World IP Day Eve Reception & ushered 1st time @ the Ford Theater

 

I went in DC for a World IP Day Eve Reception, and then ushered 1st time @ the Ford Theater. "Grace" is a good musical of African American family values and dynamic. 

 

Ford's Theatre opened in August 1863, and it is infamous as the site of the assassination of United States President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. If you ever visit Washington DC, I highly recommend taking the free walking tour of "Lincoln's Assassination." I toured Ford's Theatre before, but 1st time ushered here and had to learn the seating to guide the patrons.

Fairfax Veg Fest 2022 & First Stage Theater "The Mamalogues"

 

Sunday morning, I stopped over my first local festival after COVID: Fairfax Veg Fest 2022, and then headed to the First Stage Theater to usher a play The Mamalogues. I must admit this satirical comedy was not my cup of tea.

 

As to the vege festival, I tuned up my bicycle Saturday afternoon to ride there. However, it was too hot to ride there, so I will find anther time to ride my bike. There were some interesting vegetarian food like vegan crab cakes, shrimps, pull pork, etc., but I only tasted some mushroom jerky.

13-mile AT hike

 On Saturday, I attended a meetup hike to Byrd's Nest Shelter via Pass Mountain and Appalachian Trails for 13 miles with 2800 feet elevation gain. We had two dogs on the hike, and it was a pretty relaxing and easy hike. Then I ran 7 miles to complete my 20 hike/run weekend miles goal. The weather is getting warmer.

Hot Spot Hot Pot lunch

 

A too-much food and fun Friday! I met a friend for hot pot lunch and then attended an Earth Day happy hour event at a nearby senior living facility. Yes, I am old enough to get such invitation.

For the lunch, each of us got a $13.6 Groupon (as $30 value) to enjoy all the food you can see on the bar table. Had I known the size of each serving, I would have ordered half of everything.

For the happy hour, I really enjoyed the live band and the coconut rum; nevertheless, I could only taste one of each item from the manu: lamb chops, coconut shrimps, bacon scallops, cookie & cream cup, after my big lunch. By the way, they gave me an Earth Day t shirt too. So glad to get back to social life after COVID.

Patent litigation financing and patent pools conference in DC

 I went in DC for an informative half-day conference on 3rd party patent litigation financing and patent pools. I also made new friends from UK and VA. The food and conversation during the post-conference dinner at Chef Geoff’s were pretty interesting as well.

Triple Robertson hike 17.2 miles 6010 feet elevation

 

I organized this strenuous triple Robertson hike with 6 friends. One had car issue on the way to the trail head, and the other had heat exhaustion issue to bail out at the 2nd loop. Finally, four of us finished 17.2 miles 6010 feet elevation gain hike in 7.5 hours. Super hikers Hunt, Brian O and Hiromi could have finished in 6.5 hours but for waiting on slow me.

I did 1st loop with good time, 2nd loop got hot and slower, yet the 3rd loop was in pain from leg, toes, and even arm cramps. I tried everything I had like energy blocks, fig newtons, electrolyte drink, pain killers, water, protein bars, but cramps came back every 200 feet so I was very slow at the 3rd loop. But I toughed it out, and even ran downhills with cramps to catch up with the super hikers.

Anyway, l felt better after 1.5 hr carpool ride back in town, went grocery shopping, and magically ran 3.25 miles in Reston without cramps (so I still finished my 20 ran/hike weekend miles goal). I will rest well at home on Sunday, while the three super hikers taking a 20-mile hike. They are hiking machines!

15-mile hike Duncan and Strickler Knob

 

I hiked with friends in the George Washington National Forest today on Massanutten Trail & Scothorn Gap Trail, first to Duncan and then Strickler Knob for a total of 15 miles and 2500 feet elevation gain. I skipped rock scramble up to the tip of Duncan. A lot stream crossings, flooded trails, windy and temperature fluctuated between 35-50 f. We managed to get via all those, and then had drinks after the hike.

I went shopping items for next weekend Triple Robertson mountain hike, then ran 5 miles to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.