Lions, Okapis, Giraffes, Oh My! Adventure Outing--Girlfriends' Edition

When you're in a relationship, you learn what's feasible and what's fantasy. For instance, I've found I can't cajole Justin to go see a chick flick, enjoy a high tea or apparently visit the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (especially on a cold December day). But a girl's gotta use her Groupon before it expires on Dec. 31!

So I'm thankful when my fabulous gal pal Tamika (also a creative event planner) was game for venturing forth to the zoo.

It's actually the third-oldest zoo in the nation and in some instances that shows. Don't expect the variety of exhibits and animals that you might find at the National Zoo. We had fun just the same, even though many of the animals were more content to take naps than acknowledge our presence.

Two-Ounce Shots & Ticking Off Virginians

Have you noticed a trend that this adventurous couple has been spending more time across the border in Virginia? There was good reason to go across the river and then some this past weekend, when Justin and I set out for Ridgeway. We were on our way to see my great Aunt Betty, who is spry and articulate at 93.

We headed out in a suped-up Grand Jeep Cherokee (nice ride but doesn't corner well) down the Beltway, I-66 toward I-81. Ugh, avoid the usual Capital traffic if you can. We would have been better to go up to I-70 in Maryland and cut over West, even if we had more miles heading South. Construction and sheer Washington driving idiocy tacked on an extra hour of stop-and-go driving.

Team Maryland Vs. Hurricane Irene

There's a Hurricane a'coming!!

We might have lost the battle, but I believe Justin and I won the war with Hurricane Irene by completing most of our Virginia Beach vacation this past week. Technically, this wasn't a Maryland excursion, but we won't let details get in our way here!

So despite weather reports that Armageddon was descending on the Eastern Coast, Justin and I headed out Thursday morning for Virginia Beach. Take note if you're heading out of Eastern Maryland, it makes much more sense to take Route 301 South and connect to I-95 or US-17 rather than fight through the Capitol Beltway and I-95. Still we survived the road trip with no major spats (yay us!).

'SUP yo!

That's not street slang, but the acronymn for Stand-Up Paddleboarding, which is what Justin and I tried for the first time this past Saturday. It was a bit of a muddled affair but we thoroughly enjoyed the water-based activity. Here's how it played out:

We headed out bright and early Saturday morning to Hammerman Beach over at the Gunpowder Falls State Park, about 20 minutes north of Baltimore. The park itself seemed pretty nice but we found the beach area (it's situated right on the Bay) to be lacking compared with Betterton Beach. Yeah, we're biased.

The company we did the SUP lesson and rental was Ultimate Watersports. They offered a good price for an hour-long lesson and hour rental ($40). But we had Mother Nature to contend with, who decided after weeks of dry, hot weather she would rain down hard with impressive thunderstorms. Luckily, there was a a two-hour lull that allowed us to venture forth on the water!

I know, I know, these are low-quality photos! Major fail on my part for not checking that my camera had batteries in it! But as you can see, this marvelous sport involves one paddleboard (like a sufboard but longer and wider) and a long paddle (see how to get started here). You start out kneeling on the board and then push yourself up to a standing position. Yes, it takes balance and we both wiped out (curses that I couldn't get footage of that!). But once you get your "paddle legs," you can enjoy the board moving over the water. I think of it as kayaking on steroids!

Betterton Beach, MD

Describe it however you want--we all can agree it's been ridiculously hot in the DC area. So when I sweated through my clothes (gross, I know) for the third straight day in my 10-minute walk to air-conditioned work, I knew it was time for an outdoor water getaway. But with gas prices high and only one day off, Justin and I ruled out Ocean City or Rehoboth Beach. We wanted somewhere closer with fewer crowds. The answer: Betterton Beach.

Tucked away in Kent County at the top of the Bay, this hamlet has an easily accessible public beach. Justin and I left Crofton on a Friday morning and made it to Betterton before noon, passing little traffic once we were over the bridge. You'll drive through quaint towns like Chestertown and Centreville on your way. A word of caution that GPS systems may blip out in Chestertown but don't panic. They'll find a signal.