16-m Maryland Height and Loundon Height hike

 

I got a reminder email about Saturday HOA meeting, so I switched from a meetup hike to a closer friend’s hike at the last minute. We finished both Maryland Height and Loundon Height for 16 miles with 3200 feet elevation gain in 5.5 hours (record fast time due to the high winds, excluding lunch break time inside the train station).

Nothing to complain other than the winds. We had a hot chocolate and snacks break after the hike, right on the train platform. It was noisy when the freight train coming via, yet quite a unique experience.

Plus two runs during the week, I had total 23 run/hike miles this week.

Mount Marshal trail with blowdowns

 

I hiked with four friends for 13.5 miles with 2,100 feet Elevation gain on the AT in the Shenandoah National park. AT is well maintained by the volunteer trail keepers. After passing the Grayel Springs Hut, we picked up the Bluff Trail which blowdowns were cleared as much as possible by other volunteers, I assume. So when the National Park Service is being trimmed down, more volunteers chip in?

We hiked up the south Mount Marshal trail to Skyline drive and then the Parking area. Very nice to hike in a spring like day in 50s.

The temperature dropped down to 20s Saturday due to a cold front. I ran 9.5 miles during last week, so I logged in 23 hike/run miles this week.

12-m Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow

 

On Saturday, I took a meetup hike Dickey Ridge - Fox Hollow to Snead Farm Road for 12 miles with 2200 feet elevation gain. The hike stated in 18f (-8c) then warmed up to 40f (4c). I saw some wild flowers and I am looking forward to spring.

It was warmer on Sunday, so I ran 6 miles in the neighborhood. 2 miles shorter than my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal, because I was too thirsty.

Big Devil Stairs hike

 

I finally hiked Big Devil Stairs for 10 miles with 2200 feet elevation gain, after a few weeks of snow or bad weather. I usually take longer hikes, Bui there weren’t other options and I needed to get to the mountains. There were so much blowdown tree branches on the trails to add on oir workouts, adter last week high winds. It was 30f (-1c), yet 20f (-7c) with windchills, so I wore thick pants.

This was also my first hike after the National Park Services got staff cut. The Skyline Drive was close today on Holiday day, to make taxpayers feel the pain?!

Anyway, I got my 20 hike/run miles last week.

The Lake Effect @ the First Stage Theater

 

I went in Tysons for a doctor appointment then camped in the local public library, to see the play The Lake Effect @ the First Stage Theater in the evening.

This captivating drama explores themes of family, identity, and forgiveness, using several surprising twists and turns to tie together this engaging story.

“During a fierce Cleveland mid-winter storm, estranged siblings are reunited by their father's sudden death. In the midst of closing his failing Indian restaurant, they must confront the painful memories and secrets that drove them apart.”

Saturday hike was canceled for icy rain, so I ran 10.5 miles on Sunday plus last Monday and Wednesday runs to make 20 miles this week.

Year of the Snake Celebration

 

I attended Year of the Snake Celebration with hiking friends in Front Royal to enjoy food, drinks, and conversations. Thanks for the host and hostess' preparation of the dishes, snacks, and decorations. I like the tofu mushrooms very much. There were many other kinds of food prepared by the attendees, especially Rachel's wantons, Lisa's shrimps, etc. I should and did only have one drink tonight which I saved for a cocktail by Ann: Cider & Maple Old Fashioned (you should google for the recipe). What a gathering!

Now I am worrying about the calories. I have been lazy with exercises after last snow storm, and only ran 16 miles this week.

Musical "Come From Away" at Capital One Hall

 

I signed up to usher this 911-related musical Come From Away at Capital One Hall months ago. I surely never thought that the whole world is now waiting for the investigation results of the recent DC air-collision, another mind-bothering tragedy.

The musical was based on the true story of a small town's generosity and acceptance of strangers during a crisis. There were many touching moments during the play that wet my eyes. It was amazing how such a remote town of Gander, Newfoundland opened its arms to embrace nearly 7000 passengers of 38 airplanes on September 11, 2001, when the American airspace was closed as a result of terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. & Pennsylvania. You need to see it yourself.

This was the first time I worked at ticket gates at Capital One Hall, more complicated than other venues, but I did ok.