Two receptions in DC

 I went in DC for two receptions, and passed by Capital One Cafe in Chinatown to claim a free drink (picked hibiscus milk tea). The weather was sunny and cool, yet the streets looked empty on Monday.

“The Producers” @ the Center Stage

 I ushered for a famous musical “The Producers” @ the Center Stage in Reston Community Center this Sunday afternoon. This almost 3-hr long comedy has no down time, and kept me entertained. You should see it.

hike Maryland Heights

 

I joined three hikers to hike Maryland Heights for 8.2 miles with 1800 feet elevation gain from the corner parking lot. It rained a little yet cool most of the time. We saw one young man proposed to his girlfriend at the overlook. We also encountered runners of the C&O Canal 100-mile race on the historic C&O Canal towpath. You can find more details: https://cocanal100.com/

I spotted new wild flowers and one Dryad's saddle on the trail, and will cook it later.

I was planning to run 6 miles after the hike but only did 3 miles due to a sudden rain. Plus 6.6 miles run during weekdays, I logged in only 18.1 hike/run miles this week.

DC Wharf Dragon Boat practice

I took Metro to DC Wharf Sunday noon to practice for coming dragon boat race on May 17. Mark your calendar for DC Dragon Boat Festival!

I was planning to taste the Shake Shack Black Truffle Burgers (buy one get one free until 4/27), but too many people waiting so I gave up.

Appreciation Trail heading north from Trumbo Hollow out and back

 

What didn’t kill me today, made me stronger! I joined a friend’s hike on Appreciation Trail heading north from Trumbo Hollow out and back for 16.4 miles with 3400 feet elevation gain. I hiked these sections before, but not with a super hiker with fast speed. I ran at down hills as much as I could to catch up with him. It turned out that I was only 10 minutes behind him. There were three of us, with one did a 12 mile version.

"Some trilliums were in bloom. It can take 7-10 years for a trillium to produce its first flower. While the young, unfolding leaves of some Trillium species are edible, it's crucial to note that these are scarce and delicate wildflowers, and they should only be gathered for food in emergencies. Roots and berries are toxic and can cause vomiting. The leaves, when consumed, have a nutty flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked."

I felt very exhausted after the hike, so I postponed the grocery shopping to tomorrow. Plus 6.6 miles run on weekdays, I logged in 23 hike/run miles this week.

Buck Ridge, White Rocks, Hazel River, Sam's Ridge, and Buck Hollow

 

I took a challenging meetup hike this Saturday in the Shenandoah National Park for 16 miles with 4000 feet elevation gain. Only three of us, while the new hiker and I decided to skipped Sam’s Ridge, to finish the hike just half an hour earlier than the hike leader who did the whole route of Buck Ridge, White Rocks, Hazel River, Sam's Ridge, and Buck Hollow. The hike leader was much faster than us, and we didn't get a change to take a group photo.

Plus 5.8 miles run, I logged in 21.8 hike/run miles this week. I stopped by an open house Sunday afternoon. The housing market becomes more active recently.

Potomac Heritage Trail with Bluebell flowers

I joined a bluebells hike with friends for 19 miles today, mostly flat but a lot of flowers along the Potomac Heritage Trail. Bluebell flowers, particularly Virginia bluebells, typically bloom for about 3-4 weeks in the spring, usually from late March to late May. So you still have plenty of opportunities to see them around.

Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are edible, including the flowers, leaves, and roots, and have been used in traditional medicine. Native Americans used the plant medicinally for pulmonary issues, tuberculosis, whooping cough, and as an antidote for poison.

BTW, one friend shared Mango Sticky Rice Soft Chewy Candy which was pretty tasty.

Plus 6.6 miles weekday run, I logged in 25.6 miles this week.

“Your Name Means Dream” at Theater J

 

I went in DC to usher for “Your Name Means Dream” at Theater J. This story was about an old lady's ageing and loneliness, and she and her AI robot developed mutual bonding based on respect and appreciation. I can envision myself aging with an AI robot likewise.

My Timberland shoes wore for the 3rd time fell apart on the 1-mile walk to Theater J, so people there helped with a glue gun which didn’t work. I then used scotch tap wrapped them around to barely make my way back home. Too bad that I had to drop the plan to check out Cheery Blossom activities at Navy Yard and the Fireworks show.