A Good'ol Scary Time

Last night I went to Markoff's Haunted Forest...out in BFE Maryland. Ok, it wasn't that far out, but it was in Darnestown. Let me tell you (which I do all the time since I'm writing in a blog for you to read) the forest was very scary. Try as you might to see people in the shadows ahead, but you won't see them all and you will be scared. My friends and I had a perfect plan to enjoy things. We made sure not to get too close to the group in front, or else we'd see where people would jump out ahead and ruin any surprises. If you have to stop moving just to give yourself space in front so surprises aren't ruined like we did, you might feel bad, but it's worth it. There were a few times when you could tell what would happen, but the trail is so detailed and well done that we were spooked about 90% of the time.

What also made it great was the trail wasn't just about people jumping from the shadows, but some great area kids doing some acting and really playing their parts well. We didn't care for the pitch black little house to walk through, but everything else was great. After paying your $20, you have to wait until your group's number is called. We waited about an hour and 15 minutes, but you can sit around one of three bonfires (watch for that smoke when you're downwind), or watch some headless horsemen trot through the crowds, go on a haunted hayride, etc.

Another thing to be aware of is the bumpy ride along the driveway to the parking lot. I think my car bottomed out once, but doesn't seem to be worse for wear. As long as you watch out for deer and properly use your highbeams, the last 15 miles of the drive aren't too bad. The 20-minute trail was perfectly laid out except for one slippery step in the beginning. Though we were worried the moon would light the forest too much, it was no problem. I think the forest is run every weekend and it's really worth the drive. Without ruining some of the situations on the trail, you will be impressed with its complexity, and there's nothing wrong with admitting you were scared on the trail.