[SkateDC] Eastern Shore Skate is ON

[George Marinkovich]

Saturday (10/10/09) at 12 noon in St. Michaels, MD.

The weather seems to indicate that it will rain Saturday AM, but the amounts they are forecasting are seven-hundredths of an inch (0.07 in.) total.  That's not a lot of rain, folks.  The forecast for the PM is pretty good, and with some wind and sun the roads are expected to be dry by 1 PM.  Please plan on arriving at 12 noon.  We will leave by 1 PM, perhaps earlier if conditions warrant.

Original announcement follows:

___________________________________

Just
an observation:  it's usually windy on the Eastern Shore, you may wish
to take warm clothing with you (including perhaps some fleece or a
windbreaker) as you may wish to change into dry clothing before
dinner.  In the past we have eaten outside.

* WHAT? * Join WAR for a repeat of the So-Long-to-Summer skate near St.
Michaels on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The distance will be *28 miles*.
The roads are flat, have excellent pavement and have wide bike lanes. We
plan to skate at an intermediate pace with two planned rest stops
(bathrooms/ refreshments available). Various pace lines are common. We
will also have a couple of regroup points to catch up. If you (or your friends)
aren’t up for skating it, you are very welcome and encouraged to join us
on your bikes!  

* WHERE? * We’ll skate the same loop as we have done in the past: from St.
Michaels to Easton, south to historic Oxford, where we’ll cross the Tred
Avon River by ferry, and return to St. Mikes. It has taken about 3-1/2
hours in the past, including the wait for the ferry boat. Afterward 
we’ll again adjourn to the Crab Claw
 Restaurant for seafood (or burgers)
and beer (or whatever). Here's the route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2126966

* MEETING PLACE? * The skate will start at or about 12 noon from the
*Municipal Parking Lot* at Talbot and Mill Streets in St. Michaels. (If
the lot is full, additional parking is available farther down Mill
St. (as is the restaurant) For those who like to caravan or car pool,
we’ll leave the New Carrolton Metro Station Kiss-and-Ride Parking lot
(near route 50 and the Beltway) at *10:00 sharp*.  If you want to participate
in a car pool please make arrangements by email before Saturday.

* WHAT TO BRING? * Carry some fluids (water stops are about 10 miles
apart: this ain’t DC folks!). Bring money for the Bay Bridge toll
($2.50), ferry boat ($3 skaters, $4 bike),
and eats (the restaurant deals in *cash
 only*!).

* LOOKS LIKE RAIN? * If the weather looks questionable (or you get lost),
call George Marinkovich (cell phone 301-367-8374) to answer whether the skate is
on or off.
____________________________________________

Driving Directions from New Carrollton Metro Station

Leave Metro parking lot via access road.

Turn right on Garden City Drive.

Get into one of the two left lanes and proceed through underpass.

Get onto *Rt. 50 Eastbound *(toward Annapolis).

Stay on Rt. 50 for about 60 miles.

*Bear right* on *Rt. 322* for about 2 miles.

Turn *right* on *Rt. 33* (which becomes Talbot Street in St. Michaels).

Municipal Parking Lot is on the right at the corner of *Mill Street*
(across from Highs Dairy store).

If the lot is full, additional parking exists farther down Mill Street.
_______________________________________

One last thing:

This
skate is  a continuing memorial to Ed Irmler.  I didn't know him
well as he was a little before my time with WAR, but many people do:

"For those who didn't skate with Ed Irmler, he
led the St Michaels skate, led every year, and it continues in honor
of him. Ed was killed several years ago while cycling in MD by a
motorist who ran a stop sign. Those who've been with WAR for XX
years miss Ed very much and remember him for the phenomenal friend,
skate leader, and person he was. It's so wonderful that WAR
continues to honor him with this skate." -- Meg Peters
 
"Ed was one of
the first skaters in WAR i met.  I can honestly say i can call him a
mentor in the regards of street skating. he knew how to have fun but
was smart about it too.  i had the fortune of teaming with him and his
wife on one of the CAM tri-athlons and i still cherish and remember
that day.  he was truly a great human, skater, and inspiration.
 
Ed, we miss you." -- Chuck
 Opperman

Additional trivia:

Ferry: http://www.oxfordbellevueferry.com/_2.html

The Crab Claw Restaurant now has a website: http://www.thecrabclaw.com/index.html 

Someone
at the Crab Claw went crazy with the virtual tour camera, there are 360
degree videos of everything at the restaurant with the exception
(thankfully) of the restrooms.

Some things never change -- the
Crab Claw still doesn't accept credit cards -- so be sure to bring
cash.  (For the momentarily impecunious there's an ATM outside the restaurant, and if not there, a Bank of America ATM
at 305 S Talbot St.)

Cheers,
George