17-mile Sams Ridge hike

 I took the 17-mile 4100 feet elevation gain hike along Sams Ridge-Buck Hollow-Buck Ridge- Hazel River in this 70f cool day. The berries were sour now. I felt the hike became easier after hiking one-week at much higher altitude in Colorado. Some of us went to a closeby winery afterward. I went grocery shopping then ran 3 mile to complete my weekend 20 hike/run mile training goal.

Lunch @ Chao Phra YA (Thai restaurant)

 I had lunch with a friend at a Thai restaurant near my house that is decorated with a lot of stuffed animals. We ordered drunken noodles, flounder rice, Thai tea, litchi drink, and mango rice dessert.

Week-long hiking in Rocky Mt. National Park

 https://jtrockymtnp.blogspot.com/

WOC-Hawksbill-Cedar Run

 I usually hiked the opposite direction but today WOC-Hawksbill-Cedar Run for 12 miles with 3660 feet elevation gain was bearable in cool 70f under shades most of the time. Some hikers dipped into the big water hole and Brian even water-slide 5 times into the 55f water. Our hike leader Saran kindly rewarded us cold water, apple juice, and mini cinnamon rolls at the end of hike. It was cool enough for me to run 8 miles after the hike to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Sky Meadows and Lost Mountain Loop: raspberries

 The hike of Sky Meadows and Lost Mountain Loop of 15.6 miles with 2300 feet elevation gain used to be easy but hard today in 85f. Yet a slower pace hike worked better with the temperature as well as eating the wild raspberries on the trail. I ate more than 340 raspberries today!!! However, I fell on my elbow and right leg when slipping over rocks on a tiny stream. Oh well life. My day ended on a high note by wine tasting at Barrel Oaks Winery. I have to thank Wanda for leading the hike and inviting us to the winery.

Roller Coster section of Appalachian Trail

 I organized a friend’s hike today to train for our Rocky Mt. National Park hiking trip coming in two weeks. The 70f cool and breezy weather made the 14 miles 4000 feet elevation gain hike on the Roller Coster section of Appalachian Trail easier. We saw some via hikers and families with dogs on the trail. At the end of our hike, Jihyeon kindly pampered us with icy cool watermelon cubes. What a nice day!