Day 3: Winter Is (Still) Coming

David was kind enough to let us sleep in his house.  David got a call at seven in the morning from Dave the captain of the skipjack saying he needed to cancel because of the 6 inches of snow.  He forgot his pot and pan.  Cotter called his dad to ask if he would bring us a pan since he lived close and he said "government is closed so I'm off work.  Why don't I just bring you a dozen donuts?"  An hour later he walked through the door with two dozen assorted donuts.  After breakfast, we went to DC to explore some of the Smithsonian museums.  We returned to David's house, made dinner, and played the best game ever.  Claire recommended a movie to us entitled "A Fierce Green Fire." This is a documentary about the history of the environmentalist movement in the United States.

- Cotter -

Day 2: A Poem

Cold, alone, dark.

Searching for dry bark.

Obviously not prepared,

but never was I scared.

Apples and bagels over a roaring fire.

To "save the Bay" was our desire.

Off we went to House Winegrad.

The vegetarian chili was not too bad.

Saving oysters was our task.

Wet and Sandy, Mike wore a mask.

Making a bar, an oyster bar.

And then for the birds, we traveled far.

Tundra swan, fish crow, great blue heron.

Learnin' 'bout the bay 'cus we carin'.

A turn for the worse,

snow is out curse.

         ...

- Anonymous - 

- Mike & Kat -

Day 1: Setting Up Camp

Day One - One hour can ride later, we for to the Phillip Merrill Center.  It was an interesting mix of cloudy and sunny weather, resulting in sudden hot weather that reminded me of summer, and cold weather that only told me that spring was yet to arrive.  Setting up with the tent was difficult in the wind, but we finally got set up.  We chilled, played some ultimate, and made a sweet fire.  Coming here with no expectations, and knowing that it would snow the next day, I actually found myself really excited for the week, and everything that we would be doing.

- Lyndon -

Day 1: Bay Bound

On Saturday, we arrived at the Phillip Merrill Center of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  It was exciting to see where we would be spending the next week.  After setting our tents up on the beach, we built a fire and spent a great evening talking and reflecting on the week of service that awaited us!

- Claire -

Pre-Trip Service at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

This past Saturday a group of ASB Chesapeake '14 participants got together with a larger group of volunteers to help pick up trash, move paving stones, rake leaves, remove fallen trees, and clear invasive vines from Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens.  It was a beautiful day to partner with Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the National Parks Conservation Association to help get the park ready for the Spring season, and get the group ready for Spring break!  Only 19 days until we leave for the Bay!

And so begins a New Year of Alternative Breaks...

Today, Alternative Winter Break teams from the University of Maryland, College Park are departing for their AWB Experiences.  You can follow along with them at their respective blogs (after the jump) and by searching for the #umdawb hashtag.  Please join me in wishing them a safe journey and a wonderful week of service-learning.  Happy AB!

Pre-Trip Service with CBF!

Today was the last day of the fall restoration season for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  They will take a break during the winter months while they make plans for all the great work they'll be doing (and we'll be helping with) in the Spring.  But before they do, there was one last thing to take care of: Planting 1,000 native trees at Lovell Farm in Carrol County, Maryland.  With the help of CBF staff and additional volunteers from across the watershed, the planting only took around an hour!  It was a great day and I'm glad we got a little bit of exposure to one of the restoration activities we'll be participating in on our AB experience.  Planting native trees and shrubs along the banks of waterways and on converted agricultural land (like this farm) is one of the most effective ways to keep pollution and runoff from entering the streams, creeks, and rivers that eventually drain into the Chesapeake Bay.  And we're all about the Bay, am I right?

Thanks to everyone who came out to volunteer today.  And don't worry if you couldn't make it. There will be plenty of trees to plant in the Spring!