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.

hike Little Devil Stairs trail (Long Version)

 

I enjoyed a meetup hike on Saturday on Little Devil Stairs trail (Long Version) in fall-like weather (sunny and cool) for 13.5 miles with 3000 feet elevation gain. There were many mushrooms on the trails after Friday rain, especially Chanterelle which is more tender and tastsy than checken in the wood. Unfortunately, we somehow disturbed yellow jackets on the trail, so four us got stung. I got one sting.

Plus my 9.56 miles weekday runs, I logged in 23 hike/run miles this week.

Dickey Ridge trail + Client Appreciation Picnic Party

 

I went hiking with two friends on Dickey Ridge trail for 12 miles with 2200 feet elevation gain. We started 7 am to finish up hill before the heat hit. It was 80sf (27+c) in the Shenandoah National park while 90sf (32+c) in the City.

I went grocery shopping then swung by a Client Appreciation Picnic Party hosted by a realtor, to my surprise, turned out to be a Chinese food feast (including beef ribs, salt & pepper calamari, lemon grass chicken, seafood garlic noodle, Saigon chicken wing, caramel pudding, cakes, mango juice, combination fruits, etc.). I will skip dinner tonight.

Plus my weekday run 9.6 miles, I logged in 21.6 miles this week.