. including a the back of a boat (parked on the street) and another with a rotating piano. Eventually our hunger got the better of us so enjoyed dinner at Iggies Pizza, a local staple in the Mount Vernon area.

“Do not try, only do.” 

I’ve started a homework assignment to watch more movies that are often referenced or are otherwise significant to popular culture. Griff provided me a pretty extensive list. Our house has an extensive VHS collection that’s been accumulating over years of NCCC inhabitants. One of the gems contained is a box set of the original Star Wars trilogy which I took on this past week. Despite it’s futuristic representations created with technology from the past, the story remains captivating enough that even I held my criticisms back. That’s something that only people who’ve watched movies with me can appreciate. 

 The nature of my current position has kept me in Perry Point most of the time. Day trips to visit teams in Baltimore MD, Camden NJ or Wilmington DE have allowed for some travel but it’s been a while since I’ve been truly on the road. I very much miss the constant adventure and trials of the unexpected. Luckily this weekend I got a good taste of such adventures.

An AmeriCorps NCCC alumn from the Denver campus recently contacted our office to see if anyone could come out to an event that took place this weekend. He’s a naturalist at the Asageague State Park near Ocean City, MD and was helping to organize a convention aiming to get youth of color more involved with the environment. Speakers included a veterinary, the founder of an organization called Outdoor Afro, a River Steward and a videographer who won an Academy Award for best short documentary a few years ago. The audience ranged in age from about 16 to 21 and were all involved in local work/ volunteer programs focussed on environmental stewardship and education. Mark, the NCCC alumn, arranged for us to stay at a camp site for 2 nights right next to the beach. 

 We drove down on Thursday evening and fell asleep under the stars to the sound of waves crashing on the shore. There’s no better lullaby. On Saturday morning Tristan, Brooke and myself all rose early to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and then went for a morning swim. We even saw a pod of dolphins swim right past us. All the coffee in the world couldn’t have invigorated us as much as that spectacular morning. We followed Mark and a one of the park rangers to the conference center where we set up an information table and got to chat with some of the local environmental organizations. A woman there was talking about how she only knew of NCCC because she worked with a team for a day on a project in Massachusetts cleaning a river. I had a project cleaning a river in Massachusetts. After further investigation we discovered that she’d joined my team in Somerville for a day of service removing water chestnuts from the Mystic River. What a small freakin’ world. 

 After listening to the speakers we traveled to the Asateague State Park for an afternoon of water activities. Kayaks, paddle boards, crab and clam nets were all available for everyone to use. The most remarkable thing about the park is the wild ponies that inhabit the entire 37 mile long island, from Chinkateague up to Asatague. They walk around without taking much notice of the hundreds of visitors with campers, cameras, boats and bonfires. Thursday evening we cooked dinner over a bonfire and watched a thunderstorm roll past, only spurting a bit of rain on us. On Friday morning we were woken up by the sound of hooves galloping through the campground. We sat up just in time to see about eight ponies run right past our tents. They made their way to the beach and I followed suit a few minutes later. I was able to swim as the sun rose over the ocean and witness nearly ten dolphins playing in the waves while wild ponies walked the shore line. It was so refreshing to be sent somewhere for work that was truly spectacular.