Another
wonderful and relatively cool hike in July! 12-m 3000 feet gain from
Panorama to Marys Rock and Cave Falls in SNP, and ran into my old hiking
pal
at Mary’s Rock. I haven’t seen him in person for years! I thought it
would have been hot in the afternoon, but it turned out to be in 80sf
with breezes. Lucky us.
The first hike led by Wanda was a great success! Everyone kept good pace during this 11-mile 2700
ft gain hike from panorama to Pinnacles Picnic Area, and it was in 80s f
most of time (much cooler than the city in 90sf). Not as many people at
Mary’s Rock due to the heat forecast.
My
12.6 mile 2400 feet elevation gain hike with friends in the Sky Meadow
State Park turned out to be cool, fun, and tasty (lots of raspberries).
We ran into two AT via-hikers, and my old friend and trail-runner
Michael J. Carlson who left me in the dust after a quick elbow bump.
I met up with Rachel at Bike Lane Parking Lot next to W&OD trail at 6:00 am for a
morning long run. I did 10 miles and turned back from Vienna downtown,
while she did 13.1 miles. She also kindly shared her homemade sticky
rice cakes (red bean paste inserts) with me, which were especially
delicious after 10-m run.
After
the 12-mile hike yesterday, I ran 8 miles in the shades along Fairfax
country parkway trail. This is the only place I truly appreciate the
soundproof walls which shade the trail in the morning. I log in ~ 20 m
each weekend to ensure I can travel nonstop for 3 months each year.
Cannot wait to travel overseas again!
I
had a fun 7/4 hike with meetup group for 12.3 miles with 2750 feet
elevation gain covering Compton Peak/ Lands End / Hickerson Hollow. We
finished uphills before 11 am, had lunch next to a waterfall, saw a
hiking cat, four horses on the trail, and enjoyed cool drinks and
watermelon at the end of hike offered by two generous hike leaders.
Thumbs up! We hiked mostly in 80s f, except the last tiny uphill back to
the parking, while it was boiling at 90s f in town. Glad I went hiking
in the cool mountains.
I
enjoyed my 1st post-covid BBQ party last night with three friends in Alexandria, and did 7 miles run this morning to make up for yesterday’s
short hike before the weather gets too hot.
I
enjoyed a 13 m 2300 feet elevation gain hike in SNP with a group from
the crowded Dickey Ridge trailhead - Fox Hollow to Snead Farm Road. Many
cyclists started from the same spot too. We stayed cool under shades
around 80f most of the time and had a relaxing lunch break at the
visitor center. I only noticed a wasp stung on my finger when I got
home.
I
skipped the hike Cedar Run-Hawksbill-WOC since the weather forecast
rain, and it did rain again around noon. Anyway, I ran 13.1 miles (half
marathon) this morning, and saw a rabbit, a blue bird, a group of
bikers, a few runners, and wild flowers.
