Walmart Labs in Reston

My 2-hrs were well spent at Walmart Labs in Reston on App development process, robots in Walmart stores, and application of Electrode Native. One of the speakers turned her talk into an informative standup comedy. It is simply too expensive to put $30k per piece arm on the scan robots. BTW, Walmart associates pick up your online order prior to your arrival for you to grab and go.

Yellowjacket sting at hike

Lucky, lucky, lucky to hike in such fall-like weather for 15.5 miles with 3800 feet elevation along Overall Run and Heiskell Hollow Trails in Shenandoah National Park with my hiker friends. There were many butterflies and yellow jackets, and I got one Yellowjacket sting. I will make my own citronella oil spray for next hike.

Hot and humid hike to Big Schloss

It was a hot and humid 12 m 2200 ft elevation gain hike to Big Schloss. I slowed down quite a bit for the heat and tried to catch with our new hike leader Andrea @ 3 mph pace. We had some cookies, banana bread, and cold drinks to celebrate Wanda’s birthday. I sweated so much and drank a lot of fluids during and after the hike. As to Big Schloss, it was as beautiful as before, and took 1:45 to get to the trail head. We shared the trails with several mountain bikers.

Office outting @ National Harbor

I attended my office summer outing today at Top golf National Harbor and MGM Casino. I did ok in the driving range, but won $29 from the Casino. A bit hot and humid in the earlier afternoon, but cocktails and food were good.

Tri-State hike + 11yr-old YouTuber

I had a 15-m 4000 ft elevation gain fun hike Tri-State Harpers Ferry - Loudoun/Maryland Heights. While waiting for my carpool mates soaking in the Potomac River after the hike, I chatted with an old couple riding the super-line train from Harpers Ferry to Chicago, and an outgoing 11yr-old YouTuber specializing in train stations. Please google “Railfan JK” to support his passion (he needs to improve video shooting and acting skills though).

Cardboard Boat Regatta in Reston

After a 22-m bike ride, I volunteered for Nova Labs at the Cardboard Boat Regatta over Lake Anne in Reston in the afternoon. Nova Labs is a non-profit workshop with all kinds of machinery and tools for hands-on projects. There were about 50 cardboard boats signed up this year, and Nova Labs had two boats racing. I saw at least three boats sunk, quite a guilty pleasure!

Stonyman hike

I was woken up three times by my drunk and noisy neighbors last night, so I was very sleepy on the trail most of the time, yet finished hiking 15.5 miles with 3300 feet elevation gains on this pleasant (75-80f) clear day, Meadow Spring Trail to Appalachian Trails then Skyland and Back. We discovered a hobbit house along AT.

healthcare hackathon reception

I went in DC for a healthcare hackathon reception @ Samsung Solution Center. Nowadays hackathon go beyond software development, and focus more on brainstorming for new solutions and breakthrough.