1st Stage theater: The Phlebotomist

 I ushered @ First Stage theater at Tysons Corner this Sunday afternoon. My task was checking patrons vaccination cards and photo IDs. This dark, gripping science-fiction romance story has an ending that wet my eyes. You can read its review here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/.../Photos-Inside-Look-at...

14 miles hike along Pine Hill – Broad Hollow Loop

 

We hiked 14.1 miles with 4050 feet elevation gain along Pine Hill – Broad Hollow Loop in the Shenandoah National park. Super windy and cold when reached Skyline Drive yet dry and calm the rest of the hike.

Although my insulated pants was hot when uphills (so I stripped down to t-shirt), it kept me warm in the wind and when stopping. 

 

I skipped grocery shopping to run 6 miles after the hike and before dark, to complete my 20 hike/run weekend mile goal.

13-mile Overall Run Long Version hike

 

27 of us took Overall Run Long Version hike for 13 miles with 3100 feet elevation gain in the Shenandoah National Park. It was 65f on Friday so most trails were clear with little snow while some muddy.

Stream crossings were not a problem yet my trail runners got wet, so I hiked in wet sock for 2-3 hrs (bearable in 50f weather).  I ran 7 miles after grocery shopping to meet my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal, since it will snow tonight.

Robertson Mountain/Corbin Mountain/Nicholson Hollow hike

 

I hiked Robertson Mountain/Corbin Mountain/Nicholson Hollow for 12 miles with 2900 feet elevation gain with a new meetup group on this sunny yet cold day (25-30f).

The worst stream crossing was 1.5 miles from the end, and pretty tough due to high water level and freezing cold water. I used booties but water flooded into them, so that my winter boots and insulated pants were soaked. I changed socks and shoes in the car then joined some hikers at a nearby winery after hike.

Since the bottom of my insulated pants were still wet, I went home as soon as I could to change into running outfits. But I only ran 3 miles as it got dark and cold quickly, then I ran 5 miles on Sunday.

Farewell hike for leader Pietro

 

We grouped together for the last hike in the area led by one beloved hike leader Pietro before he moved south. The 12-miles 2150 feet elevation gain hike was on the Appalachian Trail to summit High Knob and came back to the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter for lunch.

After the hike, we rejoined at the Barrel Oaks Winery for Pietro’s farewell party. I cannot count how many time I hiked with him during the past few years, but I am sure he will enjoy his retirement in the warmer south with his lovely wife Denise, and we will visit them to hike in the area.

I ran 8 miles on Sunday to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal, since it was too dark to see black ice on the road Saturday late afternoon.

Old family photo

 My uncle in Vancouver (my mom's brother) sent me this airport photo, and told me the death of my aunt (my mom's sister) last weekend. This aunt married an American soldier (in the photo) in Taiwan then moved to USA, and I saw the photo for the first time. Among people in the photo, only me and my elderly brother are still alive.

Below freezing hike

I and 19 other hikers started the 13 mile 2700 feet elevation gain hike at below 0 f (-18c) and finished around 20f (-7c) mostly over icy snow surfaces (so tiring) in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests. We celebrated three hikers’ birthdays at the end of the hike with drinks, cakes, cookies, and laughters. I shared tea eggs (茶葉蛋). My new insulated pants kept me warm but a little too warm for uphill. 

I went grocery shopping after hike, and only ran 3 miles afterwards as my phone went out of battery. I ran 7 miles on Monday to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

hiked 14.5 miles in 20f

I hiked 14.5 miles with 2600 feet elevation gain in 20f yet dry weather with a meetup group today from Sky Meadows State Park to Lost Mountain and back. My iPhone 6s simply shot down in such low temperature, and it was too cold to take off my gloves to take photos anyway. Fortunately, we had a group photo and one fellow hiker kindly took photos for me. Very happy to get out and hike.

To keep warm yet easily delayer, I wore Gortex pants over leggings. I also wore 3M insulation ski gloves. Glad that I had micro spikes to walk on ice for the 1st and last one mile of the hike. There are icy sections on the shady side of the mountain.

Due to the forecast snow, I went grocery shopping and gas after the hike, and ran 5.5 miles to meet my weekend 20 hike/run miles goal.

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.