Cedar Run, Hawksbill, White Oak Canyon Hike

 

On Saturday, I enjoyed a 10-mile 3100 feet elevation gain hike in the Shenandoah National Park (Cedar Run, Hawksbill, White Oak Canyon) with a meetup group today. The sunny 40f weather was perfect for winter hike, and we shared delicious banana bread and Puerto Rican eggnog prepared by Wanda at the end of the hike. What a wonderful day!

On Sunday, I ran 10 miles to meet my 20 run/hike mile weekend goal (I realized the wrong settings of tracking app after 2 loops then reset).

First Stage new play: Secret Things

 

I ushered at First Stage @ Tysons today for a new play: Secret Things. My main task was to check vaccination cards and photo IDs of the patrons. The play lasted 2hrs without intermission which was hard for me to keep my concentration for the story about Mexican-Americans claiming to have hidden Jewish roots.

As said in a review： Secret Things is a theatrical exploration of Judaism, mystery, and romance (a topic more likely for Theater J). I learned a new term: Crypto-Jews who secretly adhere to Judaism while publicly professing to be of another faith. The term is especially applied historically to Spanish Jews who outwardly professed Catholicism to avoid prosecution.

Little Devil Stairs Long Version Hike

 

I am glad that I did the 13-mile 3100-feet elevation gain hike of Little Devil Stairs Long Version in 30f on Saturday with ease (since I lost 10 lb during my 2-month west Europe trip). The weight loss made the hike much easier, although I did not hike for two months.

I am getting back to my weekly 26 hike/run miles ritual to stay fit. I ran 7 miles on Sunday. Hopefully, the ritual will defend me from holiday food weight gain, or even help to drop a few more pound to my ideal weight. Will see.

So happy to hike back home!

Seafood lunch buffet

 

Lunch at seafood buffet with a friend to catch up before my 3-month trip to west Europe. She bought a race horse recently, and invited me to see the race next summer.

The biggest gift I bought for myself was a baby grand piano which turned into a piece of furniture sitting in my house over 17 years after 6-month lessons. LOL

Cool Springs to Raven Rocks & Perimeter 15 miles

 

I took my last hike before 3-month trip to west Europe: Cool Springs to Raven Rocks & Perimeter 15 miles with 2100 feet elevation gain in 70sf. Hiker David found a pawpaw fruit and kindly gave me as a gift for my trip. My carpool stopped by a bakery Mom’s Apple Pie on the way back which has famous pies (including bourbon walnut favor). 

 

I ran 5 miles after the hike to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal. I booked my flight to Lisbon, 1st night hostel, and Covid PCR test tonight.

Lunch at Dumpling Queen

Marshall, Bluff, and Appalachian Trails for 19.5 miles

 A group hike on Marshall, Bluff, and Appalachian Trails for 19.5 miles and 3600 feet elevation gain in 85+ f, and an after-hike birthday celebration for three hikers. I picked some chicken of the wood mushrooms on the trail, and decided to round up the hiking distance as 20 to complete my weekend 20 hike/run mile goal (to hot to run 0.5 mile after hike)

Double Robertson mt trails

 

I hiked with few friends to tackle Double Robertson mt trails (13.5 miles with 4150 feet elevation gain) again this Saturday and succeeded. It was hotter yet less humid than last Saturday, so I felt stronger to finish the steep hike. I signed up triple Robertson mt hike scheduled in October, in case I am forced to drop my western EU trip due to covid restrictions. 

 

I ran 6.5 miles Sunday morning in 70f, to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Robertson Mountain / Corbin Hollow Trail

 

We planned to hike TWICE Robertson Mountain / Corbin Hollow Trail on Saturday but only ONCE (in 70sf) and then switched to lower/easier trails (in 80sf) to avoid thunderstorms. Robertson mt trail has 1700 ft elevation gain in 1.7 miles. Although the forecasted thunderstorms did not occur, the humidity still felt like a natural sauna. We did 12.5 miles with 3000 feet elevation gain. Some of us stopped by a winery after the hike (becoming a tradition now?) and chilled with a glass of wine.

 

It was too hot (in high 80s) to run after the hike, so I ran 7.5 miles Sunday morning to complete my 20 hike/run mile weekend goal.

Little Devil Stairs for 13.2 miles

 

I hiked with a meetup group today on Little Devil Stairs for 13.2 miles with 3000 feet elevation in 70sf. We finished early and stopped by a winery with our own cheese and snacks to pair with wine. It was a a pity that Wanda did not harvest the chicken in the woods mushroom today. I will make sure it will not happen again! BTW, Marco brought a hiking Barbie to the hike for entertainment.

I went grocery shopping, ran 6.8 miles, and cut grass in the yard after the wine tasting. What a day.