I
hiked with a few friends in the Shenandoah National Park to Compton
Peak - Lands Run - Nickerson Hollow for 12 miles with 2782 feet
elevation gain on a sunny, dry yet freezing cold day (starting from 17f
then rising to 39 f). Thanks for Tam’s delicious banana bread treats at
the end of the hike (which gave me energy to run 9 miles after the hike
but before the coming 2-day snow forecast).
I
hiked with friends in the Shenandoah National Park for 11 miles with
3300 feet elevation gain via Cedar Run - Hawksbill Peak - White Oak
Canyon Loop. It was cold (20s F) in the early morning and Cedar Run
trail had some icy spot. Then there was snow on the trail up Hawksbill
Peak, so I wore spikes to go down the trail. On the other hand, White
Oak Canyon trail was dry and safe.
I
hiked with a meetup group from Panorama-Marys Rock-Leading Ridge - Buck
Hollow Hiked for 14.5 miles with 4700 feet elevation gain in SNP today.
Leading Ridge Trail is steepest trail in the Shenandoah National Park
(more challenging than Robertson Mountain). I hiked it up before, but
downhill for the first time (which was pretty scary for me). We expected
a little rain but turned into a blizzard, so some of us skipped the
last uphill stretch and walk skyline down. It was a pity that I did not
hike >1 mile vertical as planned, but I am glad to avoid the last
snowy/slippery section. The sea of clouds was beautiful!
I
had 18.4-mile 3450 feet elevation gain hike on the Appalachian Trail
between Manassas Gap and Sky Meadows out and back on this cool 20-30f
and sunny day. Five of us went wine tasting after hike @ Barrel Oak
Winery. Thanks to dear Wanda’s
membership so we got to taste 4 wines for free outdoors and next to a
fire pit. I made it home, had a quick dinner, and ready for bed. What a
fun day!
I
hiked with 7 friends in the Shenandoah National Park for 13.8 miles
with 4100 feet elevation gain. In particular, we did the most difficult
trail in the Park twice: Robertson Mt. Trail 1700 feet elevation gain in
1.7 miles. We were worried about high water levels for stream
crossings which turned out to be manageable with help from taller
hikers.
Not
the best way to start a new year, but it was rainy so I met a friend
for classy sushi lunch buffet @ Sushi On Restaurant within the Fair Oaks
Mall. I ate seafood salad, sushi, maki, nigari, sashimi, sauteed beef,
chicken, shrimp, soup to order with your chosen ingredients, etc. I like
their bite-size desserts including tiramisu, green tea cake, tofu
cheesecake, flan, etc. paired perfectly with gourmet single cup decaf
latte. I wonder how I could miss this restaurant after I lived in DC
over 20 years. Oh, well, I will work out hard to burn off the food I
ate.
