Farewell dinner for Marinel

I invited Marinel to dinner at Rockville before she moves to Peru. I wish all will happen as she plans to be a hiking nomad. I first time contacted her in July 2011 to coordinate a backpack trip in Patagonia. We did meetup and overlapped a few days in fall, 2011. Time flies. I continue travel overseas 2-3 months each year, while she quit her job this year after touring the world over one year on leave. Happy for her courage to break the gold handcuff and become a free range hiker!

15.25 miles run in Reston

I ran 15.25 miles in Reston in lieu of the cancelled 15 miles hike due to hurricane Florence. I came across the 8k fund raising crowd and they kindly shared the banana, Gatorade, and bars.

play "Hero's Welcome" at First Stage Tysons

I ushered and watched the 2.5-hr play "Hero's Welcome" at First Stage Tysons tonight. I liked the dark comedy with plots out of my expectation, although a bit slow, but not as bad as Washington Post review.

Hikers' private river front house party in Front Royal VA

The 8-m pre-party Compton Peak hike was wet only for the 2nd half. Thanks to Jennifer Hine for organizing it. The hikers' private river front house party was fun with conversation, food and drinks, especially the mango sangria. Thanks to Chris, David, Xiaobin, and Abe for hosting the event, and everyone coming with food/drink and great smiles. The water was too cold for swimming, kayaking, or tubing today.

Labor Day BBQ

Thanks Devon for hosting a fun Labor Day BBQ party. I surely pumped back my body a lot of protein after long hikes this weekend.

17th Annual Page-to-Stage New Play Festival

I spent 5 hours at 17th Annual Page-to-Stage New Play Festival at Kennedy center to watch two comedies, two musicals, and some other plays. I also toured the Bird room, the Russian lounge, the Chinese Lounge, the Israel Lounge in the Center where I did not see before.

Appalachian Trail roller coaster hike in 11 hours

I made the 20.64 miles (33 km) 6109 ft (1860 meters) elevation gain Appalachian Trail roller coaster hike in 11 hours with Rachel (after hiking 13 miles 3000 ft gain yesterday). I showered and washed off so much salt! I feel invincible and confident that I will finish 41 miles Maryland Appalachian Trail on 9/29/2018! We saw a big eagle resting on a treetop at Rt 7 parking lot.

1.5-mile long 1500 feet gain Robertson hill in one hour

I had a great 13 miles (21 kms) 3000 ft (915 meters) gain hike along Robertson-Indian Run-Nicholson Hollow Trails. Just got a little rain at the beginning and the end. I hiked the 1.5-mile long 1500 feet gain Robertson hill in one hour (with 4 water drinking standing stops), which was faster than before (with sitting stops). My 35-40 miles running/hiking per week training since mid July 2018 helped, and my hiking with shorts also helped. Two hikers jumped into the stream near the end of the hike.