12-mile Dicky Ridge hike

 

I went hiking with two friends on the Dicky Ridge for 12 miles with 2200 feet elevation gain in a spring like weather. The visitor center is still under renovation. We had lunch outside of the visitor center. There were purple flowers blooming on our way down. We also stopped by the Apple House to have some food.

I have been worrying about the war in Iran for the whole day. Hope all will turn best for the Iranian people and the world.

I ran 3.25 miles after the hike. Plus my weekday run 4.5 miles, I logged in about 20 hike/run miles this week.

Year of the Horse hikers party

 

I attended the Year of the Horse hikers party at Front Royal, and enjoyed the wonderful food and conversation. To make the red envelops more exciting, I randomly inserted foreign currencies in some, including Cuban pesos with Che Guevara's face, and Japanes paper folded origami cranes and turtles symboling longivity.

In addtion, I gifted away my worldwide handcarfts and souvenir collocetions by letting each guest picking an item in sequence according to the number on the back of the guest's red envelop and preferences. The items had been laid in my closet for years and finally found better owners who enjoy them.

The collection worth over $1,000 include Vintage Sicilia Cotton Tea Towel & Wall Hang Map Landmark Tapestry form Italy, Vintage Mexico Mayan Aztec Brass And Enamel Wall Hanging Plate Mayan Calendar 11" Hanging brass wall plate décor, 13” Silver Metal Eiffel Tower Tealight Candle Holder Centerpiece Party Paris Décor, Japanese Sake Set (Shuki), silk scarves from museums and famous brands, a pair of handmade Trinket/Gift Box Persian Wooden Handcraft Inlaid form Iran, Vintage Japanese paper origami Kimono doll 13 inches, Wakasumi lacquer sauce bottle, Salzburg Cristal de Flandre 10.25 oz Crystal Whiskey Glass/Tumbler set of 4, Mikasa HOLIDAY ELEGANCE Fine Christmas tree tray, Vintage Mikasa Christmas Bowl, Vintage Gorham Crystal Angel Tea light holder set of 2, Vintage Cloisonne Ornate Chopstick Blue And White Floral Brass And Enamel, Cross Classic Century Medalist Chrome with 23KT Gold Ballpoint Pen (3302), Pilipino multi-color letter opener, a mousepad in Iran carpet design, Man and horse 26.5” x 22.5” original oil painting on canvas, Mayan Native oil painting on 11x8 inch Stretched Canvas, an Indian Banjara mirrorwork boho bag, a black should beg from Iceland, Japanese handkerchief, etc.

I ate too much food, for logging only 17.5 hike/run miles this week (8 miles hike on Monday + 9.5 miles run).

hike in Sky Meadows State Park

 

I hiked with friends in the Sky Meadows State Park in 30s (but felt colder due to humidity) over slushy snow for 8 miles with 1500 feet elevation gain. My hiking boots were soaked after first two hours. Good workout on Presidents’ Day.

I hiked in this park many times, but first time checked out the exhibits and gift shop.

Rachel's Birthday Hike

 

We had a birthday hike for Rachel today at Harper’s Ferry. The group started the hike in 28f (-2c) over icy snow sections towards Loudon Heights. I was too scared to hike over this kind of surface on narrow trail, so I skipped that section and cut to the bridge via road. Unfortunately, the shoulder on the bridge was mostly covered with icy snow as well. So I turned around to hike to Maryland Heights overlook.

Fortunately, the train bridge and the toll path were clear of snow, yet the trail required spikes after the last sunny turn. I walked on the the toll path after the overlook for 4 miles to get more exercise (the farther sections were covered with snow). The trails turned mud in 55f (13c).

I went back to the train station to wait for the group and almost missed the lunch party because my phone didn’t get signals in the station of their text messages for me to meet at the right side of the station. The birthday girl was happy and the potluck food was delicious.

As a part of my spring cleaning project, I brought to the hike brand new backpacks, water bags, travel bags, lunch bags, food bags, etc. that were lying in my closet, to give my hiker friends ; )

I hiked/walked 10.5 miles in Harper’s Ferry, and ran 7.2 miles near my house after the hike. Plus my weekday run 4.13 miles, I logged in 21.8 miles this week.

Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) Winter Potluck Party

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Once a year, I joined Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) Winter Potluck Party to see my friends there, since I no longer take short hikes with them. It was 20f (-7 c) and felt like 10f (-12 c) outside today, but I made my way there by Metro trains to North Bethesda and made new friends over delicious food. There were over 100 people signed up, yet around 40 people showed up due to the cold weahter, icy snow road coonditions, and Super Bowl.

I made avocado beet salad with balsamic vinegar which was popular and led me to a couple who liked my salad. They run a tourism business from USA to Nepal, and live in Leesburg. They kindly gave me a ride to Silver line, so I can skip the single-tracking on red line to come back to Virginia.

The event also offered free travel books on a table. I really needed to attend this social event after being trapped indoors by the cold weather for one week. I only logged in 6 miles run this week.