The map of completed streets, as of January 1.
THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS, I THINK – January 1
Happy New Year! First of all, I want to thank everybody, including people I’ve only met briefly, for their kindness and support. And I am thankful that WMAR, FOX45, and the Baltimore Banner took an unsolicited interest in my story. (You can read the recent Banner article here: https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/culture/lifestyle/run-every-street-baltimore-YAZUNV3PE5F3HGJBC7APBBEUHE/.
I wasn’t sure where I wanted to start 2024, or month 7 of this ‘run every street’ project, so I studied my friendly road map and chose to finish up a nice sized chunk of Northwest Baltimore. It would give me a nice feeling of accomplishment for the New Year.
Now that little cluster of uphill and downhill streets, on the map above, may not look like much but, trust me, it added up to 4.46 miles of foot wear. (That’s a little less than my 5-8 mile daily average but it is a holiday.)
People often ask me how much longer will this all take? I’m not entirely sure, but I feel it would likely be some time in February. I still have some big holes in Ten Hills, Hamilton, Homeland, Remington, left to finish. All doable.
But before I forget, I failed to acknowledge two experiences that occurred last month. One was the completion of Northern Parkway, Baltimore’s least runner/pedestrian friendly fast-paced road. I give it a D- when it comes to runner safety but I completed it! (I was that large old guy running in the median at times, in case you were wondering.)
I completed that final stretch, which ended at Northern & York, on December 18 and it felt great. My first real sense of pride. And as I walked back to my car, one man called over and said, “now that’s a smile!” He was right.
The other happened just a few days ago. There was this stretch of Stockton Street, a narrow lesser-traveled N-S street in West Baltimore, that needed to be completed.
As I took on Stockton Street, just north of Pratt, I came across a makeshift religious shrine along with its own pond. So I snapped a photo which was quickly followed by an unseen voice that shouted, “Yo, what (are) you doing?” I realized I may have pushed the limit. I responded to that voice, likely coming from a vacant home, that I was interested in this shrine, that I apologized for being intrusive, and stated that I would leave right away.
Then I heard that voice respond, “nah, you’re cool.” Do you have any idea what it feels like when a voice from a West Baltimore vacant calls you ‘cool?’ Now that made me smile.
I bring up those two stories now because I don’t want to forget them. I need to remember that the exact wording was “nah, you’re cool.” Every story on this blog is somewhat selfish. I don’t want to forget any of it.
These stories also make me wonder what else is in store for me as I run (jog) this city? This project will be completed in 2024 and I will likely be forever changed whenever I think of Baltimore.
Oh, one last thing. Today’s area is often loaded with deer and I really wanted to see and snap an image of a New Year Deer. I didn’t see one. I was bummed so I just had to settle for this animal instead.
OH, COME ON!!! – January 3
I’ve been going off on how much I love my road map but it did play a mean joke on me. In order to fit my map on a piece of poster board that I purchased at Dollar ($1.25) Tree months ago, I had to tuck in the bottom. My mistake.
The picture posted above looks worse than it is but you can see the fold crease. The forgotten land.
I just assumed that the city line pretty much stopped at Curtis Bay. Never assume. I assumed that the dump and chemical plants were over the county line. Never assume.
So, voila! Surprise! I just won a free pass to run (jog) the busy industrial Hawkins Point Road. That road, known for some impressive blind spots, also takes you by such streets as Chemical Road and Concrete Road. (Asphalt Road is farther up toward Fairfield and Quarantine Road is still a ways out.)
(TIP: When you run a road and there’s little to no shoulder to speak of and a truck, or car, stays out of your way, wave! They will likely wave back and it will make you feel a little calmer.)
But Hawkins Point Road also takes you to the Curtis Creek drawbridge. That’s immediately adjacent to the I-695 Beltway drawbridge that loves to create chaos during rush hour span openings.
Yes, you do look out as a lot of rush sitting in and around water but you do get a great view of the Ship Graveyard. Obsolete ships that dated back to the late 1800s came to Curtis Creek to die. A wooden ship from World War I is still fighting its fate.
It’s my own fault for keeping that map folded for so long. I’ve gone off on how South Baltimore has every reason to feel separated from the rest of the city, and here I am keeping a large strip of land out of view. I’m a hypocrite. But I got to see the ship graveyard today!
STREET SIGNS – January 7
Since I love street names, it only makes sense that I love seeing street signs wherever I run (jog). They tell me where I am and serve as visual beacons.
Sometimes I come across a street name that just out and out makes me laugh. It’s one of the perks of being outside.
But sometimes they make me wonder. Nasco Place. What is a nasco? Who is a Nasco? These questions can serve as a pick-me-up during some longer-than-usual runs.
Since I’m wired a certain way, I came home and learned all about Marion J. Nasco. He owned a realty firm and got caught up in a controversy when he wanted to build a small shopping center but protestors knew he wanted a gas station. See? Everything has a story.
But enough with dear Marion Nasco. What about Fear Avenue, Chemical Street, Visitation Way, or Neuter Avenue?
And by the way, the image posted above, Pulask Street, is missing its last letter. Everybody in Baltimore knows the name Pulaski.
So here is a sampling of some of my favorite street names, at least up to now. I still haven’t made it to Quarantine Road.
VALENTINES DAY – January 11
Today was a big day. I saw my first Valentines Day decor. I’m not talking about in a store. Target is already on Easter. But it was the first time that I noticed a red Valentine heart on somebody’s house.
It’s not that Christmas is over. It’s just that I started this project in early July 2023. With the exception of 14 out-of-town days, I have been running Baltimore City EVERY day since. I saw slip n’ slides when this started; now I see red hearts.
I guess the big question is, will I complete this before I see an inflatable Easter bunny? I don’t know! In the meantime, Happy Valentines Day.
THE MISSING LINK – January 12
About two weeks into this project, I decided that I would not run the entire length of Perring Parkway. I’d run some of it, but not the stretch from Belvedere Avenue north to the county line.
Perring Parkway is way too fast, with no shoulder. I declared it unsafe early on and that made me mad. If knew that if I left it unattempted on my map, most people, I kid you not, would ask, “why didn’t you finish Perring Parkway?”
That’s the one thing I’ve learned. When people look at my map, they look at what hasn’t been done first, not what has been accomplished. I guess that’s how humans are naturally wired. And I’m no better. I know I’d do the same.
I went out to Perring Parkway today. Was it ideal? No. Was it safe? Not totally. Was there any grassy area that you could run on? Yes, kind of. At times. Was Perring Parkway the most dangerous strip of road I’d ever run? No! (I vote Northern Parkway or Hawkins Point Road, hands (or feet) down.)
So Perring Parkway is complete! For me, it’s a huge accomplishment. I’m alive to say I did it. But most people won’t fully understand. It’s crossed off. It no longer sticks out. It’s just another completed road. That’s OK. I know more.
YOU WANNA LEARN SOMETHING? – January 13
It’s time to impress your friends, and your foot doctor. What’s the name of that grassy area between the sidewalk and the street? I’m confident that your friends, or your foot doctor, have never really thought of it before.
Often attributed to Akron, Ohio, that area is frequently called the “Devil Strip”. It’s a no-man’s land; sometimes tidy, sometimes unkempt. It’s that neutral plot that borders city and private ownership. So I guess it only makes sense to bring in the Devil.
The only reason that I’m bringing up this piece of trivia is that I just saw the largest Devil Strip of my life today, up in Northeast Baltimore. It’s going to be pretty hard getting hit by a car on that sidewalk. But I guess the city might find a way to dig up have your yard if it wanted to. OK, it’s a Devil Strip.
I might as well alsomention that I’m not the biggest fan of sidewalk running. Sidewalk seams can act as tripping hazards and tree roots are sometimes out to kill you.
I prefer running on asphalt, just ask my toes. It’s a softer surface than concrete or brick (another tripping hazard) even though it puts you in a street. So that means you have to open your eyes, pull the ear buds out, use your best judgement and enjoy being outside and experience the city.
If nobody guessed “Devil Strip,” that’s OK. Other acceptable terms include tree lawn, curb strip, planting strip, neutral strip, tree row, utility strip, and green belt.
ABSOLUTELY – January 16
Did I run today? Absolutely. Isn’t it somewhat concerning to run in snow and ice? Absolutely. Don’t you look and feel like a fool when you run in the snow and ice? Absolutely.
But you can’t say that you’ve run almost 13-1/2 years, without missing one day, and not have to eventually deal with snow. So it shouldn’t surprise me that, on the 194th day of this all-city running project, I would find myself running (jogging) in snow.
Is running in the snow satisfying? Absolutely, but only if you can’t afford to psychologically miss one day. Or if you need to cross off some more streets on your road map.
I do have a few tips for city running in the snow. First, be careful. (Sorry, I just wanted to say that.) Second, try to stay on asphalt, if possible. Concrete and brick are not your friends. If you can, run on cleared tire tracks on one way streets. Just be sure, you are running in the right direction. That is toward the oncoming cars, so you can get out of the way.
If your city is situated in a N-E-S-W grid, stick with afternoon running on the north or east sides on streets. (In regard to sidewalks.) They tend to get the heat of the day. That means a clearer path and less of a chance for surprise ice.
I also come down a little more flat footed on crunchier surfaces. It’s a trainer’s nightmare but this is just so you can lessen a chance of a slip or fall.
Also realize that snow running is not about distance; it’s about obsession and stupidity. Other car drivers are not impressed and pleased to share snow covered roads with you. Just do a little of what you can or need to do and get the hell home.
So that’s my advice. Those above guidelines are written by an experienced moron.
Have I run in much deeper snow than today? Can you prove it? Absolutely. Here I am in 2016.
THE WILDLIFE OF BALTIMORE – January 19
Did I fail to mention that there is a goat farm on Northern Parkway? It’s right at the end of Walther Boulevard! Who knew? I didn’t. I advise you to go check it out.
I hope that you didn’t think I was just going to post pictures of rats. Yes, many rats live in Baltimore. Most cities have many rats. I want to raise the bar.
I live in Fell’s Point and no deer live in Fell’s Point, so far. I understand that some people have had their share of deer, in the city and county. I’m not one of them so when I see one up close, during a run, I stop. And we tend to stare at each other for a while. I like that.
If you are in desperate need of an emergency stray cat, I recommend Calverton Heights, just south of Edmundson Ave. There are some cute ones there.
I am quite surprised that after almost 200 days, I have come in contact with only two stray dogs. Yes, just two. I expected many more. I like that.
There are also chickens in Morrell Park and pigeons in Irvington. And there are some beautiful foxes, especially in Mount Washington. But foxes don’t like to stay still. They are hard to photograph. I got lucky yesterday in Guilford. I like that.
DOWN IN THE DUMPS – January 25
There’s a little bit of all of us out on Quarantine Road, if you live in Baltimore. Quarantine Road is located on the far south southeast spit of land that helps hold up the Key Bridge. It’s also home to the Quarantine Road landfill.
If you’ve ever used a paper plate or discarded an unrepairable piece of furniture, it’s out on Quarantine Road, and that was the heart of today’s run. (I had initially convinced myself that this was County property. It’s not.)
This area of Baltimore is all about trucks, a landfill, a gypsum plant, beaten up roads, and the neglected Fort Armistead park. It had a recent population count of 24.
I parked at the Royal Farms to begin the run. Once I opened the car door, the smell was overwhelming. I grew up in New Jersey. I’m familiar with the government Superfund cleanup program. This area stank.
I wasn’t sure if I’d get used to the smell during the run but I did. After a while I stopped smelling it. I’m not sure that’s a good or healthy thing.
Today was about fog and melted snow. It was wet and muddy but as long as you weren’t in a truck’s path, it was OK. Unless you hate trash. Everywhere.
And in case you’re wondering, Quarantine Road was the former site of a quarantine center that had dated back to the yellow fever days. It stayed active all through the 20th century immigration waves.
It’s a straight shot out to Fort Armistead from the Royal Farms. The road was mainly concrete and mud, with a rough sidewalk. It’s not heavily traveled street and you have the promise or reward of a harborfront city park, located at a military fort decommissioned in 1920.
I’m not sure what to say about the park. There is some activity in the decrepit parking lot. The cars are spaced very far apart. I didn’t stay long and the fog obliterated any view.
I’m glad I left as I later learned why cars are spaced so far apart. Older men are mostly in those cars. The way you park your car signals different things. As I said, I’m glad I left.
So now I can cross off this entire stretch of land. I will likely not come back for a run in this area. I’ll confess, I could’ve gone a little farther down Quarantine Road but I felt enough was enough. That decision was based on safety, loneliness, and the uneasy unknown. (The road’s length and accessibility is disputed on maps and apps.)
I’m not going to attack this section of the city because community has its form of Quarantine Road. The area is based on trash and my household makes trash. But it’s just exhausting and overwhelming to see and smell so much of it. Everywhere.
6 DAYS APART – January 26
Photo one: January 20, 17 degrees. Photo two: January 26, 78 degrees. This can’t be good.
MAKING AMENDS – January 28
I decided to finish up Federal Hill (I just can’t call it Fed Hill, just as I can’t call the other Fell’s) and Locust Point this morning and ended up feeling like a fraud.
I have made it clear that I am not a tech savvy person. I love maps and did quite well at Map Skills in the third grade. Nothing used to make me happier than some alone time with a Rand McNally road atlas. (I do refer to the Maps app on my phone when necessary.)
Well I should have done better. For some reason, I went to town last summer and crossed off streets I thought I’d just run or were even accessible. Boy was I wrong and I really felt terrible about it this morning.
I know that on the west side of Federal Hill, a number of those streets are closed to the public but my big mistakes were on the east side, as I confused my work on Key Highway. I was wrong.
So after feeling bad and correcting it all with my two feet, I came home and got my map and markers and opened up the Wite-Out. I wish I had Liquid Paper. It’s the original and my Wite-Out has some dog hair in it.
So, as posted above, I submit the corrected, and sloppy looking, Locust Point map. I stand by my archaic way of marking my process and though this area of South Baltimore looks like corrected hell on my beloved map, I can now live with myself.
My apologies.
ON THE ROAD (IN THE ROAD) DURING JANUARY – January 31
Michael Runs Baltimore 