AT hike with paw paw sighting

 I hiked with friends this morning for 12.5 miles with 2200 feet elevation gain out-and-back on the Appalachian Trail south of the Manassas Gap trail up to High Point. The weather was cool and pleasant. We had a snack break at the Jim and Nancy Dent Shelter (with hot water shower), and enjoyed watermelon and drinks offered by kind Steve at the end of hike. 

I did not spot any wild mushrooms yet saw and smelled a ripen paw paw (very fruity).  I tasted one before but not as fruity as the ripen one I found today. 

We tried but couldn’t shake down any paw paws from the trees, and I forgot to take a photo of the ripen one. However, I found one photo for you online.

To make myself feel productive, I asked my neighbor for permission to pick up pears from his tree. I stood on a chair and used my hiking poles to knock down several peers and made them into yummy and healthy smoothies (banana, pear, kale, yogurt and soy milk).

Leesburg cookout

 I aired my bicycle tires to ride about 25 miles this morning on the W&OD trail, after I haven’t ridden over one year. I felt obligated to ride my bike at least once a year (like walking a dog daily).  My riding skills got rusty for turns, snd got intimidated by traffic, so I walked over the Dulles Toll Road to get on the W&OD trail. The weather was nice and cool (overcast yet perfect for biking).

In the late afternoon, I went to a friend’s house/farm in Leesburg for a cookout, including a lot organic food. She has two horses, two dogs, and a few goats. I took home a lot of organic tomatoes.

Bollywood Bistro great falls

 I met up with a friend at this famous Indian restaurant for lunch. OMG. The food (Shrimp briyani & lamb briyani) was very spicy, if not as spicy as those I tasted in southern India. I ate a lot Biryani when traveling in India, which is a mixed rice dish originating among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. Mango lassis (a blend of yogurt, water, spices and fruit) and garlic naans were very good. You got to try it yourself.

1st hike after 2.5 month travel

 I finished 2.5-month international travel and returned to USA on Tuesday, test-ran 6 miles on Thursday, and then hiked 16.3 miles with 3700 feet elevation gain on Saturday with a meetup group along Elkwallow, Knob Mtn, Neighbor Mtn, AT Loop In the Shenandoah National Park in 80s. 

The hike was long and tiring, especially for me in the afternoon with jet leg. I dragged my feet for the last three miles, and then rested at the Elkwallow Wayside with the group sharing homemade banana made by kind Wanda and a drink from Marco. After got home with more hydration, I forced myself to run another 3.7 miles to complete my 20 hike/run weekend mile goal. I drank more than 2-liter and sweated a lot, that I changed the clothes after hike.

BTW, I picked on the trails some eatable wild mushrooms chanterelles (as conformed by a mushrooms PhD), and sautéed with olive oil and garlic on Sunday.

Play: Under the Sea With Dredgie McGee

 I ushered at First Stage Tyson Sunday afternoon for Under the Sea With Dredgie McGee. I cannot spoil the story, but I will tell you that I like the delightful and innovative costumes and prompts designs to express a magical underwater world.

Buck Hollow, Mary's Rock, Buck Ridge 12-mile hike

 

I had a friend’s hike along Buck Hollow, Mary's Rock, Buck Ridge, for 12 miles 3150 feet elevation gain today in blooming wild flowers in the Shenandoah National Park, then we stopped by a winery to taste wine paired with cheese crackers, fruits, and brownies we brought ourselves. What a nice hiking day!

I ran 8 miles under-hydrated in 80f to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.