Sunday, December 29, 2024

Too Good To Good surplus/leftover food marketplace



 

I skipped Saturday rainy and slippery hike, and ran 6 miles on Saturday and 6 miles on Sunday, plus the surplus miles from last Tuesday 18-miles hike to meet my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.
I did my 2nd purchase via Too Good To Good. Too Good To Go app is the world's largest surplus/leftover food marketplace, and covers Europe and North America. KSB Cafe of New York (Bobby's Bagel Cafe) - Herndon gave me a dozen fresh bagels ($18), one peach cream cheese ($5) and one Christmas tree cookie for my $6 purchase.
This was a much better deal than the whole food surprise meal bag of three turkey wraps and a box of green beans for my $10 purchase last time.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

18.5 miles Christmas hike





 

I hiked in the Prince William National Forest with a group along North Valley and South Valley Trails for 18.5 miles with about 1700 feet of elevation (in light rain and 30sf). There were some interesting views but my hands were too cold to take photos. More importantly, the group moved fast so there wasn’t time to take photos anyway : (
Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Compton Peak hike





 

I felt like my fingers were falling off when hiking this Saturday in 30 f with wind @ Front Royal to Compton Peak with a meetup group for 14 miles and 3000 feet elevation gain. I was eating lunch while the group going down to the rock formation. While I was waiting, I had to walk back and forth to keep my fingers and toes warm. It was so cold that not many photos were taken. Since it was so cold, we hiked fast and finished up early.
I will take a long hike next Tuesday to make up my weekend mikes, since I had to go to a party Saturday night and Sunday is freezing cold in 20s f.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

1st Stage @ Tysons holiday party












 

I attended 1st Stage @ Tysons holiday party to enjoy the food and conversations with theater sponsors, staff, and other volunteers (after my 14-mile hike in the cold).
Then I ushered for the 90-min comedy LAUGHS IN SPANISH.

Friday, December 20, 2024

K-Pot Fairfax








 I met a friend @ K-Pot Fairfax to have hot pot lunch as my Christmas feast, since I haven’t found a host family for this Christmas. I chose healthy herb soup base, and ate a lot fish, beef, and mushrooms. Thermoelectric serves free drinks of taro milk tea, green milk tea, and passion fruit juice.

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow hike






 

I joined a Friends Hike this Saturday taking Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow to Snead Farm Road loop for 12 miles with 2,200 feet elevation gain. It started in 25f and warmed up to 30sf. No snow, some ice on the trail, but nothing to worry about. My winter boots weight double of my trail shoes thus slowed me down.
I skipped the winery stop after hike to shop for groceries and ran almost 5 miles. I was too hungry to run 8 miles as planned.

Saturday, December 07, 2024

Christmas-theme friend’s hike @ Harpers Ferry








 

On Saturday, I joined a Christmas-theme friend’s hike @ Harpers Ferry (Maryland Height and Loudoun Height for 14 m with 3200 feet elevation gain). We took a lunch break at the train station. Amtrak and MARC (Maryland Rail Commuter) run between Union Station in DC and Harpers Ferry. Some of us participated in the line dance event led by Victorian Dance Ensemble. I found out other events fr the future: horse-drawn carriage rides, making a 19th century-style ornament to take home, hand-made goods & sewing demonstration, etc.
After getting back to Reston, I tried to attend the Reston Winter Festival but couldn’t find parking. Then I picked up my surprise bag from Whole Food that I reversed via Too Good To Go app last night to get $30 worth of food with $10. I am disappointed to get six pieces of turkey caprese and one box of string beans with $10.
I ran 6 miles Sunday afternoon in 60f, to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Saturday, November 30, 2024

hike on Mt Marshall, and Bluff Trail






 

I took a meetup hike on Mt Marshall, and Bluff Trail for 15 miles with 2700 feet elevation gain in 30-40f. Although it was in 20s the night before, there was no ice on the trails.
I over-dressed with too many layers and pants which were peeled off and stuffed into my backpack. We over-shot on Bluff trail then back track, and later decided to skip Big Devil Stairs.
Since I hiked 15 miles on Tuesday already,I had more than enough miles for the week to count into my 20 hike/run weekend mile goal. I didn’t run after today’s hike.

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Happy thanksgiving!















 Happy thanksgiving! I was invited to three Chinese families’ joined gathering to enjoy wonderful food and conversations.