[Empire Orienteering Club]

Washington Park
September 26, 1999

It turned out to be one of those days you can usually only read about in stories. An urban park landscape, with a bright sun, warm when you're in it, but cool in the shade. Dew on the grass drying as the sun climbs. I got my sneakers very wet while hanging the tapes and crayons we used for controls and punches. At that point my company was mostly just dogs and their owners, running and walking along the paths, getting their exercise in before the area started filling up with more people. By the time I had finished setting up, a much larger group had begun setting up for an AIDS fund raising event, several bands of Afro-Latin musicians were tuning up in various locations, fisherman had staked out their spots around the pond, the tennis courts were filling, the playground was becoming noisy with the screeches of delighted children, the shopping cart bottle collectors were on duty, and the whole place was very much alive.

I had wondered how many of our members would venture into a territory where we unsure enough of our surroundings that we weren't even going to use regular control flags or punches for fear of their being stolen (as some had been several years before). But we had a pretty good turnout, with folks coming from the far Northeast (Candice) and the far Southwest (Verna) and many more nearby locations. We had several brand new orienteers (the Cerny and the Rosa families), along with our usual core of veterans (Bob Lange, the Trysons). Everyone seemed to adapt well to our modified rules, and enjoy being part of the multitude of activities going on around them. The fastest people could be very fast indeed in the open surroundings, and the leisurely people could enjoy all the color and panorama of a structured walk in a very interesting place.

Despite my concerns, all our streamers remained intact throughout the day, and only one crayon was actually lost, though it's string was still there (at control #10). Interestingly, three others were reported to be missing, but were there when I picked them up (thus costing the mistaken reporters penalty points). One was reported missing by three separate people, though I could see its bright yellow from many meters away. Yes, it was the only one not hung right from the same exact spot on the same branch as the flagging tape, but I never imagined being on a branch less than a foot further over would make any difference. I guess our runners really must have been pushing hard and just not able to focus very widely. I'll try to remember that if we ever use this system again.

It was such a nice day that many of the "O" folk hung around for picnicking and chatting for quite some time after completing their courses. The day's route choices, recent travel events, and some life histories were exchanged. Some interesting path crossings were noted: Sue & Janet were born in the same hospital in Schenectady; Janet and Candice went to the same school in Pennsylvania. Eric and I got in a little planning for the upcoming winter Ski-O events. The kids disappeared over to the playground for a good while. Dogs chased squirrels. People chased footballs. A great day.

 

Points

Time

   

Points

Time

Groups Green

Alan Cerny Family

250

25:30

Verna Engstrom-Heg

250

57:39

Staats Family Group 1

250

52:00

Janet Tryson

240

26:35

Staats Family Group 2

250

53:00

Sue Hawkes-Teeter

220

35:21

Staats Family Group 3

250

54:00

Candice Raines

220

59:30

O'Neill Family Group

230

58:20

Red

Rosa Family Group

200

57:25

Grant Staats

250

18:18

White

Claus Borsting

250

19:00

Rob Tryson

250

36:09

Eric Hamilton

250

25:51

Yellow

Rick Kline

250

36:40

Marty Hawkes-Teeter

250

22:14

Robert Lange

250

39:33

Orange

Kevin Matocha

220

19:33

Greg Tryson

250

28:53

 

Note: Points determine placement, with ties broken by fastest time.

last updated: --Thu May 27 2004 07:58:28 PM EDT--