Adventuring and Self-Flagellation at Delta Quarry

Sorry for not being more diligent about posting; I've been busy having lots of adventures lately! I will try to post about them respectively, starting with the most recent first. Yesterday, I went with Gimp and Old Man up to Whiteford, a small town in Harford County, MD. Once a favourite swimming-hole spot of Old Man's, he hadn't been up there in at least ten years; it was a little hard to find the spot. According to Old Man, there are several disused quarries up there (at least 6), the most elusive of these having an 80 foot cliff jump and boasting the nickname "Balls" (since you need 'em to jump off of it). Sadly, we couldn't find Balls with both hands and a map.

More after the jump.




We did however find an excellent spot regardless. This place was awesome. The water was so deep that I couldn't feel the bottom when I dived down, and clear enough to see fish at least 15 feet down. There was a pier with a diving board on a 10 foot high platform, a canoe (that wasn't secured or anything... but we still didn't feel right taking it out for a spin), a volley ball net, a plethora of picnic tables, a slide that dumps out into the water (but there was a yellow jacket nest on the top of the slide) and the pièces de résistance; a dirt hill leading to a wooden ramp that will shoot a biker out over the water. I was itching to try out that ramp, and Old Man found a bike that had life preservers strapped all over it. Using our incredible powers of deduction, we determined that this bike was purpose-fitted for using the ramp. The only problem (well not the only problem; the bike also didn't have brakes): the bike was a kid's BMX bike, and I am 6'6". I looked quite comical perched at the top of the hill on this tiny bike, trying to work up the chutzpah to take the plunge. I finally mustered my moxy, but lost control and ended up eating slate.Watch the hilarity!







So at any rate; this spot is a lot of fun, and I will definitely be coming back (with my big boy bike!) to best that ramp at some point this summer. To get to the Delta Quarry, take Bel Air Rd. north up to Harford County and take a left onto MD Route 152 (west). After about 15-20 minutes, take a right onto MD Route 165, then a right onto MD Route 136 Whiteford Road. Park at the pharmacy on your right, then cross over the street and walk up about five minutes. There will be a road to your left with a gate and lots of "No Trespassing" signs. Ignore these. Then, just follow the path a short way to the water.

The dastardly ramp.

The slide. Watch out for bees!