Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and Leesylvania State Park

 

My eye surgery Monday afternoon went well, and the doctor told me to live my life as usual. Since I already took Tuesday off, I joined a meetup hike for 15 miles with 1100 feet elevation gain over the scenic Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and Leesylvania State Park.

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk traverses Neabsco Creek to provide access to wetlands of tall grasses and marsh with blue herons, wood ducks, mallards, etc. The 500-acre Leesylvania State Park is on the banks of the Potomac River with boat launch docks, sandy beaches, and canoes/kayaks for rent. The weather was cool yet sunny.

roasted whole lamb feast 烤全羊宴

 

It was my first time to eat a roasted whole lamb feast 烤全羊宴. The freshly roasted steaming lamb was really tasty. The pancakes were fluffy yet crispy inside, and they paired perfectly with the lamb. The braised beef brisket melted in my mouth. The cold rice noodles were very refreshing. The chicken soup was stewed with free-range chickens and added with various mushrooms raised on the farm, which was very fragrant. We ate and sung karaoke in the yurt.

I was invited by a friend to join a Chinese group for the feast, and I ran into a hiker who I hiked many times (including yesterday). I misunderstood her as too shy to chat. In fact, she is pretty chatty, especially in Chinese.

Happy farm

24400 Old Hundred Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842

Here was the menu:

1: Roasted whole lamb 烤全羊 (about 37 pounds in total)

2: Chicken soup 鸡汤

3: Beer duck 啤酒鸭

4: Braised beef brisket 红焖牛腩

5: Sauce platter 酱味拼盘

6: Spare ribs stewed with kidney beans 排骨炖芸豆

7: Small green vegetables with fresh mushrooms 小青菜配鲜菇

8: Cucumber, black fungus and bean curd 黄瓜木耳腐竹

9: Cold rice noodles 凉拌米线

10: Homemade pancakes 自制烤饼

Overall Run - Heiskill Hollow Loop hike

 

I joined a meetup hike along Overall Run - Heiskill Hollow Loop, Long Version for 16.5 miles with 3600 feet elevation gain on a cold day. There was some snow left from last night. I took several photos, and shared the better photos took by other hikers.

The trails were covered with leaves and quite slippery. I fell twice and got some bruises on my legs.

I did some grocery shopping after the hike, and then ran 3.5 miles in the dark to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Theater J : Prayer for The French Republic

 I went in DC this Sunday to usher for Theater J Performance: Prayer for The French Republic. The play digs into worry of safety of a Jewish family living in post–World War II Paris and their descendants in 2016–2017. DC down town was kind of empty this afternoon. Did I feel safe walking by homeless by myself this afternoon? Not really. There are hate crimes targeted Asians as well.

White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run Loop plus Hawksbill peak

 

I joined a friend’s hike on Saturday over White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run Loop plus Hawksbill peak for 13 miles with 3500 feet elevation gain. It was cold and windy half of the time.

There was delay due to an slow uphill hiker, so I got back home already dark after a winery stop and grocery shopping. I was too busy to run on Sunday, so I ran ~ 5 miles Monday afternoon plus 2 mile jog from Metro to Theater J on Sunday, I completed my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Sam’s Ridge, Hazel Mountain and Hazel River Trails

 

I took a meetup hike along Sam’s Ridge, Hazel Mountain and Hazel River Trails for 13.2 miles with 3200 feet elevation gain in a perfect early winter weather. I managed to stay try after several stream crossings.

We shared some drinks after the hike, and done of us re-group at the winery for another run. It was too dark to run Saturday late afternoon, so I ran 7 miles on Sunday to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.