Boiling Springs, PA (USA)

I squeezed the most juice I could out of the AT this weekend - no doubt! It was raining when I woke at the Holly Inn, but I dressed accordingly and parked the car near PA-174 (in a pretty little town, Boiling Springs). Hiked back up to the top of the ridge (near where I stopped last night) where the old AT midpoint used to be located and marveled at the view of the Cumberland Valley below. Rain stopped, so I backtracked to PA-74. Had to slog through mud all the way but (now that I made it into the valley: goodbye to South Mountain) it was all relatively flat. A bigger problem this whole weekend was the unleashed dogs I encountered periodically, ranging from very friendly to downright vicious. Fortunately, I didn't have to run or fight - the owners were usually nearby... Thought about pushing farther today - still feeling good - but more incoming rain made me call it quits at 12 miles. Plus, the drive home is getting longer every time! Stopped at Fort Detrick again for some good beer and then headed home (via US-15, I-270, I-495). All around: a great weekend on the trail! AT today = 6.04 / Grand Total = 309.74.

Mount Holly Springs, PA (USA)

Slept later than I intended (making up a sleep deficit from earlier in the week...) and then spent an hour encountering road blocks that prevented me from using my bike (to avoid backtracks). In the end, I even had to "re-hike" a section of AT from yesterday to get started (uughhh). It didn't end up mattering, though - I used every remaining second of the daylight (including dusk) of this warm day and hiked 20 miles! I felt a difference from my last attempts at this distance (July & August) - this time, I was on my feet, trying to keep it all from ending... I moved the car twice, finishing two sections (Pole Steeple Trail to Tagg Run Shelter, PA-94 to Alec Kennedy Shelter). Highlight was a series of rocky areas (on the map, they were appropriately called "mazes") where I encountered climbers with huge "fall mats" - it looked like fun, if just a little on the edge of insanity. Also encountered lots of holly on the mountain - perhaps the source of the nearby town's name... Bittersweet moment, though, was realizing I've finished all of Michaux (pronounced "mishwa") State Forest - it is now one of my favorite parts of the AT. Returned to the Holly Inn and soaked my bones. Whew! Later, went down to the pub and joined in with the karaoke singing. Had a great time with my new friends: Colby, Kelly, Dan and Tom. Bed late... Total today on AT = 9.68 miles / G.T. = 303.7 (200 miles since August 23!)

Mount Holly Springs, PA (USA)

Left work in DC at 1230 and made it back to Michaux SF by 1430 (via I-395, GW Parkway, I-495, I-270, US-15, PA-94). I'm planning two to three days of trail time before work starts again. Found a good place to park near Mt. Holly Springs so I could maximize the daylight. Hiked between PA-94 and Tagg Run Shelter. Temps were sooo nice - sun just above the western ridge kept me warm with just two layers until after it disappeared completely. Logged 6.5 miles and scouted tomorrow's route. Only saw one person (probably Mennonite)... Once I got back to my car, I headed into town. Spent the night at hiker friendly place called the Holly Inn. Ate dinner and had some drinks in the pub - good all around. They actually had a live band tonight at their pub (karaoke tomorrow - hmmmm...). Before going to bed, I called my friend George to congratulate him on his engagement. Excited for tomorrow! I'm starting to think that with enough time, I can get the whole AT finished! Total today = 3.2 miles / Grand Total AT = 294.02 miles.

Front Royal, VA (USA)

Headed to Shenandoah NP before sunup (via I-495, I-66, US-29, US-211) - warm weather predicted. Saw a beautiful sunrise! The only tough thing to contend with today was a strong wind. After parking my car at Thornton Gap, rode my bike north on Skyline Drive to Elkwallow before it was officially open (8 miles). Saw more deer than ever - fearless and fat. Hiking back to my car, found that the trees were good shielding from the blustery breezes that tried to take my hat. Went between being certain that gloves and three layers of clothes were needed and (because of the sun) a feeling I could get away with short sleeves... Passing my car, continued up a steep climb to Mary's Rock. Saw several families out for a Christmas stroll to see the spectacular view. I made good time through around 12.5 miles of hiking before I was done. Feeling good all around - a great day (and made room for pie)! Drove home (used I-66 and I-495) and got cleaned up. Drove down to Woodbridge (on US-1) and had a great Christmas dinner with Kelly and her family. It was fun to hang out with them (especially, the kids' post-Christmas frenzy of toys...). Headed home around 2100 and talked to my kids on the way. It was snowing a little bit and I got a little disoriented. Ended up on Fairfax County Parkway eventually, though, and then made it to my house. Very tired... Total AT today = 10.01 miles / G.T. = 290.82 miles

Washington, DC (USA)

[all day at work, the girls were texting me about getting together - so I asked Nicky to drop them off at the Metro and have them come down to go to Mass and have dinner - only Brenna and Mollie ended up showing up at L'Enfant (1600) but I was still happy - we took the Metro farther (to Foggy Bottom) and then walked over to St. Stephen Martyr - like my last visit to the parish, it was great to to listen to Kim's concert ("Prelude") before Mass and the girls enjoyed the Homily - after it was over, we wanted to meet up with Kim but she had to race to another service - I had wanted to take the kids to dinner but we figured out (too late) that almost all the restaurants were closed (before 1900!) - OK, I realize that it was Christmas Eve, but really? - ended up trying several (Pentagon City, etc.) and eventually headed back to my car at Huntington - we drove down US-1, looking for more restaurants but had no luck until we located a TGI Friday's (2015) - we were immediately told that they were closing at any minute but we sat down anyway - our food took about another hour and a half (!) and we had to wait on some domestic abuse that was going on in the bar - until then, the music had been blaring so loud that I could barely think - once the guys from DC finished beating up their woman friend (and all the people in the place got out their smart phones to document the drama) the music stopped - the police and paramedics eventually came by - we had a good meal, despite the troubles, it was a good visit and I was sad to have to drop them off... - got home very late]

Indian Head, MD (USA)

[had a chance to spend the whole day with Mollie - picked her up at around 0845 and drove her to the nearby TopGolf, where Bob and I sometimes hit the driving range - today, they were hosting a kids Holiday Party, complete with free golf, breakfast and meet up with Santa - Mollie was interested in hitting the balls (and scoring points!) and we enjoyed several games with the father/son pair we got teamed with - breakfast was good, but the demand far outstripped the food that was available (we were lucky to eat, actually) - after we finished our fun (around 1130), we got gas and then drove over to Maryland - my customer (Bob) has been telling me about his Christmas Tree Farm near Nanjemoy for several years - figured we'd check it out, since the weather wasn't too bad - we drove down to Indian Head and it looked like it would be easy to find - however, we got a little turned around on MD-6 and had to backtrack to eventually locate the dirt road where it was located - it was well worth the effort, though, since he was very glad to see us - he showed us around and we watched him sell a tree to a last-second-desparate couple - we walked around on his wife's ancestral farm and enjoyed the beach along the Potomac (lots of animal tracks, no wind, sandy) - Mollie didn't want to leave but it started to get darker - she also mentioned she wanted to see a movie with me before the day ended - so, we stopped for a late lunch at Burger King in Indian Head and then headed north to I-495 - drove over to Kingstowne, where we ended up watching the "Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies" (it was good!) - Nicky started freaking out about where we were by that point, so I took Mollie directly home - it was a great day with her (I hope for more, now that school is out for a few days...)]

Washington, DC (USA)

[one of our co-workers was leaving the company today, so we planned a farewell lunch at Hill Country BBQ - when we arrived (1130), we found out they were closed for a private event - moved down the street to Bar Louie's and had a great lunch - went back to work - later, went to Chevy's for drinks and dinner with Stephanie - home around 2100]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - took Metro with Sabrina to Pentagon City - met Jim R. and Kelly at Epic for dinner and drinks - later, went next door to party with friends (at Gramercy) - stayed pretty late - home just before midnight]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - then party at Joe R.'s (River House) - finished around 2200]

Paris, VA (USA)

Got up around 0530 (tough, because of the previous night), packed quickly and drove out to the AT trailhead west of Purcellville on VA-7. I didn't have to stop for almost any lights on the way (miracle) and made it right at 0700, as planned. I'd been waiting to complete this section of the AT since late July ("near death" experience). This was the last part of a longer 154 mile section, extending from northern Shenandoah NP to northern Michaux SF. Thanks to a generous ride from my friend, Lee, I was able to hike the eight peaks that fell in quick succession between Ashby Gap and the Bears Den Rocks without a backtrack. The weather was pleasant but there was a cold winter wind to contend with all day. In addition, the walk was accompanied by the disconcerting sound of old trees creaking to their breaking point. Saw just a few people today: one lady ("Tree Hugger") and her dog, who was training on this section for a through hike (and lamented release of recent hiking movies); a teenage couple, who were startled when I interupted their canoodling ("I like your hat"); a couple in their 20s who apparently took a wrong turn into the Rollercoaster area; and an older man who seemed to be hiking the area for fun. When I reached Bear's Den Rocks, it was great to know I was on the home stretch - but it got windier and colder. Finished at my car well ahead of my own schedule. It took me six hours but I'm proud to say that I didn't need to stop very often. Could not have done this nine months ago... I conquered the Rollercoaster! Drive home (VA-7 to I-495) took much longer but still at the house by 1500. AT today = 11.34 miles / Grand Total = 280.81 miles.

Arlington, VA (USA)

Took Ol' Reliable out on the Mount Vernon Trail today - I wanted to finish the northernmost section before the weather sours... Got an early start (0730) and parked near Reagan National Airport. First, I rode to Roslyn, past Theodore Roosevelt Island, until I joined the Custis Trail. The weather was brisk and clear - I saw very few other people (mostly joggers). The view of the monuments across the Potomac was nice, especially with the sun so low to the east. I watched c...rew rowers and large groups of waterfowl as they floated on the calm water. There was a huge traffic jam on the GW Parkway (rally in DC) but it didn't slow me down... Backtracking, I finished the bike trail on the south side of the airport (where it joined Four Mile Trail) around 1300. Altogether, I fit in around 11 miles - another trail in the books... The brakes on the bike have worn down to nothing during the last 20 years, so I took her over to Spokes Bike Shop in Belle Haven - they made Ol' Reliable just like new (now I can actually stop when I want!) in about an hour... She is ready for much more trail riding in 2015! Picked up some toys on the way home for the company Toys for Tots drive. Went home for several hours and cleaned myself up, getting ready for our company Holiday Party. Drove to pick up Stephanie at her place off Columbia Pike and encountered major traffic on I-395. Used back roads (e.g., Mount Vernon) to get back to Old Town, where we got Sabrina. The party was being held at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City (very fancy) and we were the first ones there (1800). We drank at the bar until the company happy hour began and then we mingled (with some good snacks!) for another hour. By the time we were seated for dinner, it was quite late (2100). Had to split up our merry band (seating arrangements) and I found myself at the "old folks" table somehow... Still had a great time (outstanding food) and watched some of our friends win door prizes. When the dance floor opened up, it was already around 2230. Most people left, but we had a diehard contingent of people from my office who stayed very late, enjoying the chance to let their hair down. I ended up in a very interesting salsa dance with Dirse (had no idea what I was doing but made it through without falling down...). Kept looking at my watch, since I had promised to meet Lee at 0700 in the morning - ended up staying far later than I planned (but that was a good thing, really). Eventually, Sabrina and Stephanie were ready to go, so I drove them home. It was past midnight by the time I got back on I-395 (thank goodness there was little traffic). Settled into bed and fell right to sleep, fortunately...

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - went to Chevy's for dinner with Stephanie - home around 2100]

Fayetteville, PA (USA)

Up at 0600 - ready to go! After a good breakfast at Flamingo, drove up onto South Mountain. The full moon was stunning - could have hiked without the sun... But the earth spins, doesn't it? With some recce (driving on Ridge Road), I found a way to use my bike to get the most out of the cold, clear day on the AT. It was great, all around - almost 19 miles of hiking and 7 miles of biking - sunrise to sunset! Only saw four people all day (all in the State Park). Today, I hiked from Birch Run Shelter to Pole Steeple Trail - just love Michaux State Forest... Very cold on the front (ice everywhere) and quickly declining temps near the end (gloves, hat, triple layers required). What a day - is this the last one in 2014? AT Total today = 12.44 miles / G.T. = 269.47 miles.

Hancock, MD (USA)

Rain everywhere... Thought the day would be a bust until it occurred to me to just go biking anyway! At noon, I drove northwest to the WMRT again, hoping to put some more distance on Ol' Reliable (she is celebrating a 20 year birthday in a few months!) and finish the trail. From mile marker nine (with backtrack to six), I rode through cold raindrops on slippery pavement, saw no people (even in the Town of Hancock when I rode through), dodged more than 25 white-tailed deer (a...nd hunters - but not together) and saw some good views of the Potomac. Along the way, the weather tried to demotivate me - my goal was the end (mile marker 22) but I thought about turning around at several earlier mile markers. Ultimately, I figured I was already soaked and frozen - why not just finish? So I did: total was 32 miles - most ever on my mountain bike and most on ANY bike in several decades! Leg muscles very sore when I finished, but I recovered quickly. Afterwards, repositioned near Michaux State Forest for some AT hiking tomorrow (in the sun). Stayed at the Rite Spot Motel again (AT Hiker Guide sure has saved me money this year!).

Falls Church, VA (USA)

[drove to work - afterwards, Vie - then Track Meet at TJ - working in storage building]

Washington, DC (USA)

[after work, went to Vie - then Acadiana (in cab) to celebrate Kelly's BDay - Metro home around 2030]