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...