Living

Nico Dodd • August 15, 2013

The National Sporting Library and Museum in Upperville, Va., hosted the 2012 Benefit Polo Match and Luncheon Sept. 23 as the cap to its POLO! Weekend.

On Sept. 22, the library hosted a symposium, “The Evolution in Polo in America,” which featured prominent experts in the sport. Panelists included H.A. Laffaye, Michael H.S. Amato and Charles Muldoon.

Sunday’s main events were a benefit luncheon and polo match at the Virginia International Polo Club in Upperville. A two-course luncheon was paired with Dusky Goose Pinot Noir, donated by Rambouillet Vineyard in Oregon. The match was between Beverly Polo club and Right At Home polo club and was officiated by German Noguera.

In addition to the polo match, festivities included a parade of the piedmont foxhounds, a performance by the Washington Scottish Pipe Band, a ladies hat contest and a release of doves. An awards ceremony followed the match. The event was chaired by Jacqueline B. Mars.

The art exhibition, “Chukkers, The Sport of Polo in Art,” runs through Sept. 30 at the National Sporting Library and Museum. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

To learn more about the The National Sporting Library and Museum, click here. [gallery ids="100999,132985,132992,133000,133007,133016,133023,133032,133040,133046,133054,133061,133067,133074,133083,133090,133097,132979,132971,133130,133125,132878,133119,132888,133113,132897,132904,132912,132919,132928,132934,132942,132949,132957,132964,133105" nav="thumbs"]

Alison Schafer •

You can see them huddled together near the basketball court at Rose Park. Catch a snatch of a conversation between two moms on N Street. Watch them fret over iced tea and poke at salads at Patisserie Poupon. Parents. Fretting.

It is private school admission season, and tensions are running high.

“It is a tragi-comedy,” mutters one mother, whose son is in kindergarten at Georgetown Day. It certainly generates a lot of anxiety, and a great deal of discussion among a certain set. It is also time-consuming. All those school tours. All those parent coffees, Q and A’s, and child visits. A lot of bother for the privilege of paying $25,000 a year for something you can also get for free.

“It is a long process,” says another mother. “You go look at the school, at yet another posh art room, then you apply and write essays about your kid’s strengths—painful—and then, worst of all, you take the kid in and the school decides she ‘has trouble with transitions’ and they don’t let you in!”
Then, there are the standardized tests for four-year-olds with questions like “Can you name a vegetable?” Then there are SSATs for the bigger ones. “Boat is to ship as log is to…” The tests mean more appointments, more fees, more stress, and more time spent away from schoolwork, running around outside, or sanity.

Parents complain the process can make you crazy. All the rumors and “helpful” tips have a famous parent. Okay, then, know any famous people? Hillary Clinton wrote for one kid. He got into Sidwell. Or do you have a lot of patience and a lot of dough for myriad $50 admissions fees? Another family applied to 13 private schools—13! That girl got into Washington International School. Got private-plane kind of money? One school is rumored to have let in both its richest and the dumbest class during the first year of a massive capital campaign. “All the rooms in this building,” the mother of an 8th grade boys says, “are named after the families in our class.”

Annie Farquhar has been the director of admissions at Maret for 24 years. She says applications come in at a healthy clip, despite the economic downturn, and she recommends a relaxed attitude toward the whole process. That’s probably because she is in the enviable position of gatekeeper, when demand for spots is high and supply is low.

“If parents are nervous about applying,” she says, “their child will pick up on it, so try to relax and enjoy this discovery process as much as possible.”

Of course, the best way to approach it all is with a big worldview. How much does it really matter? Perhaps less than it seems on that March day when the letters fall through the mail slot? Perhaps admissions directors know what they’re doing when they don’t let little Tommy in because he cannot sit still? Maybe he would not thrive at school X, despite what his parents want?

Megan Gabriel is the mother of three kids—one in college, one at St Albans and another at NCS. She says perhaps private school parents ought to “jump ship, save our money and put the time, effort and thousands of dollars into public schools. After all, as far as colleges are concerned, an A is an A, no matter where it comes from.”

Ari Post •

“We need the tonic of wildness,” wrote Henry David Thoreau. “We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where we never wander.”

Since its publication over a century and a half ago, Thoreau’s novel “Walden” has become a seminal manifesto for naturalists and admirers of wildlife, as well as philosophers, poets, artists and wandering spirits. Living in a sparse cabin in the woods and enfolding himself within the untamed wilderness, Thoreau painted an unprecedented portrait of spiritual discovery through nature, one that is still called upon to inspire us to preserve, protect, and adore the sweeping, rapturous beauty of the American landscape. He makes a case for solitude, observation, and consideration, asking we look inside of ourselves to find the beauty that surrounds us.

I return to passages of this book frequently, usually when autumn starts rolling in and the warm daylight of late summer starts giving in to gusts of evening chill. The changing of the season reinvigorates my sense of the natural world—perhaps it is the anticipation of the beauty of changing leaves, perhaps the eagerness to come out of hiding from the August heat. There is a clarity and crispness about fall that wipes clean the slate of our spirits and offers a fresh perspective. And during this time of year, no area better captures the spirit of the swelling season like the sprawling, endless Blue Ridge Mountains.

Around every bend of the Blue Ridge Parkway, we come face to face with natural splendors, historic landmarks, cultural heritage, and timeless beauty. Starting at Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA., (just an hour outside Washington) and winding down to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina border in Tennessee, this network of mountain roads holds within its graveled palms all the secrets, spells and quiet adventures that Thoreau has long implored us to share with him—with a few added luxuries and amenities that he probably never considered.

Whether embarking on a quick weekend getaway or taking a week off to explore autumn’s ephemeral bounty, there are worlds to explore in the Blue Ridge. From wineries, restaurants and B&Bs, to art centers, historic sites and heartbreaking overlooks, the perfect season is fast approaching to appreciate this hidden treasure of the East Coast.

To pull a word of advice from Mr. Thoreau once more: “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
Live in it now, before it all disappears into the grey dawn of winter.

Come For The History
One of Thoreau’s greatest influences was Thomas Jefferson, and it’s easy to understand why. Jefferson’s genius and influence as a leader, a politician, an independent and original thinker and a downright American is impossible to overlook or encapsulate. He quite literally wrote the book on independence and the virtue and value of the individual. Jefferson was also a man of relentless curiosity – fascinated by the world around him, always learning from what he encountered.

The house and grounds he built at Poplar Forest for his retirement, just outside of Lynchburg, VA, was a private, personal retreat, where he was free to indulge in his favorite pastimes of reading, studying and thinking. Today, the preserved estate is one of this country’s true hidden gems. The culmination of many of Jefferson’s long-incubated philosophies of life, Poplar Forest became a canvas on which he designed and built his most personal landscape and architectural creation. It was a place where he came to find rest and leisure, rekindle his creativity and enjoy time with his family.

Witness meticulous historic restoration in progress at the house Jefferson considered his best design for the life of a private citizen. Tours of the house offer the chance to learn about the estate’s architecture, preservation, and life in the early 19th century. Discover Jefferson’s vision for his gardens, ornamental plantings, and farm. There are also special events, including musical performances, historical theater, and lectures centered around the private genius of this American icon.

At Poplar Forest, visitors are offered not only a peak into Jefferson’s life, but into his mind and private world. A visit to Poplar Forest will deepen your understanding of Thomas Jefferson, as here he focused on his personal pursuit of happiness.

If you’re looking for a bridge between history and the great outdoors, The Natural Bridge, less than an hour down the road from Poplar Forest, might just do the trick. Equal distance from Charlottesville and Roanoke, VA, this bridge of solid limestone rock is a National Historic Landmark and twenty stories of sheer natural wonder.

After hiking to the top, the adventurous among us can descend 34 stories to explore the deepest caverns on the East Coast. A serene nature trail takes you through the great stone archway and alongside the Cedar Creek, and then down to the spectacular Lace Falls.

For those with less of an itch for adrenaline but an equally unquenchable interest, the exotic indoor butterfly garden offers a unique opportunity to experience an array of these delicate natural beauties.
In an oddly befitting twist of fate, the Natural Bridge was once owned by Thomas Jefferson—it was also surveyed by a young George Washington and traversed by Civil War soldiers. It is a true portal to history. For more information visit www.PoplarForest.org

Wine, Dine & Stay the Night
When combing through over 500 miles of historic roads and highways, resplendent with rich and vibrant communities and lush farmlands, there are going to be more opportunities to eat, drink and relax than to shake a stick at. However, there are a few undoubted highlights, both near and far from the Washington area.

For those who want to keep within relative proximity to the District, Barboursville Vineyard lies north of Charlottesville, VA , on the outskirts of the Blue Ridge Mountain range. If you’re embarking on a longer trip, it’s a great stop en route to more distant Blue Ridge territories.

The centerpiece of Barboursville is their tasting room, built in the style of a Northern Italian farmhouse that greets guests with a roaring double-sided fireplace during the colder months. Here you can sample the vineyard’s award winning wines, peruse books on all things viticultural, or relax at a table or on lawns overlooking the vineyards and the Blue Ridge with a bottle of wine. Their winery guides free weekend tours that takes guests around the vineyards and reveals the rich history of the Barboursville estate.

Palladio Restaurant is the estate’s restaurant, the culinary expression of the vineyard and the region, with Northern Italian influences that reveal a rooted culinary sophistication. Their sweet potato gnocchi with apple-pecan slaw is not to be missed. Enjoy a regular lunch or dinner, or reserve a wine dinner or cooking class, and get a backstage pass to the art of food and wine pairing, with an unmistakable local flare.

There are dozens of places to stay around the area—Barboursville is just a hop, skip and jump from Charlottesville. If you want the full accommodation and dining experience, The Boar’s Head Inn resort is a great choice, as well ask Keswick Hall and the Cedar Springs Inn & Spa. For more information, visit www.BarboursvilleWine.net

If you’re in it for the longer drive, Banner Elk Winery & Villa is perhaps the quintessential Blue Ridge getaway. In the far west of North Carolina, almost by the Tennessee borderline, Banner Elk is nestled far into the mountains, and a stay at their intimate villa might just give you the refreshing taste of wilderness you seek. Awaken to the cricks, whistles and willowy swoons of nature, followed by breakfast on the veranda.

Their Farm to Table dinners begin with a glass of wine and a nibble from the vineyard kitchen, followed by a stroll through the kitchen garden where the season’s offerings are explored, and a peek into the barrel room that offers a brief overview of their winemaking process. Kitchen ingredients change seasonally and are grown and sourced locally, either on the grounds of Banner Elk or from local farmers. For more information, visit www.BannerElkWinery.com

The Arts of the Blue Ridge
From bluegrass music and folk art, to time honored carving and furniture-making traditions, there’s no shortage of artisanship in and around the Blue Ridge. The Blue Ridge Music Center celebrates the music and musicians of its past and present, established by Congress in 1985. The site includes an outdoor amphitheater and indoor interpretive center used to highlight an important strand of American musical culture, which is still alive and thriving in the region.

Located in historic Galax, VA , long revered for its regional musical heritage, the Center brings visitors into the traditions of ancient fiddle and banjo traditions of Virginia and North Carolina, music that can be traced to the meeting of the African banjo and the European fiddle in the Tidewater before the founding of our country.

The Center’s concert series, performance-talks and new exhibition, The Roots of American Music, trace the history of this regional music through local artists back to the creation of the music generations ago by Europeans and West Africans, showing how it continues to influence many forms of folk and popular music made across America today. The music performed is from today’s revered keepers of the Appalachian music tradition, like the duos Bill and Maggie Anderson, and Bobby Patterson and Willard Gayheart. For more information, visit www.BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org

Located five minutes from downtown Asheville, N.C., the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Folk Art Center brings together the crafts and artistic traditions of early America to a contemporary venue for all to explore. The dynamic and multifaceted center showcases the finest in traditional and contemporary crafts of the Southern Appalachians, housing three galleries, a library and craft shop that host events and exhibits throughout the year.

The Southern Highland Craft Guild, chartered in 1930, is one of the strongest craft organizations in the country, representing close to 1,000 craftspeople in nearly 300 counties throughout nine southeastern states. For more than 80 years, the Guild has been bringing together the crafts and craftspeople of the Southern Highlands to educate and preserve these historic traditions, and now hosts five craft shops, regular educational programming and two annual craft expositions.

From Oct. 18 – 21, you can experience this unique tradition at the 65th annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands. From stone and wood carving, blacksmithing and wheel thrown pottery, to ancient yarn spinning techniques using natural plant dyes, the festival is, rather fittingly, one for the ages. For more information, visit www.SouthernHighlandGuild.org

Foliage Watching and Skyline Drive
During the month of October, usually mid-to-late month, the autumn foliage reaches its peak radiance, changing first on the highest peaks and working down to lower elevations. It’s really impossible to predict how and when the leaves will change each year—there’s no simple formula to it and there are many determining natural factors—but the best plan of action is to pick a day and start driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Another tip: go on a weekday, even if you have to take a day off work. On weekends during peak foliage, the Parkway can turn into a near parking lot.)

Perhaps the most scenic and breathtaking route is Skyline Drive. A 100-mile stretch of mountain road that runs the entire length of the Shenandoah National Park, beginning in Front Royal, VA., on the north end, no other highway carries the zeal and sweep of the rolling Blue Ridge landscape quite like Skyline Drive. Around every bend you are met with picture-perfect, draw dropping overlooks. It is almost a requirement to have two passengers in every vehicle: one to drive, and one to take photographs. There are also plenty of scenic overlooks and turnoffs that offer opportunity to step out and really soak in fall’s transient splendor.

The reminder of nature’s grace and beauty is truly the greatness of the fall season. Take a tip from Thoreau and don’t let it pass by you. [gallery ids="100985,131821,131809,131816" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Ayrshire Farm opened its doors for a unique event Sept. 15 that offered guest the chance not only to enjoy a magnificent farm feast dinner but to see this spectacularly beautiful certified organic farm with its heritage breed animals.

Attendees enjoyed a meal that was both elegant and down home. It featured the best of Ayrshire Farm’s fresh products and local foods and enjoy local wine and beer, hay-wagon tours of the farm, live music and demonstrations by Ayrshire chefs and livestock managers shared their vision and dedication to certified organic, certified humane and sustainable farming practices. The meal included grilled peaches, field green, heirloom pecans with a honey-lavender vinaigrette.

There were hay-wagon rides, demonstrations at the Shire Horse Stable, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a demonstration of “farm-to-table cooking” as well as music provided by Flint Hollow and Steve Hagadorn.

Ayrshire Farm, located in Upperville, Va., was the first Virginia farm to be certified both organic and humane. The farm produces a variety of meats and organic produce supplied to top regional restaurants, including its own Hunter’s Head Tavern, Home Farm Store and Ayrshire Farm Catering Company.

For more information, visit www.ayrshirefarm.com. [gallery ids="100981,131786,131780,131766,131775" nav="thumbs"]

Ari Post •

Right now is an incredible confluence of events in the real estate world. Prices of homes seem to have bottomed out in 2011 and are expected to increase slowly over the next five years. Mortgage rates are also at an all-time low with 30-year fixed rates at under 4 percent.

This situation has turned itself into a solid opportunity for those looking to invest in second homes in the Virginia and Maryland countryside. Real estate development companies that specialize in country living are holding onto steady and well-priced properties that offer the same low-cost, low-mortgage benefits as the rest of the country, inside a radius of which Washington residents can take full advantage.

Within a 30-minute to three-hour drive of the city, sprawling country and waterfront estates are waiting to be bought up. From Keswick, to Middleburg, to the foothills of West Virginia and Maryland, it’s a great time to get a foothold in countryside real estate.

Middleburg, Virginia
Middleburg is a great place to start looking. The Virginia countryside has long been a favorite area for Washingtonians’ interest in country living. Renowned for its prominence in the horse world with its several hunts, horse farms, and abundant open countryside, the area draws worldwide interest.
There is also some worthy real estate news for the Middleburg area. Thomas Anderson, president of Washington Fine Properties, has announced that his brokerage firm, long regarded for its luxury market success here in the Capital Region, will now operate their brokerages in Middleburg and Washington, Virginia as Washington Fine Properties.

“I’m so excited about this,” says Anderson. “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I know the upper end market very well. This change allows us to offer our clients in Middleburg and the Virginia countryside maximum exposure for their farms and properties through the direct connection to Washington Fine Properties.”

Anderson, who has worked with the well-known Middleburg firm Armfield, Miller & Ripley founding partners Gloria Armfield, Carole Miller, and Ruth Ripley for over 25 years, is honored to now be heading the firm. Washington is the primary feeder market for the Middleburg area, and this merger of Washington Fine Properties’ offices is meaningful in further strengthening the bond between these complementary locations.

“Everyone knows it’s not only quite special and important in terms of being perhaps the greatest hunt country territory in America,” he says, “but for the sheer beauty of its remarkably undisturbed landscape.”

Helen MacMahon, of the Middleburg-based Sheridan-MacMahon Realtors, is also optimistic with the direction of the market. “People are surprised that what they thought were low offers are being accepted,” she says. “Things are also being priced correctly. That’s why there are so many places under contract now.”

MacMahon is anticipating new inventory this fall, as buyers and sellers settle in from the summer. Yet August, she admits, “has been crazy—we’ve had more properties go under contract in the last six weeks than in I don’t know how long.”

Keswick Estates, Keswick, Virginia
Sitting on 600 acres, Keswick Hall is a sprawling country estate in the lush foothills of Keswick, Va., perhaps one of the best-kept secrets on the East Coast. With the very best of comfort and accommodations, couples spa treatments, exceptional wines both local and international, and world-class cuisine, Keswick Hall brings together all the luxuries of the world’s finest resorts with the distinct character of the Virginia region. They also have a large handful of estates and homes for sale in their private neighborhood—perfect for those who want to live in the lap of quiet luxury.
With over thirty available lots available, the prices range from the $300,000 to the $650,000 range—well under the million-dollar mark. For the remarkable beauty of the area and the world class amenities just down the street, these houses are worth considering, and now is a good time for a few reasons.

“I can say that right now we are in the process of evaluating the master plan for Keswick Hall and the club itself,” says principle realtor Jeff Galanti, who works for Riverstone Properties, the firm that acquired the Keswick Hall Estate from Orient Express last year. “While the results are still to be determined, we will be enhancing the property, which will certainly add value to those lots and homes. I’d say it’s better to get in before these things happen rather than after, when prices will likely go up.”
To get an idea of what Riverstone will be planning with Keswick Hall, Galanti points to the firm’s other resorts for a portfolio. Among others, the firm owns the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, and Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, where they just had the PGA championship.

Thomas Jefferson called this area of the country the “Eden of the United States,” and Keswick Hall holds true to this claim.

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
The Greenbrier has distinctive and beautiful neighborhoods peppered throughout the lush estate of its historic resort. West Virginia real estate and luxury golf course homes feature fairway, creekside or mountain views, with many enjoying close proximity to the resort and Greenbrier Sporting Club amenities.

Greenbrier estates have many options. You can choose to be in the center of everything with a home in Copeland Hill, its first neighborhood, or if you enjoy privacy with spectacular views, a home in The Ridges might more to your liking. Whichever property you choose, it is a property that you and your family can call home for generations to come.

Creighton Farms, Aldie, Virginia
Conveniently located on Route 15 in the scenic Route 50 corridor, near to the shops and restaurants of historic Leesburg and Middleburg and within minutes of Dulles Airport and Tysons Corner, Creighton Farms is a community for those who don’t want the luxury and privacy of a first-rate community without having to drive an hour outside the city.

Creighton Farms also has a large handful of luxury home sites with dramatic views of woods, meadows, mountain ranges or their gold course. The sweeping vistas, style and club community are available as a limited edition for most homeowners.

Wintergreen Real Estate, Wintergreen, Virginia
A peaceful resort community nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, close to Charlottesville, Richmond and Washington, D.C., Wintergreen Real Estate offers year-round living inspired by seasonal magnificence in a combination of mountain and valley settings, both complete with world-class golf, tennis, swimming, miles of marked trails, and countless other amenities. After almost a decade of careful planning and design, Wintergreen was founded in 1974 by agents of Wintergreen Real Estate Company.

No matter what you are looking for, from a house on a mountain top to land in the magnificent rolling valleys and mountains of Central Virginia, you will find it here. Wintergreen Real Estate has a constantly-changing collection of houses, condos, and land in and around the Wintergreen Resort.
The firm also has access to countryside estates in Nelson County, home to thousands of acres of farmland, gorgeous estates, and homes of all sizes. Just thirty minutes outside of Charlottesville, Nelson County offers peace and seclusion within a stone’s throw of a great community.

East Beach, Norfolk, Virginia
East Beach is a waterfront community in Norfolk, Va., designed and built in the tradition of Atlantic Coastal villages. Beautifully crafted homes reflect the timeless architectural character of traditional Tidewater Virginia homes.

East Beach is located just ten minutes from Norfolk International Airport, and twenty minutes from downtown Norfolk. The community is right on the Chesapeake Bay where the Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. In only ten minutes, you can walk from the beach at the north end of the community to your boat at the deepwater marinas at the south end of the community. For beach or bay-loving homeowners, this would be the community for you. [gallery ids="100966,130839,130832,130821,130829" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • August 8, 2013

**Dear Stacy:**
***I hate my job. I have hated this job for years. I am at my breaking point. The hours, the bad attitude of my coworkers, the indifference of my supervisors ? I?ve pushed through this for years but now I?m over all of it. The only thing holding me back from quitting today is my wife and family. We live a very comfortable life due to my salary. I have looked for other jobs for months, but the only ones that would give me the same compensation are in my current field and would just be more of the same. I want to do something totally different ? more nature-based, more flexible hours. My wife is 100 percent against this kind of change and keeps telling me that it would be too hard because we would have to downsize our house/lifestyle and the kids would be pulled from their schools. I know she?s right that it would be a big life change, but I am so unhappy and it seems like she doesn?t care at all.***
***? Dead End Job in D.C.***

Dear Dead End:
This sounds really, really difficult. I am so sorry that you feel this way and that things seem so hopeless. Ok, the empathy part is over, so brace yourself for the tough love part of this response.

When someone says he has hated a job for years and adds the one thing holding him back is Wife and Family, that seems a little simplistic. Staying in a job that made you miserable and, perhaps, even clinically depressed, was your decision. People ? often men ? deny their feelings of sadness or inadequacy, pretending those feelings don?t exist in order to maintain a brave face throughout a really difficult time. The thing is, those feelings don?t just go away when you deny them. They metabolize in your body and become part of the way you interact with everyone, all the time. So for years, you actually have not ?pushed through? anything, but rather, stockpiled your frustration and anxiety about your difficult work situation and allowed it to poison the relationships around you.

Major life changes like moving houses and changing multiple kids? schools do not come without consequences. Asking Wife to do what you did ? ignore her feelings and keep a brave face ? will only result in more distance between you two. It?s not that you don?t get to have a new job and a new outlook. But when things are so dire that we think the ?new thing? (a.k.a. job) is the only cure, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. The first step must be getting yourself healthy (Read: counseling, antidepressants, healthy lifestyle) and rebuilding your trust and connection with Wife (this is where you get to talk about how you feel she doesn?t care). You need her to be on your team and make the next decision together. She?s not going to go willingly ? she?s protecting her family and, accordingly, her defenses are strong and tall. The repair work starts with her.

***[Stacy Notaras Murphy](http//www.stacymurphyLPC.com) is a licensed professional counselor and certified Imago Relationship therapist practicing in Georgetown. This column is meant for entertainment only, and should not be considered a substitute for professional counseling. Send your confidential question to [stacy@georgetowner.com](mailto:stacy@georgetowner.com).***

Wally Greeves • August 6, 2013

When tee times at the legendary golf courses of Ireland and Scotland that spawned the game are not being used by professional golfers, I always pictured them to be overflowing with freemasons, ex-presidents, famously transient exiles or Bill Murray. Having just arrived back from a whirlwind tour of golf course greats, including Royal County Down, Turnberry, Carnoustie and St. Andrews, Wandergolf is happy to report that normalcy is abound and plentiful on the Emerald Isle and the banks of the North Sea.

Nestled against the Mourne Mountain range within the town of Newcastle located an hour southeast of Belfast, Royal County Down is one of the most picturesque golf courses I have ever seen and by far the most difficult links course I have ever played. The front nine holes along Dundrum Bay were so windy that the roots of the purple horse and golden heather rough extended an extra foot to snag shots with extra spin on them before swallowing golf balls whole. Landing on a green in the windy conditions from any elevated lie brought to mind SAT prep questions involving gum wrappers thrown from moving airplanes. Assuming it was findable, advancing a golf ball from the wall of one of the famously “bearded” sand traps abundant on the course was apropos to hitting a round needle in a living haystack off of a hippie’s face. The freshly mown walkways through the hills and the fairway outlines were beautifully showcased by the virtually untouched negative space comprised of the Murlough Nature Reserve and were fairly accessible as observation points by placing well thought-out and executed shots. The views from the tee box at the 9th hole of Royal County Down are photographed more so than any other golf hole in the world.

The opportunity cost of course ignorance when playing famous “bucket list courses” almost necessitates the use of caddies when available. The numerous blind golf shots at Royal County Down would have been daunting without guidance, and the performance I turned out on the front nine would have been unbearable if not for the humorous stories of my predecessors. I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed with score-changing caddie advice given to me in matters of when and when not to snack, proper body hydration, noticing and handling pre-shot agitation, and the uselessness of smoking cigars during a round. Your caddie will probably not tell you, but 85 percent of the time he is a single-digit handicapper, and ten percent of the time he is a scratch golfer.

The shock value of the course diminishing some and the hills insulating the back nine from the bay winds allowed me to score better during the second half of the round, contributing to the good taste the experience left me with. On a random note, everything from the simple ivy-covered iron welcome sign to the humble clubhouse hammered home the future our country simply hasn’t yet seemed to evolve to: namely, that the size of the yard is more important than the size of the house. It was also intriguing and a testament to Royal County Down to observe and listen to the citizens of Newcastle take pride in their landmark. In times of political upheaval in Northern Ireland, adventurous and prosperous golfers would helicopter in to play a round here. The cost of getting my clubs to Glasgow from Dublin via Ryan Air the next day in order to play Turnberry may have been more expensive.

The Ailsa Course at Turnberry has hosted four Opens, most notably the 1977 “Duel in the Sun” between Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. The course is named for the Ailsa Craig, a volcanic island whose rock is famous for its uses in making curling stones. The view of the clubhouse on the hill, the Ailsa Craig, the Turnberry Lighthouse, and the beach itself create some of the best backdrops in golf.

Most memorable golf events, trips, and spectacular moments have been hugely enhanced or ruined by the people I have shared them with. While people do seem to make the difference, the morning round I played on the Ailsa course with just my caddie was my favorite of the trip. The visual ease with which the course intertwines itself amongst natural water and rock outcroppings along the coast makes you feel like the whole thing was just left behind in the recession of some large wave of the past. So deep was I lost in the guided meditation that my only really major error occurred when playing through a noisy foursome on the 15th tee.

Turnberry is not by itself among the country’s great golf courses, in that your non-golfing companion can walk the course with you if they choose to. My wife walked part of most of the courses I played and enjoyed the experience (or so she said). Turnberry Resort is an 800-acre Starwood Luxury property, and such a world class destination by itself that even if you don’t play golf there are a wide range of things to do including spa activities, horseback riding, shooting stuff, 4 by 4 offroading, and water zorbing. Yes, water zorbing, the art of hurtling yourself heedlessly around on the high seas in every imaginable direction and position within the confines of an oversized, puffy Christmas ornament.

There is no substitute for visiting something in person that you have seen on TV, read about, or, in this case, played a virtual reality round of online (although, unbelievably, this is kind of cool). Playing Royal County Down and Turnberry was part of an incredibly enjoyable trip to Ireland and Scotland, and I look forward to talking more about the Links at Carnoustie and St. Andrews next month.

Wandergolf will be a frequently appearing golf column in The Georgetowner that will be reporting on the golf interests of Washingtonians. If you have suggestions for columns or comments, please email them to [wally@wandergolf.com](mailto

Eve Barnett • July 26, 2013

Home to everything from gourmet cupcakes to rooftop bars, D.C. is fertile ground for new trends to take root. This summer, Washington welcomes another winning fad: themed runs.

“Take running and add a whole lot of silly,” said Dean Silkstone, manager of Georgetown Running Company, describing this new athletic phenomenon. Ranging between three and 10 kilometers, the races have their own quirky obstacles and characteristics. These themes give the events a special twist that makes, as Silkstone explained, “running enjoyable even for people who never before considered themselves runners.”

“The events focus not so much on competition but instead on fun,” said Silkstone, so that people of all ages, gender, and levels of athleticism can participate. College freshman Gawan Fiore said, “The vast majority were 18-28 [years old]” in an electric run he recently completed. “Our races end up being about 55 percent female,” added Michael Epstein, president of the Down & Dirty Obstacle Run.

However, that’s not to say these races are not family-friendly. “It is a great father-daughter experience,” said mud-running veteran Jim Delgado, calling both runs he completed with his daughters “memorable and a lot of fun.”

The D.C. area will host singles’ runs, mud runs, rave runs, color runs and firefighter-themed runs, to name a few. Here is a preview of the most spunky, intriguing ones coming up soon:

Run n’ Mate 5K kicks off its five-run series on Friday, July 19. Describing its participants as “a community of young, active adults who want to meet other people with similar interests,” this race says it provides the “perfect opportunity” for runners to socialize. On Friday evening, participants gather for happy hour at a bar to mingle with – and motivate – each other. Saturday morning, runners complete the 5K. At night, they enjoy a post-race celebration in a local bar or club with their fellow finishers. Details can be found at [here](http://www.runnmate5k.com).

Down & Dirty Obstacle Run takes place on Sunday, July 21. “People looking to test themselves and try a new, exciting event” should try this race, said Epstein. Offering both 10Ks and 5Ks, participants climb a 24-foot cargo net, crawl under a rope net, leap over logs, and trek through a thick mud pit before completing the course. Details can be found [here](http://www.downanddirtymudrun.com).

The Rave Run happens on Saturday, Aug. 17. This 5K, starting at 8:30 P.M., refers to itself as the event that brings “the adrenaline pumping music and special effects from electronic festivals into a fun run course…with music and light stations, neon-clad runners and a thriving after-party with live music.” Details can be found [here](http://wwww.theraverun.com).

Color in Motion 5K, on Saturday, Sept. 14, covers runners in pigments, paints, and pastels throughout the course. The run directs participants to wear white and prepare for “your moving body [to be] plastered in an explosion of vibrant color with all your friends” and promises to “transform a group of ordinary runners into a moving rainbow,” giving participants and spectators alike a morning to remember. Details can be found [here](http://www.colorinmotion5k.com).

Hero Rush Obstacle Race, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 21, describes itself as “the tough, crazy, fear-facing fun 4-5 mile race with 17+ totally unique firefighter and hero-themed obstacles.” Exposing participants to the types of athletic challenges faced by firefighters, the event pushes runners to push themselves outside their comfort zones and test their physical limits. Details can be found [here](http://www.herorush.com).

With courses scattered throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia and such a broad range of themes, there indeed seems to be an event for everyone.

Plus, since this themed run phenomenon appears to be here to stay, why not run, walk, crawl, jump or even dance along?

Rachel Scola • July 23, 2013

We’ve all seen the water bottles that count milligrams to help you consume the recommended daily 2-3 liters of water. The bottles are disguised in trendy colors with words like “quench” graphically displayed and sometimes can be found in your local drugstore, right next to bottles of the vitamins and nutrients we are also recommended to take. It’s hard to consume these routinely, and thus the nutrient-enhanced beverages were born.

Most of us are not strangers to nutrient-enhanced waters. I’m sure each of us has, or has a friend who has, grabbed a VitaminWater instead of a sugary soda during a lunch break. Just in case you are a bit unfamiliar with the world of enhanced drinks, or you are looking to expand your palate, here is a quick list of some choice beverages to taste test for yourself and potentially add to your routine.

Kevita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks: With over eight to choose from, there is bound to be one flavor of these bottled drinks that suits your taste buds. Many options contain coconut water, which has been popular for the past couple years and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s an acquired taste that isn’t necessarily for everyone, but the benefits include high potassium and low calories. Kevita’s drinks are all vegan, certified organic and contains four strains of live probiotics that help your immune and digestive systems. Probiotics are most common in dairy products, but Kevita is fully dairy-, lactose- and even glutenfree.

Recently, it added a daily cleanse option to their collection- a lemon cayenne simplified detox that has less sugar and a lower price tag than other cleanses. A fair warning: the sparkling factor of Kevita, while giving it a unique taste,
can be a bit powerful. Each bottle is under $3. Try the pomegranate black tea as your first step into the Kevita world.

Bluedelta: You know a water company is serious when they have a monthly membership club in the works. The 20-20 club with bluedelta will have cases delivered each month, along with perks like a free case after ever 10 bought and
training and exercise tips. Bluedelta water has an 8.6 pH level, meaning it has higher alkaline levels than your average spring water. These alkaline levels help flush out toxins, strengthen cell membranes and even help promote better circulation. Bluedelta water goes through an electrolysis filtration process to change the pH level and the molecule
structure, making the molecules smaller and easier for your body to absorb. A case of 20 bottles can be bought for $24.99 online.

Blk. Water: Black is the new clear in the world of water if you choose to enjoy this beverage. With marketing and packaging that
is just as unique as this water itself, blk. boasts zero calories, sugars, and carbs and also a pH level of above 8 to help
cleanse your body from toxins. The color comes from the organic fulvic trace minerals that are added to the pure water base. Don’t worry: blk. doesn’t have a thicker consistency and tastes like normal water. It’s not a miracle drink, but with all the celebrity endorsements, drinking it can make you feel a bit more special, and you’ll be happy that you’re helping your body a little bit more by drinking blk. instead of plain tap water. Find it at your grocery store for about $2.

Neuro: You’ve probably seen these in your local drug or grocery store and if you haven’t already tried it, you need to. Neuro has a cultlike fanbase full of celebrities and peers alike, but with great tasting drinks that clock in at 35 calories a serving, its no surprise. Products range from sleep to alert to bliss, but downing the yellow daily drink is a good place to start. Neuro
Daily has a tangerine-citrus flavor and packs vitamins D and C and is designed to enhance your immune system and support your health against daily stresses, sleep deprivation and eating habits. As it grows even more popular, it can
be found in even more stores, but just check your local CVS or social Safeway for a $2.50 bottle.

These are only four options in a growing world of choices (Fresh Market sells coconut water with chia seeds in it. Who would have thought?) Remember to be smart in all your diet choices. None of the above should be substituted instead of a meal. They are only meant to help and enhance your diet and lifestyle. Keep in mind they will not affect everyone the same, but
it’s summertime which is the best time to try new ways of healthy hydration. Bottoms up! [gallery ids="101397,154103" nav="thumbs"]