A touching dog movie "Max"

My $2 movie night started with a touching dog movie. When the brother was killed in the war, his war dog, Max, suffered from stress. Max was to be put down because he had trouble listening to anyone else, until he meets Justin. Justin adopts and saves Max. Then they went via some ventures together. My family had a dog when I was a little kid, then I had a chocolate lap for 4 months in 2000. Not sure when I will have a pet again. — watching Max (2015 film) at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse.

My difficult day hike: 30 miles with 7600 ft gain

Took the most difficult day hike in my life: total 30 miles with 7600 ft gain covered 4 nesty hills, Buck Ridge, Robertson Mountain, Corbin Mountain Cutoff, and the Pinnacle! Food list: one banana, two ibprophens, three Gu, four peanut butter sandwiches, five liters of water. I found carpool on Friday, decided to camp out at the last minute, walked in the dark with my headlamp and reading glasses, and set up my brand new big agnes fly creek 1 tfly tent in 10 minutes! I am tired but proud of myself, and grateful for supportive hiking pals as well as perfect weather. — at Shenandoah National Park.

Two Real Estate social events in one night

Attended an open bar happy hour hosted by a Falls Church real estate agent, made several local friends, and shared some travel stories. The fish tacos tasted really good. — at Clare and Don's Beach Shack.         Attended a Real Estate "Happy Hour" at Matchbox in Merrifield. — at Matchbox.

My 1st Metric Bike Ride

Ate a big healthy lunch after my metric bike ride (67.4 m at 13 mph). Woke up 5:15 am to start at 6:30 am. My touring bike is heavy so I was passed by at least 200 road bikes. Switched from century ride of 103.5 (5300ft gain) to metric ride of 67.4 m (3100 ft gain) after the persuasion of two senior citizens, and made a few new friends including one wearing the Old Fart shirt! Had a fun ride! — in Reston, Virginia.

Lecture at REI Tysons on Hiking the Appalachian Trail - Trip Planning

Attended a lecture at REI Tysons on Hiking the Appalachian Trail - Trip Planning. Here are my notes: $3000 via hike, Travel notice to credit card company, Use library computer, prepare for tax day (via hike starting feb. or march), What mails your helper to open for you, via hike taking 142 days or 4.7 months, Satellite phone enrich: 911, text messages, wildness areas prohibit mt bikes, Several pairs of hiking boots, Yoga for balance yourself with pack, bear spray will attract bears after 30 minutes, get out right away, there are new guide book and app.

100 miles bike ride at 11.5 mph

Took a day off to finish my private century ride on W&OD trail at 11.5 mph, after a water bottle drinking practice crash and a wonderful tune up by the head mechanic. The crash was nesty and I got quite a few bruises and open worms, but I was determined to seize this 80f overcast day. The head mechanic felt sorry for my crash and unnecessary chain replacement by his apprentice last week, he cleaned and put back my old chain, adjusted whatever to ride smoothly, gave me a full refund, and even test rode my bike in the parking lot. Felt like a VIP! I will use canal pack for the race on Sunday and took as many breaks as I like since I rode 100 miles in one day already! — at Bicycle Outfitters.

Hiked 11 hrs to cover 32 miles

Hiked 11 hrs to cover 32 miles with 4400 ft gain along Bull Run trail out and back between mile post 1 and post 16. My legs were crying at the last two miles —  at Bull Run Regional Park.   Enjoyed a giant bowl of Korean seafood noodles after a 32 miles long hike — at Danji.

REI lecture: Adventure Travel and Photography in Iceland

Attended a lecture on Adventure Travel and Photography in Iceland. It is a cool place full of family churches (used to avoid tax), wifi signals, 35 lb heavy bicycles, waterfalls, geo thermal, sheep, northern lights (only seen in winder due to endless sunlight in summer), and ice, no bugs, but no public transportation and only one main road, the Ring Road. You can wait for $193 round trip tickets out and back from DC, but hostel at $60 per night and food is expensive. I will consider visiting via a ferry from Denmark with my own food and a folding bike — at REI Tysons.

Office Outting: wineries & restaurant

Office summer outing 1st winery with a ghost 1830 house and beautiful landscape. The vineyard is on the 250-acre family farm. The Hatch family has farmed in Loudoun for 64 years and three generations. — at Zephaniah Farm Vineyard.         Office outing lunch at well sought out restaurant. A “unique location” inside a circa‑1888 Romanesque Revival bank with soaring ceilings, Venetian chandeliers and “historic ambiance” galore in Downtown Leesburg. Everything was great. — at Lightfoot Restaurant.     Hit the 2nd winery of my office outing which also carries high end furniture. We tasted 5 kinds of wines paired with 5 kinds of snacks. The property was gorgeous. — at Stone Tower Winery.   Walking 2 miles in between two Wineries to get back to my car while my office party van heading directly back to Alexandria — at Loudoun Country Day School.