12-m hike to Big Schloss

I enjoyed hiking in the GWNF for 12.5 miles long with an elevation gain of 2,484 ft on a sunny yet cool spring day. The rocky Big Schloss peak provides a beautiful view of the surrounding valley. Thanks to hiker leader Karen sharing delicious homemade cookies and fellow hiker Tam generously treating me a hot cocoa.

Signal Knob & reservoir

Enjoyed this sunny, dry, and relatively warm Sunday with 4 other hikers hiking 12 miles with 2542 feet elevation gain near the Signal Knob, and we explored the reservoir.

Gene's 10th Annual Hangover Hike

I took Gene's 10th Annual Hangover Hike - Buzzard Rock to kick start 2019. I remember I first started hiking in DC area was back in 2001 and I haven’t seen Gene and Joanna more than 12 years! Nice to see them happy and healthy after so many years! It was an unusually warm winter day, and I was sleepy in the morning from the new year eve party.

Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant in Chantilly

I hiked with a friend for 7 miles on Appalachian Trail roller coaster then tried the Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant in Chantilly that is run by a Taiwanese family on Saturday. Their reddish cakes (蘿蔔糕) is pretty authentic, and the other two dishes: mushroom family (fresh shiitake, enoki, king oyster, and white mushrooms sautéed with soy protein in brown sauce served on a bed of crispy egg noodles) and Manchurian palace (marinated soy protein sautéed with vege) were tasty too. I ran 16 miles @9:55 per mile on Sunday to make up this week’s workout.

Holiday Open Mike Tysons [Stand-up Comedy]

I attended Holiday Open Mike Tysons [Stand-up Comedy] @ Tysons Biergarten, which was so hard to get to and finally got there after looping around three times. The jokes were not as funny as those I heard in DC comedy clubs, but much closer to my house.

Nova Labs Holiday/Christmas Makers Potluck 2018

I baked a carrot bread to attend Nova Labs Holiday/Christmas Makers Potluck.

15-m winder hike

I had a very windy hike (20-25 mph) at times with a meetup group Loop around the AT, Corbin Cabin and Stony Man for 15 miles (24 kms) with 3900 feet (1188 meters) elevation gain. I felt like naked (32f; 0c) when stepped out of the car on skyline drive! Two tricky stream crossings. I wore sunglasses to block the wind, not the sun. Anyway, I felt it was better than last Saturday cold rainy 15-mile 2500 feet elevation gain hike dragging my 2-lb wet hiking boots. No matter how good your rain gears and waterproof boots are, they get wet after 2-hour in the winter rain!

minority banker holiday reception

I attended a minority banker holiday reception which honored five members who contributed to the local communities. We had a networking session sharing Christmas traditions. Mine was enjoying Christmas as much as I could wherever I was.