Bat Mitzvah reception

 

I drove three teens to my friend’s daughter‘s Bat Mitzvah reception, and enjoyed the people, food and wine @ the Winery of Bull Run, where I passed numerous times on my way back from hikes and finally checked it out. When a Jewish girl turns 13, she becomes a Jewish adult. This milestone—called a bat mitzvah. BTW, I photoed with another friend’s son who looks like a Korean idol, and took home the beautiful flower arrangement to enjoy a few more days.

I ran 10 miles in 20f (so cold and my ears almost frozen Saturday morning too late thus missed the Bat Mitzvah ceremony, and I ran another 10 miles in 30f on Sunday.

2022 New Year day hike

 

I and two other hikers were determined to carry out the new year hike tradition, and hiked on the Appalachian Trail between Manassas Gap and Whiskey hollow shelter in rain (yet almost 60f) for 15 miles with 3000 feet elevation gain. My puncho and knee-high gaiters did kept me try except my hair (since my hat was not waterproof). I am very happy to kick start 2022 with a long hike.

I ran 5 miles after the hike to finish my weekend 20 hike/run miles goal.

Christmas dinner.

 I joined family friends’ Christmas dinner.

Pre-Christmas Hike

 

I hiked 13 mile with 3300 feet elevation gain along Sams Ridge Hazel River etc. with a meetup group today right before Christmas.

I went grocery shopping after the hike and then ran 7 miles in the dark to finish my 20 hike/run weekend mile goal before Christmas Day feast!

Hot Pot Legend

 

I introduced hot pot to a friend today who experienced it the first time, although I just had it at a different restaurant last week. Hot pot is such an easy cooking method that all it takes is a simmering pot of soup stock at the dining table, to cook a variety of foodstuffs and ingredients. I had mushroom base soup and a lot of seafood, meat, and vegetables today (almost no starches except lotus roots).

"Hotpot tradition came from Mongol warriors and horsemen who camped outside and had dinner together circled around a pot on the fire – it was a way to keep warm, while eating at the same time." The current trend is each individual has his or her own pot.

Nicholson Hollow/Corbin Cabin Loop

 

I hiked 15.3 miles with 3600 feet elevation gain with a group in 50f along Nicholson Hollow/Corbin Cabin Loop via AT and Indian Run Trails. I fell in one stream crossing and soaked at the early on of the hike yet it was warm enough to air dry my pants and part of my boots. It rained at the end of the hike so we rushed via one spot without taking a group photos.

Thanks to leader Wanda for the taste eggnog and banana breads and Ji-hyeon For the brownies.

I ran 4.7 miles after the hike to finish my 20 hike/run weekend miles goal.

Hike + Hot Pot

 

On Saturday, l hiked with a few friends on the difficult run trail to Great Falls National park for 12 miles, and then tried the hotpot buffet at the mosaic district.

On Sunday, I ran 8 miles to meet my 20 run/hike miles weekend goal.

Social

 I enjoyed social life today with a Chinese lunch at Mama Chang and a meetup at Reston Town center.