16 miles AT hike: Pass Mountain-Rocky Branch-Neighbor Mountain

 

I hiked with several friends in the Shenandoah National Park for 16 miles with 3300 feet elevation gain along Appalachian Trail-Pass Mountain-Rocky Branch-Neighbor Mountain. The weather was cool and sunny, and a lot of flowers are blooming.

Unfortunately, one hiker was injured on a slippery rock and bailed out of the hike. We grouped later to stop at a winery after the hike, then one hiker accompanied the injured hiker to a clinic in town. He is fine but it takes time to recover.

I ran 4 miles after got home to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

birthday lunch at PF Chang Tysons

 My friend’s father birthday lunch at PF Chang Tysons. The dishes were too Americanized for me, especially the spicy tofu 麻婆豆腐 was simply unrecognizable.

12-mike hike: Cedar Run, Hawksbill, White Oak Canyon

 

I did this 12-mile 3300-ft elevation gain hike in 40-50f via Cedar Run, Hawksbill, White Oak Canyon in the Shenandoah National Park with a meetup group today. It was moved to Sunday to avoid Saturday wind and rain. We had three dogs on the hike.

I ran 8 miles after hike to meet my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

“Taming of the Shrew” Synetic Theater

 I ushered at the Synetic Theater tonight for a 15-min pre-teen version of “Legend of a Mother Bird” and a 90-min teen version of “Taming of the Shrew”. The 1st play is hard to feature out the full story, while the 2nd play was very impressive as delivered by these teens.

Reston Founder’s day

 

I skipped a friend’s hike for the rain forecast, yet the rain came in the afternoon in the middle of my run. I ran 4 miles on Friday, 8.5 miles on Saturday, and finished the rest of the 20 miles weekend goal on Sunday.

Then I met up with my college classmate at IAD Marriott for breakfast, showed her around Reston, had Japanese lunch, and then dropped her back to IAD on Sunday, during her transfer via IAD.

I specifically ran to northern Reston for Reston Founder’s day celebration. Reston was founded in 1964 by Robert E. Simon Jr. (whose statute I photoed with), to be a kind of urban utopia—a place with swimming pools, community centers, and tennis courts in every neighborhood and no restrictions based on race. Now Reston enjoys a strong economy based on high technology and information.

DC litigation funding conference

 I went in DC for a litigation funding conference, and a dinner afterwards. The litigation finance industry has been growing over the past several years, using investors’ money for big payouts, yet at a cost of blocking settlement offers.

Catoctin, Cunningham Loop in Maryland : 17.5 miles

 

I hiked with a meetup group today along the Catoctin, Cunningham Loop in Maryland for 17.5 miles with 3760 feet elevation gain in 40-50f. We saw a big fat groundhog on the trail.

Then my carpool stopped by the Point of Rock to test his new running shoes for the coming 100 km race on the C&O Canal.

After grocery shopping, I ran 2.5 miles in my neighborhood to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal. I am so ready for a good night sleep.

friend's hike in the Sky Meadows State Park

 

I hiked with a few friends in the Sky Meadows State Park, and warned by the ranger about 60 mph wind on the ridge. So we started from the flatter Lost Mountain side in rain and 50f. By the time we got on near the Appalachian Train, the weather turned sunny in 75f. We hiked 15 miles with 2450 feet elevation gain.

We stopped by a winery after hike, and I ran 5 miles in my neighborhood to meet my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.