August Court Days & Hawksbill Peak

Sunday was so hot that only four people showed up for the hike. We discussed then decided to switch to hike in the Shenandoah National Park, which should be higher and cooler. We were lucky. Not only it was only about 80°F and felt like in the fall, but also sparing from a speeding ticket.

On the way to the Park, we were stopped by the police (70 m/h on 55m/h limit road). I asked everyone smiled and appeared innocent when he took our driver’s license. He came back 5-7 minutes and told us that many people took the route to the Park and we should drove within the speed limit. No ticket!!! We were overjoyed. Maybe because he saw three Asian female hikers with very friend smile and tight hiking outfit?

We hikes to Hawksbill Peak - highest in the park, mostly on AT about 8-9 miles in total.

I attended the 29th Annual August Court Days on Saturday at downtown Leesburg with Colonial reenactors, mock trials, Colonial militia, frontiersmen, and country/folk music.

The mock trials (based on the actual historical trials on record) were conducted indoors in a church. http://www.preserveloudoun.org/augustcourtdays/index.htm


Then I visited Oatlands Plantation , a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, located six miles south of Leesburg. The Oatlands Art Show was located in the historic Carriage House on the property. http://www.oatlands.org/ The property appears to be related to Ms. Carriage, a rich lady who inherited the fortune form her father and involved in the historic mock trials I saw in downtown Leesburg.

Hazel Mountain & American Indian Powwow

On Saturday, I took an 8 mile moderate/strenuous (1600 ft elevation increase) circuit hike in 90oF in Hazel Mountain with several steep ascents and descents, and several water crossings, along the Sam's Ridge and White Rocks trails in SNP. The hike features good views, a waterfall, a visit to a small cave, and a swimming hole. There were so many butterflies and spider webs.

On the way back, stopping by the Sunnyside Farms Square, an elegant shop in Washington, VA, for ice cream. http://www.sunnysidefarms.com/organic/stores.htm

On Sunday, I visited the National Museum of the American Indian which sponsored a National Powwow at the MCI Center. I enjoyed the exhibits, dance performance by Kanata Native Dance Theatre group visiting form NY, and even joined the group to do “duck dance” on the stage. http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=dc&second=visitor&third=powwow

Kennedy Peak & Fairfax County 4-H Farm Fair

On Sunday, I took the fastest hike in my life: Kennedy Peak 9 moderate to strenuous mile circuit hike with 1100' elevation change in 3.5 hrs. The hike started near Camp Roosevelt on the Stephens Trail and then proceeded to Kennedy Peak and returned on the Massanutten Trail, and the hike leader were flying.





On the way back home, I stopped by the Fairfax County 4-H Fair, to check out farm animal displays, goat milking, horse, livestock and pet shows; food; children's rides; games and entertainment; and crafts at the Frying Pan Park, Herndon. 4hfairfax.org. When I got home, I decided to mow my yard of 1/4 acre and I did. What a busy day!





On Sat., I enjoyed reading a book titled “What should I do with my life?” by Po Bronson. I invite you to explore and re-define your life via these true stories of others. Check the link and get one copy.
"Nothing seemed more brave to me than facing up to one's own identity, and filtering out the chatter that tells us to be someone we're not."
http://www.pobronson.com/index_what_should_I_do_with_my_life.htm

Asian Festival & Shenandoah River State Park

Sunday, I took a moderate 10 mile hike with about 1000 feet of elevation gain with rocky overlooks in the Shenandoah River State Park. http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/andygues.htm





On Sat. Biked 8 miles one-way to the Asian Festival in Reston which promoted a greater understanding of the Asian culture from Thailand, China, India, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Burma, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore and Malaysia. Enjoyed wonderful performances of Japanese Daiko, Chinese lion dance, Krung Fu, Thai dance, etc. and smells of different cuisines (but I did not taste too much to avoid becoming too stuffed to bike back home). I played the spinning wheel and won a T-shirt form the Vitamin drink company (at a probability of 5%). I took some photos of the water lily in the pond on the trail near Reston.
http://www.asianfestivaldc.com/index.php?section=schedule