Center Stage in Reston comedy: Four Weddings

 I ushered at the Center Stage in Reston tonight for a comedy Four Weddings and an Elvis. It was 2:10 with one intermission. The organizers used the intermission to raise fund for local scholarships with drinks and wedding cakes matching the scenes of the play. Pretty clever!

Sierra Club's potluck at North Bethesda

 

I switched to usher a play at Theater J this late morning so to attend a hiker potluck on the same day. Unfortunately, the play “Out of Character” was cancelled one hour before the show time when I already arrived at the Theater.

I camped at the theater browsing on my phone until later afternoon then went to the Sierra Club's potluck at North Bethesda. I made new friends and greeted old friends over food, drinks, and conversations.

I was lucky to ride with hiker Lou back to Virginia. Although there was a short delay on the beltway due to a FedEx truck accident, and I waited in Tysons Metro for 15 minutes, I still got home earlier than being stuck by single tracking between Grosvenor and Twinbrook (because of a trespasser struck by a train outside North Bethesda), and transferring at Metro Center.

I hiked with Sierra Club a few times when I just moved to DC, then stopped because of their hikes are too short and easy for me.

Snow hike

 

After a snow storm, I finally hiked today from Mount Marshall Road, then turn left to the Bluff Trail in 5-6 inches of snow for 13 miles with 2200 feet elevation gain. It was very tiring to wear micro spikes walking in snow. The winter boots are lb heavier, the micro spikes add 0.75 lb, plus snow caught on the spikes (~ 2lb extra on my feet for each step). Most of us were tired and skipped Big Devil.

Some of us stopped by the winery after hike. I bought a lot groceries for the snow coming on Sunday and a subsequent very cold week.

I lived in Boston for 6 years but acclimated myself to Washington DC. We haven't had much snow for a few years, so I am used to warm weather and non-snow hikes. Comparing with West coast, we have almost no natural catastrophe (much safer and better for my peace of mind).

New year hike

 

On this new year day, I simply forgot how rocky Buzzard rock trail to Sherman Gap was, thus unintentionally hiked with some friends today for 12.8 miles with about 2,800 feet elevation gain in 20 miles per hour wind!!! I felt that the gusts could blow me off the ridges several times!!!

I am listing this hike in my not to hike list. I hate rocks.