ushering Reston Community Players' production of The Rocky Horror Show

 I rushed home to shower after the hike, to get ready for ushering Reston Community Players' production of The Rocky Horror Show. It was a pity that i missed Friday night’s Halloween customs contest, yet the play was pretty engaging and entertaining. 

The Rocky Horror Show is a horror, sci-fi spoof that also uses the tropes of 1950s and ’60s musicals to tell the tale of a couple, Brad and Janet, who stumble onto an old castle with a crazy party going on presided over by the diva-tastic “sweet transvestite from Transexual Transylvania,’ Dr. Frank N. Furter, and his retinue of strange and unusual servants, guests, and victims. 

Even before curtain time, sexily clad ensemble members roam the house, teasing and taunting open-minded audience members to jump-start the experience. Is that a drag queen with a two-foot-tall hairdo? Check! Savvy fans of local drag performer Anja Dick (or his alter ego, Ryan Kincade) will be pleasantly surprised. 

Before curtain time, sexily clad ensemble members roamed the house, teasing and taunting open-minded audience members to jump-start the experience. There was a drag queen with a two-foot-tall hairdo, and even ushers wore lab coats.

The production highly encouraged audience participation, especially the call-outs. The theater sold goodie bags with a few approved props to use and throw, but no toast, frankfurters, rice, confetti, or water guns. We ushers did work hard to pick up the props after the play. Lucky me to catch the last show on 11/1.

13-m hike in SNP after 2-month trip in South America

 I returned from my 2-month South American trip Friday morning, and then joined a group of friends to hike on Saturday for 13 miles with 2850 feet elevation gain in the Shenandoah National Park. The park still opens during the federal government shutdown but not financial transactions such as booking camp grounds, etc. 

The weather started at mid 40f andthen warmed up to 65f. A perfect sunny dry dsy for hiking, and a lotcof oroplr drove to the Park to seize the tail ofcthe foliage.  

We started from Big Meadow Lodge and got on the AT to the Lower Hawksbill Trail up to Hawkbill, where we enjoyed the view from the highest point in the park.  Then we went down the Upper Hawksbill trail to the Skyland and Big Meadows Horse trail until the Rose River Loop Trail. We cut short the hike because two hikers twisted their angles over slippery leaves-covered trails. 

One hiker got a piece of blackberry pie, while the rest refrained ourselves from high sugar consumption and just took some cold drinks after the hike. As to me, I even skipped the cold drinks since the air temperature turned cold again. Nice to be back and hiking in my neighborhood!

Gathland State Park

 

I hiked with two friends on the Maryland side of Appalachian Trail within Gathland State Park near Burkittsville, MD. Easy 12 miles with 1600 feet elevation gain along South Mountain to Weverton Cliffs. No bugs at all and the temperature was pleasant. My only problem was being tripped by a rock and fell one one knee

Plus my weekday 9.4 miles run, I logged in 21.4 hike/run miles this week.

KPOT Fairfax lunch before South America trip

 

I had a big feast at KPOT Fairfax for Friday lunch with two friends, right before my 70 days trip to South America. I probably won’t have much Asian food, so seized the opportunity to eat before I leave.

I will visit Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and layover Panama and El Salvador.

hike Buzzard Rock to Shawl Gap

 

I hiked Buzzard Rock to Shawl Gap for 11.2 miles with 1600 feet elevation gain in 80sf humid day. My four friends were fast to do another 4 miles with 1400 feet elevation gain, but I don’t want to drag the team so just did the short and easy sections.

These trails were as rocky as I remember but fully of yellow jackets this year which I could hear flying around me all the time. Some even flied towards my eyeglasses from time to time. I dared not to stop on the trail in the fear of being stung. Like two smart hikers I saw wearing bug head net, I will bring the one I bought in Australia for the next hike.

Plus my weekday runs of 9.5 miles, I logged in 20.7 hike/run miles this week.

Cool Springs Battlefield / Perimeter hike + surprise birthday potluck party

 

I went hiking with two friends to Cool Springs Battlefield / Perimeter hike near Bluemont for 12 miles with 1800 feet elevation gain. I realized today that part of the trail is in West Virginia.

After a guick shower, we regrouped to attend a surprise birthday potluck party at a hiker’s river house. What a sunny yet cool day paired with great company and food!

Plus my 9.8 mile weekday runs, I logged in 21.8 hike/run miles this week.