Forest Hills Connection || News and Life in Our DC Neighborhood

Covering Forest Hills, Van Ness, North Cleveland Park and Wakefield

  • About Us
    • About Forest Hills Connection
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Donate & Subscribe
  • Classifieds
  • News
    • ANC 3F
    • Business
      • Business in Brief
      • Out to Eat
      • Shop & Eat Local
    • Getting Around
    • Main Street
    • Neighborhood in the News
    • Opinion
    • Parks and Streams
    • Real Estate
    • UDC
  • Style
    • Food
    • History
    • Meet the Neighbors
    • Neighbors Recommend
    • Services
    • Things To Do
  • Home Front
    • High-Rise Life
    • In the Garden
    • In the Kitchen
  • Backyard Nature
    • Local Wildlife
    • Wildlife Photos
  • Kids & Pets
    • At School
    • At Play
    • Kids Write
    • Pets
  • Calendar

Solving the mystery of the chalk and powder markings around the neighborhood

August 29, 2014 by FHC

by Marlene Berlin

Many stories begin with “Once upon a time…” Mine always seem to start with my morning walk. So, this should sound familiar to you by now.

Last Friday, as I was to begin my morning walk into Soapstone Creek, I saw it – a small pile of lavendar-colored powder right in front of our house on our sidewalk.

Advertisement

flour pile

I’d seen it before, though not this spring or summer. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but then I noticed the marks through Soapstone Creek trail. That’s when I realized what they were for.

Last year at this time, Pat Davies enlightened us about the Hash House Harriers, an international runners’ group that marks its routes with chalk and flour. They also end each run with adult beverages. (Editor’s note: Hashers were once described to me as runners who like to drink and drinkers who either like to run, or will at least tolerate the running for the beer at the end.)

After my walk, I noticed more markings up and down our street as I watered the newly planted street trees in front of my home (we have not had enough rain for our trees this week, so please water).

flour x

This lavendar flour pile attracted this slug's attention.

This lavendar-colored flour pile attracted a slug’s attention.

The markings must have been fresh. I did not seen any marks the day before, when I took a new friend (she has forgiven me) through what’s become an obstacle course due to the many downed trees along the trail. My friend was determined to get to Broad Branch Road, and even crawled under one of the tree trunks while I waded into the middle of the stream to hurdle over it to get to the next crossing. To our great surprise, we encountered a fellow who had managed to get himself and his bike through the trail. We were very impressed. He was trying to get to his daughter’s place in Petworth and had mistakenly thought this a bike path. Nope – this is a path for hikers… and Hash House Harriers.

Does anyone know who is in this group? Or have a photo to share?

Forest Hills Connection is produced by volunteers, and supported by you. We appreciate your support – financial and otherwise. Here’s how to donate.

Filed Under: Archive Spotlight, News, Style

Comments

  1. Ken Terzian says

    August 30, 2014 at 6:21 pm

    Hashing is quite popular, many groups in the area do it, don’t know which group came through this time. It’s a lot of fun, with some variance in the culture of the groups (some open, some invitation only), yet common is the beer and ritual including chalk, flour, and similar trail markings left by the hare who sets the trail to follow (with trickery I might add to throw off the hounds). You might describe hashers as beer drinkers with a running habit.

  2. Caroline Nugent says

    September 3, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    Wow, sounds like a real mystery. This is the kind of thing you see in books and things. I wonder what attracted that slug….

  3. BMatt says

    September 7, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    Almost surely these folks: http://www.ewh3.com/2014/08/25/4324/

About Forest Hills Connection

  • Who we are
  • How to advertise
  • How to donate
  • How to submit a story idea
  • Contact us
Tweets by foresthillsnews

Subscribe to Our Blog

Receive an email alert whenever we publish a new article.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Arrives in your inbox around mid-month.


Newsletter Archive         

Connect With Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on RSS

Local Links

  • Schools, Services and More
  • Restaurants

Latest Comments

  • Pat Kasdan on Murch “Blue and Gold” EXCLUSIVE: Teachers share their embarrassing grade school moments
  • Green Eyeshades on DDOT to present Connecticut Ave. bike lane concepts at June 28 and 29 public meetings
  • Christine on Hearst Pool, DPR’s first outdoor swimming pool in Ward 3, is open
  • Jack Koczela on School updates: Signs of change at Jackson-Reed High include changing the signs
  • Barbara Alk Berman on School updates: Signs of change at Jackson-Reed High include changing the signs

Archives

About Forest Hills Connection | FHC + VNMS | Who We Are | Contributors
Submissions Policy | Contact | Advertise | Donate
© Forest Hills Connection | Site by: VanStudios
 

Loading Comments...