Campfire

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Take a night off from TV and experience crisp Baltimore air like never before. In a densely packed and populated city, it's easy to forget about the greener side of the state. It's even easier to forget how close to home it is. Wildlife and nature are, quite literally, right in Baltimore's backyard. The Gwynns Falls Trail stretches 15 miles to connect more than 30 neighborhoods in the Baltimore area. The trail consists of more than 1,200 acres, about 900 of which are forested. The trail association provides open access to bikers, hikers and joggers, as well as organized ways to take in the scenery, such as Campfire Hikes.

The natural-gas campfire that burned on Billy and Linda Krone's deck that night had its beginnings at a trade show a couple of years ago. Billy Krone saw it on display and was determined to figure out how to install one, even though they weren't available through retailers at the time. "It wasn't anything more than a kit. A round, metal base, a bag of gravel, and four ceramic logs," Billy said. "It is really nothing more than a gas grill, except that the burner has bigger holes." Upon returning home, Krone found a plumbing and heating supplier that was able to order the kit for him for about $400 from Kingsman Fireplaces (www.

We arrived in San Diego late Saturday evening, Oct. 20. The next morning, we were able to get to Mission Beach for a quick swim in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy a short trip up the highway to La Jolla, Calif., where we noted a strange odor, like a big campfire. The ride back to our resort in Escondido, Calif., was a smoke-filled adventure until we were about 10 miles from our destination and the skies returned to being blue and beautiful. We were advised the following day to stay in the resort, where all was safe with clean air and plenty to do. But Tuesday morning at 6:30, there was a pounding at our door.

Less than a week before her childhood years were to pass forever into her memory, Tracey Ann "Cat" Carter figured she had a little time to catch up on her sewing.So she spent one of her last study hall periods at Francis Scott Key High School meticulously tacking various Girl Scout merit patches onto a blue vest."I joined [Girl Scouts] when I was in the first grade. I just heard an announcement over the loud speaker at school that said there was a meeting," said Ms. Carter, who graduated Saturday from Key. "I don't know how I got interested.

Back to natureGather 'round the campfire at Rocks State Park tomorrow night and hear tales and truths about the mystery of bees. Each Friday through the summer, the park offers "Summer Campfire Programs" with lessons, learning and fun. Tomorrow's program presents professional beekeeper Jim Zinch showing bees and discussing the process of beekeeping and how bees make honey. The program is followed by marshmallow-roasting around the campfire.The campfire program begins at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Rock Ridge Amphitheater at Rocks State Park, off Route 24 at St. Clair Bridge Road in Jarrettsville.

POLICE LOG* Long Reach: 6100 block of Campfire: Someone broke a basement window and took jewelry, a compact disc player and videocassette recorder Nov. 19, police said.* Oakland Mills: 6100 block of Encounter Row: More than $2,600 in music equipment was stolen from a 1992 Mitsubishi Wednesday.

Piney Run Nature Center is offering two programs this month, gardening for adults and an evening outing for the family.Planning a Perennial Garden, for those ages 16 and up, will be at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. Garden enthusiast Maureen Rice will offer tips on planning and planting a perennial garden. The program is free.The family night hike and campfire will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. After hiking around the park, hot chocolate and marshmallows will be served by the campfire. Bring one flashlight per family and your own mugs.

Nature tales The lowdown -- Looking for fun that will keep you and your child occupied? The Nature Story Hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at Cylburn Arboretum Association features an hourlong story time, and a nature walk follows, weather permitting. If you go -- The Nature Story Hour will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at the Cylburn Arboretum Association, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Children ages 3-6 are $1, and adults are free. Call 410-396-7839 for more information. Santa on skates The lowdown -- Enjoy hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows after getting a workout on the ice with Santa.

Take a night off from TV and experience crisp Baltimore air like never before. In a densely packed and populated city, it's easy to forget about the greener side of the state. It's even easier to forget how close to home it is. Wildlife and nature are, quite literally, right in Baltimore's backyard. The Gwynns Falls Trail stretches 15 miles to connect more than 30 neighborhoods in the Baltimore area. The trail consists of more than 1,200 acres, about 900 of which are forested. The trail association provides open access to bikers, hikers and joggers, as well as organized ways to take in the scenery, such as Campfire Hikes.

Depending upon where you travel in the Sunshine State, you find different aspects of Florida. Let's hopscotch the state and look at offerings from various parts: Everyone, it seems, has a favorite beach area for coastal Florida. Among the most popular, certainly, are the beaches of Sanibel/Fort Myers. West Wind, a casual Gulf-front resort in Sanibel, is featuring through Dec. 20 a three-night Sunlovers' Special that includes a guest room with refrigerator for $423 or a kitchenette for $483.

Dear Mr. President, It's too bad The Art of War wasn't on your summer reading list. If you'd read it, maybe we wouldn't be mired in Iraq. According to the author, Sun Tzu, esteemed for thousands of years as the Sage of Warfare, you're doing it all wrong. Exactly what military principles you've broken - and how many - I learned by chance. On the first day of classes at Washington College, the title on a shelf of paperbacks caught my eye. I opened at random and found this on Page 10: "In war, better take a state intact than destroy it."

Nature tales The lowdown -- Looking for fun that will keep you and your child occupied? The Nature Story Hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at Cylburn Arboretum Association features an hourlong story time, and a nature walk follows, weather permitting. If you go -- The Nature Story Hour will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. today at the Cylburn Arboretum Association, 4915 Greenspring Ave. Children ages 3-6 are $1, and adults are free. Call 410-396-7839 for more information. Santa on skates The lowdown -- Enjoy hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows after getting a workout on the ice with Santa.

Ronnie Turner, 14, remembers the prank he pulled as a 10-year-old on his father, Michael. One night while camping at Susquehanna State Park near Havre de Grace, the Norfolk, Va., boy drifted off to sleep as his father wove a traditional spooky bedtime story. Just before dawn, Ronnie stuffed his sleeping bag, making it appear that he was still in it. He sneaked out of the tent and stretched fake spider web he had saved from Halloween across the tent's entrance. "I've watched a lot of camping movies and shows, and I know lots of good tricks, and I wanted to get my dad for scaring me," Ronnie said.

Herbal effects It's all about herbs at the Baltimore Herb Festival at Leakin Park Saturday. From herbal teas and breads to herbal plants and remedies, you'll find more than 60 vendors selling herbal items, as well as other plants, aromatherapy products, pottery, crafts and more at the 17th annual festival. There'll be lectures on herbs, demonstrations with herbs and samplings of herbal foods. Visitors can learn about cooking with herbs and take wild-herb woodland walks. There'll also be live music and train rides.

The natural-gas campfire that burned on Billy and Linda Krone's deck that night had its beginnings at a trade show a couple of years ago. Billy Krone saw it on display and was determined to figure out how to install one, even though they weren't available through retailers at the time. "It wasn't anything more than a kit. A round, metal base, a bag of gravel, and four ceramic logs," Billy said. "It is really nothing more than a gas grill, except that the burner has bigger holes." Upon returning home, Krone found a plumbing and heating supplier that was able to order the kit for him for about $400 from Kingsman Fireplaces (www.

Herbal effects It's all about herbs at the Baltimore Herb Festival at Leakin Park Saturday. From herbal teas and breads to herbal plants and remedies, you'll find more than 60 vendors selling herbal items, as well as other plants, aromatherapy products, pottery, crafts and more at the 17th annual festival. There'll be lectures on herbs, demonstrations with herbs and samplings of herbal foods. Visitors can learn about cooking with herbs and take wild-herb woodland walks. There'll also be live music and train rides.

Kathy Ponger will use sign language for bedtime stories about bugs, "Snug as a Bug: A Signed Program," from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 17 at the Savage branch library, 9525 Durness Lane. The program is designed for families, hearing and hearing-impaired, including children ages 3 and older. Registration is required and begins July 10. Information or registration: 410- 880-5978. Butterfly workshop for kids planned at Patuxent refuge The Patuxent Research Refuge will offer "Butterflies: Nature's Festival of Colors," a free workshop for children ages 8 and older with an adult, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday at the North Tract, on Route 198 between Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 32, near Laurel.

Kathy Ponger will use sign language for bedtime stories about bugs, "Snug as a Bug: A Signed Program," from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 17 at the Savage branch library, 9525 Durness Lane. The program is designed for families, hearing and hearing-impaired, including children ages 3 and older. Registration is required and begins July 10. Information or registration: 410- 880-5978. Butterfly workshop for kids planned at Patuxent refuge The Patuxent Research Refuge will offer "Butterflies: Nature's Festival of Colors," a free workshop for children ages 8 and older with an adult, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday at the North Tract, on Route 198 between Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 32, near Laurel.