Zipping to a Ball and Zombies

I love October, with its pumpkin scents and flavors, colorful changes of leaves, and cooler temperatures. This year, the month has had a surprising number of firsts working alongside some more familiar activities.

 

I completed the annual pilgrimage to Markhoff's Haunted Forest, which for the uninitiated is a wonderful half-mile haunted trail in the middle of the woods in the middle of nowhere in Maryland. It supports a charity that allows kids to have outdoor experiences they otherwise wouldn't. I have been experiencing Markhoff's for more than a decade with various friends and family members each year. What I had never done, and what I had eyeballed last year, but decided I wasn't in good enough shape to do, was the zip line.





This year, 50 lbs lighter than the last time I'd seen Markhoff's, I zipped my way across the waiting area, grassy knolls, and haunted portable toilets to my destination, an extremely slippery wood ramp (which was the most dangerous part). The zip line coordinator was dressed like Luke Skywalker and was a lovely young man by the name of Matt, who teaches kids how to use the zip line every day. He was very impressed that I chose Markhoff's for my first experience and that I was the only one from my group doing it. The guy at the end congratulated me for only briefly screaming at the beginning, when I took the first step off the perfectly sound and solid wooden platform into thin air. I was just fine when the slack disappeared and the harness engaged, and it was a delightful experience from then on ...



The second first this October (yes, I meant to say that) was going to a ball in DC. I had done a number of dress-up events while in college and one or two times professionally since then, but not in at least five or six years. I took advantage of the opportunity to try on dresses at all levels of dress shops. The most expensive dress I tried on was more than $900. The dress I bought was the only one that didn't need to be altered. It was also the only dress I tried on that made me say "I look good in this dress" rather than "this dress looks good." I even got updated makeup and other odds and ends to finish off the whole experience. I had a lovely time dancing, chatting with friends, making new friends, and just enjoying the live music and the atmosphere.

Zombies making lively music!

The third first was going on a Zombie fun run. Yes, I can now say I can run a 5K for fun. It was put on by the local running shop and featured volunteers, character actors, and makeup artists from Markhoff's. Some of the runners ran in costume, but the biggest treat was running around the Kentlands neighborhood with the yards all decked out for Halloween. We ran past many a garden graveyard, Grim Reaper, and inflatables of all kinds before being attacked by zombies on the misty lake path. A great time was had by all!

No, I didn't feel like a bag of bones at the end of triathlon night!

Not only that, it was the first stop on triathlon night tonight. I ran the race, biked 11.5 miles, and swam 36 laps before the pool closed. And then went home and had enough prepared food in the fridge to feed myself and a guest dinner without it being a big deal. Those who know me from times past know just how rare this is ...



The final first will be whatever Halloween costume I select, or that selects me as the case may be. I am going to treat myself to something I could never wear before. But being as the clothing budget has been stretched by the colder weather, I will be seeing what's on sale on Friday. Pirate princess? Wonder Woman? Lady of the Lake? One thing is certain, the giant pink gorilla costume is not on the menu this year, though it was an excellent companion to my nephew's Winnie the Pooh outfit for Halloween in 2010. I'm curious to see what the morrow brings ....